CHAPTER 2 - SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING TRIANGLES (cont'd)

[Debbie W.]

SoTTTs Members...SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE SEWING OR MAILING YOUR HSTs---

If you are considering sending HST's in the 600-700 numbers, you may want to rethink those high numbers since there is a very good possibility that you will be getting many of your own back. I've received only a very few packages of 700 and even fewer with 600+, but the majority of the 56 packages received so far have ranged from 84 to the 400s. Based on the many recent emails I've received notifying me packages are now in the mail, the same is holding true in that lower range.

To get an even better variety of HST's, you may want to consider organizing a smaller exchange with your quilter friends, your Bee, or your Guild.

Thanks for thinking about this suggestion!

[Debbie W.]

Approximately how many people are participating now?

[Debbie W.]

Approximately how many people are participating now?

615. We had two honorary spots already reserved for Alex and Ricky just in case. Clara

[Debbie W.]

I don't understand how we could get so many of our own back. I was under the impression that the squares will be distributed to everyone and not just swapped in groups. If they are just going to be swapped in large groups (ie, 28 or more) then I'm not sure I want to participate. If I wanted a bunch of triangles of the same fabric I would just make my own. I appreciate all the work you have done with this exchange but could you please explain how you are planning to swap the triangles?

- If you go in a round then only a few people would end up with two of mine (I was planning to send 672)
or
-if you give out 1 to everyone then the ones left over swap them with someone who also sent a lot

[Debbie W.]

I don't understand how we could get so many of our own back. I was under the impression that the squares will be distributed to everyone and not just swapped in groups. If they are just going to be swapped in large groups (ie, 28 or more) then I'm not sure I want to participate. If I wanted a bunch of triangles of the same fabric I would just make my own. I appreciate all the work you have done with this exchange but could you please explain how you are planning to swap the triangles?

- If you go in a round then only a few people would end up with two of mine (I was planning to send 672)
or
-if you give out 1 to everyone then the ones left over swap them with someone who also sent a lot

No one said they will be swapped in groups of 28, or in any kind of grouping for that matter,...however, if the large marjority of people don't send in 600-700, then obviously there not be enough for everyone to receive all different ones. This has been a concern that we have been addressing and warning about since the exchange started.

[Angie M.]

Hi, my plan was to send 23 sheets or 644, then send one set of 28 for each of the special projects. I bet there will be enough large numbers to make aa good variety swap. If not, I like the ones I did just fine and will just use whatever I get. Just waiting on my tyvec bags to get here. I have really enjoyed this, the first exchange I've ever done and the first blog? (this is a blog, isn't it?) I know a lot more about quilting than computers! Thanks for all of the hard work of organizing and sorting. Angie

[Angie M.]

No one said they will be swapped in groups of 28, or in any kind of grouping for that matter,...however, if the large marjority of people don't send in 600-700, then obviously there not be enough for everyone to receive all different ones. This has been a concern that we have been addressing and warning about since the exchange started.

This is how I would do it: arrange them based on who sent the most down to the least, then start distributing them starting at the most and work in a circle so that when there are 'extras', the people who sent the most will get the duplicates. I would suggest starting with the international ones first (still starting at the beginning of the line, and continuing down the line until everyone has at least 1 international triangle). Then go back and distribute the most triangles. That way, those of us who send over 600 will not get our own back but will still get the most of the duplicates. It will not work out perfectly of course, nothing ever does.

If nothing else, for those of us who send a lot try to swap the extras with someone else who sent a lot so we don't get a lot of our own back.

I really do appreciate all the work you have done and will do.
(Your welcome to put all the packages into a big box and ship them all to me, I'll swap them - I've got a new house that has 3 empty rooms I can use - I'll send them back when they are all done. Like I said, this sounds like fun to me).

[E.M. T.]

Whoa !! Seems we might need MORE folks to send 600+..not less..
so as to have less dup.s returned !

[Debbie W.]

Whoa !! Seems we might need MORE folks to send 600+..not less..
so as to have less dup.s returned !

Probably not a good idea at all, so let's not go there !! If everyone started sending in more than they originally planned, this sorting process could roll into weeks rather than days. Just imagine if 615 members sent in 600 HSTs, that would be 369,000 to be sorted and mailed, and there are not that many people who will be helping us in this process.

[Debbie W.]

Maybe you should set an upper limit. It sounds like your more concerned about the work load. If that is the case then I understand and can appreciate that. Just tell us how many we can send at the most. Idaho is right if at least 50 people send over 600 then most of the duplicates should go to those 50 people and everyone will still get a good assortment. If you are keeping track on a spreadsheet of the amounts that are coming in, I might be able to help you devise a sorting arrangement so everyone gets a good mix.

[Debbie W.]

How about grouping the people who send a lot (600+) and send the extras to another high contributor. Personally, I'd prefer to get duplicates from someone else who has different fabric than me. Otherwise, just return mine to me. That's OK too.

[Dawn S.]

Serin10,

Spreadsheet? You're kidding, right? This is suppossed to be fun for everyone. Debbie and Clara are volunteering many, MANY hours for OUR enjoyment! Trust me, you will get a good assortment, no matter what their method of sorting! I personally have made about 5 different combinations, so even if you get 2 of mine you probably would not get the same two combinations. Also, If I did my math right, and figuring 2 seconds per HST, and using a figure of 400 HST as the average per person; it will take 9 people working 8 hours each, for 2 days, JUST to do the sorting. :shock: That's a LOT of hours! And, that's not counting lunch, breaks, and time for questions that may arise. My hat is off to you, Debbie and Clara! You girls ROCK :!: :wink:

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

[Dawn S.]

I don't understand how we could get so many of our own back. I was under the impression that the squares will be distributed to everyone and not just swapped in groups. If they are just going to be swapped in large groups (ie, 28 or more) then I'm not sure I want to participate. If I wanted a bunch of triangles of the same fabric I would just make my own. I appreciate all the work you have done with this exchange but could you please explain how you are planning to swap the triangles?

- If you go in a round then only a few people would end up with two of mine (I was planning to send 672)
or
-if you give out 1 to everyone then the ones left over swap them with someone who also sent a lot

No one said they will be swapped in groups of 28, or in any kind of grouping for that matter,...however, if the large marjority of people don't send in 600-700, then obviously there not be enough for everyone to receive all different ones. This has been a concern that we have been addressing and warning about since the exchange started.

I am one that sent 700, but to help with variety I did not make all 700 out of the same two fabrics. I made 25 different fabric combincations (total 50 fabrics used) of 28 triangles (per sheet). I will be happy for what ever is returned to me, even some that are already pressed open and even my own.
FluffBallQuilts (Nancy in Mt. Pleasant)

[Annis C.]

I'm cutting mine back to 16 sheets for 448. I've used about 10 different darks and will be sending no more than 56 that are the same. So someone could get up to 10 of mine and not get a repeat. Since I also signed up for the batik exchange I will still have plenty of variety for the quilt I hope to make. I will just make it smaller so it will get finished quicker. And I'm cutting mine into 4 pieces anyway to make 2 triangles and 2 squares, and I may even turn some of them into hourglass blocks so I will have more than enough pieces for multiple miniature quilts. I have every confidence the sorters will do a great job.

[Connie W.]

[/quote]I am one that sent 700, but to help with variety I did not make all 700 out of the same two fabrics. I made 25 different fabric combincations (total 50 fabrics used) of 28 triangles (per sheet). I will be happy for what ever is returned to me, even some that are already pressed open and even my own.
FluffBallQuilts (Nancy in Mt. Pleasant)[/quote]



I have done exactly the same. No two fabrics alike.