Sensational Strippers Exchange

[Margo C.]

If you have not yet mailed your HSTs, be sure to purchase "forever" stamps for the return package. They will be good after the increase.

Okay, I'm trying to picture all of those "forever" stamps on my envelope. When I took all of my HSTs to the PO, it cost me around $9 each way. One of course, was metered, but the return one had stamps. Large amount stamps. So, if use "forever stamps" I'll probably need around 24, or more!! :shock: :shock: I did receive a padded envelope from my daughter once with 21 stamps on it. It is doable, but you should see how many times the postal clerk had to hand stamp it in order to get enough ink on all of those stamps, so that I could not use a single one, if I was so inclined! :roll: :wink: :lol:

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

Good point, Dawn! DUH! What was I thinkin'???? :shock:

[Teresa B.]

If you have not yet mailed your HSTs, be sure to purchase "forever" stamps for the return package. They will be good after the increase.

I just used my address as the return address so if postage goes up it will come to me postage due. I also used the mail meter at work and did not put a date on it so the post office would not have a problem with the date.

Teresa

[Teresa B.]

They also have Priority Mail stamps. One stamp is $4.95 and can be applied to a flat rate envelope so you don't have to worry about the weight. All of our strips should fit in that envelope.

[Barbara P.]

Hi All:

Yes, the priority flat rate stamp should do - but the key is still to put your address as the return address on the envelope going back to you - this will assure you of getting it, postage due or not.

Our deadline for signing up is Monday :roll:

Thanks to all for sending me emails letting me know your strips are on the way.

I am doing the same as Debbie and Ritzy - I put your name and screenname on a spreadsheet when you let me know your strips are mailed so I can make sure I am on the lookout for them. When they come, I record that they are in my house and that all of your info is there - if not I send you an email requesting the info. I did have 1 package with no count and one with no return envelope. I also record your state and how many strips you sent it. I thought it would be fun to publish the demographics and total count after we are all done.

From what I see through the bags so far, you are all going to love what you get back.

Barb

[Barbara P.]

If you have not yet mailed your HSTs, be sure to purchase "forever" stamps for the return package. They will be good after the increase.

Okay, I'm trying to picture all of those "forever" stamps on my envelope. When I took all of my HSTs to the PO, it cost me around $9 each way. One of course, was metered, but the return one had stamps. Large amount stamps. So, if use "forever stamps" I'll probably need around 24, or more!! :shock: :shock: I did receive a padded envelope from my daughter once with 21 stamps on it. It is doable, but you should see how many times the postal clerk had to hand stamp it in order to get enough ink on all of those stamps, so that I could not use a single one, if I was so inclined! :roll: :wink: :lol:

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

Dawn,

$9.00? My goodness, how many triangles did you mail? You probably would have come out a lot cheaper with a flat rate box, about $4.95. However, I don't how you could provide a flat rate box for the strippers return trip and that probably would be a pain for Margo to get flat rate boxes for everyone. However, I'm not sure how "Forever" stamps would work, since the upcoming rate increase will only effect postage for letters over the current initial rate of $0.44. In other words, postage for a first class letter will remain at the current rate of $0.44. It's my understanding that the value of "Forever" stamps only increase when the $0.44 rate increases, which it will not.

I plan to ask at the time I mail my package what the difference in cost will be after the rate increases, but I will probably mail my batik strips in a flat rate box if that's the most cost effective method.

Please note that my intent is to inform and not to confuse, so I hope that I haven't confused the issue.

[Margo C.]

Nancy, IMHO it's just the US Post Office system that is confusing the issue!! :roll:

[Dawn S.]

Nancy,

I sent my HSTs (probably around 700) in a Tyvek Priority envelope. It didn't need to go priority, but from past experience, the difference from regular mail and priority is only around 50 or 60 cents. And, it was a large envelope. Probably too large, but it is what I had on hand. Two of them. I almost fell over when the postal clerk weighed it out at $9. :x I told Debbie, I would have crammed those little sweeties (neatly, of course) into a $4.95 cardboard envelope, if I had known. You can bet I will do a better job, on the postage end, in this exchange!!!

Dawn,
In beautiful Northwest Montana

[Patti P.]

I just finished making over 1100 HST (some for my quilt) and just started cutting strips. I'm occasionally getting a curved strip that has to be tossed in the scrap pile. I can't get straight strips if I fold more than once. Any tips?

[Patti P.]

Hi All:

Yes, the priority flat rate stamp should do - but the key is still to put your address as the return address on the envelope going back to you - this will assure you of getting it, postage due or not.

Barb

Barb,

So, are you saying that we can send a Priority Mail Stamp along with a self addressed return address LABEL, and you are willing to get the return Priority Mail Envelopes/Boxes on your end? The return envelop might be able to be folded inside the package that we send to you with our strips, but I'm not sure that it can be folded. I sure don't want to create more work for you, but just need clarification.

Thanks!

[Margo C.]

I just finished making over 1100 HST (some for my quilt) and just started cutting strips. I'm occasionally getting a curved strip that has to be tossed in the scrap pile. I can't get straight strips if I fold more than once. Any tips?

Patti, watch Sharon Pederson's video about grain line and see how she folds her fabric! http://daily-blog/107-just-for-fun/1...aight-of-grain

[Patti P.]

Oh thanks Margo. I should have written that I did watch that video but it isn't working on some of the fabric pieces I have. f there's only one selvedge, it is a bit distorted.

[Margo C.]

OK, Patti! If you only have one selvage to work from you can determine the straight of grain by marking a line from two spots that are equal distance from the selvage and using that line as the first fold line. You just have to keep everything absolutely perpendicular and/or parallel to the selvage.

If you don't even have one selvage, you can examine the weave of the fabric and mark a fold line following one of the threads. You can determine if it is a length of grain or a width of grain by the amount of stretch when you pull on it.

[Patti P.]

OK gonna try that measuring technique. I remember the thread pull from sewing garments. Thanks Margo.

[Dawn S.]

OK, Patti! If you only have one selvage to work from you can determine the straight of grain by marking a line from two spots that are equal distance from the selvage and using that line as the first fold line. You just have to keep everything absolutely perpendicular and/or parallel to the selvage.

If you don't even have one selvage, you can examine the weave of the fabric and mark a fold line following one of the threads. You can determine if it is a length of grain or a width of grain by the amount of stretch when you pull on it.

Oh my, I can remember a millennium ago, when I was in 7th grade, and was in a home economics class, learning to sew. To find the grain line, we found that thread you spoke of, and on one end of the fabric we picked a tail of that thread out with a needle. Then carefully pulled and picked the entire length of the fabric. Then we cut, with scissors, ever so carefully in that void where we had pulled the thread out. :shock: LOVE the rotary cutter and 24" ruler! :wink: What a time saver!!

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

[Margo C.]

This is the same principle, but we can usually just mark the apparent straight of grain and go from there. Yep! I did the thread pull/scissor exercise too!! :roll: