Watercolor Swap
Alta Ramsey
Hi to Everyone who is participating in the 4 inch watercolor swap so far:
Our objective is to have lots of choices when creating the quilt. I’m
assuming that no one in this swap is especially an expert on this subject
- I definitely am not. But, based on what I know these are the
suggestions for choosing fabric:
Small-scale prints are more difficult to blend and sometimes
appear solid at a distance, therefore we want to use larger prints. Since
florals are the easiest to blend try to stay with these.
Monocolored prints are difficult to blend, so let’s use
multicolored - any print containing more than one color besides black
and white. Strongly contrasted prints are often not useable.
A good variety of light, medium and dark fabrics is essential.
There is often a short supply of the two extremes of very dark and very
light. Send any color. Some people will use all one color, some will use
mixtures. (When I made a heart I used everything from deep maroon red
through a orange through pinks - but had no use for greens.)
Let’s don’t use plaids or checks or prints with very regular
repeats.
The suggested number of squares to be swapped is around 10, but
we may change that.
I insist on 100% cotton.
If you do not prewash, make a note of that.
You will send 10 different 4 inch squares to every name on the list. You
don’t need to send the same 10 to each person, you may use scraps.
If you buy fabric - a quarter yard will yield at least 20 squares
(9inch x 44inch). Simply address the envelopes, cut the fabric with your
rotary cutter and put a square in each envelope.
I will make a list of everyone’s snail mail address and send it to others
on the swap list. (By giving me your addresses by personal e-mail I
assume that I have your permission to do this.) At the same time, I send
your list to you, I will send you my squares. There will also be a copy
of the ‘rules'.
Soon as you get your list - the swap begins. We need a deadline, of
course. I’m thinking maybe July 15. I have ten people so far.
Any suggestions to add?
Alta
Alta Ramsey
About the Watercolor Swap:
I would like to close the list now. I have 20 people and think that's
enough. A quarter yard of fabric will yield 20 squares. I also think 10
squares is a sufficient number to send.
Easy way to do it:
You make 10 piles of squares with 20 squares in each pile, address the 20
envelopes, then put a square from each pile in an envelope. Yes, you're
cutting 200 squares but it goes very fast with the rotary cutter.
I will send my squares to you and the list by next Monday (June 10). You
have until July 15 to get yours mailed out.
Alta