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#1
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Questions for Hug Hostesses
Diana Curtis wrote:
Id like to open a discussion about making Hugs or group quilt projects. There is nothing more emotional than making a Hug, it has to be one of the most joyful things we can do with our art. Having participated in a few now, two as hostess and a few as the quilter, I would like to hear from others what you found to be the most frustrating parts of the project, what was most fun, and what would you do differently next time you were called to host one. I have only been a HUG Mom once but did the lot. Here are a few thoughts. Good things a Lots of blocks. The extra $ really do help (in my case they went into the pile of small bills that go back out to the USA with HUG blocks - made more sense than paying commission to change them into GBP) It is also great seeing what falls through the letterbox each day. Block makers who let you know the block(s) are on the way. Blocks the right size or a shade over. Not so good things: Smoky blocks - fabreze & fresh air are your friends! Undersized blocks. A couple of other thoughts (not in the god/not so good categories) If you are doing paper foundation piecing ask your HUG hostess whether they prefer the paper removed or not. I had some with all the paper on,some with none on and some wtih just the paper "frame". I think I liked the ones with the paper frame the best as it kept the block stable, but *I* didn't have to take all the little itty bits of paper out ;-) If there is a theme or colour scheme - try to stick to it as that makes doing the layout so much easier. Don't be offended if your block is on the back with the label - doing a HUG layout can be tricky and it does depend so much on how many blocks come in. Most of all though JOIN IN! Lizzy -- Lizzy Taylor Heywood, Lancashire, UK 53:36:00N 2:06:00E http://www.thetaylorfamily.org.uk |
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#2
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The most frustrating part for me in the past has been undersize blocks. I've
seen some stunning blocks that were too small! The other part is blocks that are poorly made. Just because this is a great time to try something new doesn't mean that construction doesn't count! I'm not talking about points cut off, or mis-matched seams, either. Blocks that don't lay flat, that don't have enough seam allowance so they don't fall apart or are so hopelessly un-square that they can't be used. I also agonize over putting blocks on the back, worried that the sender might be offended. But, hey! A quilt needs a back and a front, both sides are equally important. It is great when folks tell you that blocks are coming, even better if they mention how many, if sending more than 1. I don't think I'd do anything differently if hosting a HUG. But I will participate in donating more HUG blocks. And let the hostess know what's coming! ;-) -- Wendy http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm de-fang email address to reply "Diana Curtis" wrote in message ... Id like to open a discussion about making Hugs or group quilt projects. There is nothing more emotional than making a Hug, it has to be one of the most joyful things we can do with our art. Having participated in a few now, two as hostess and a few as the quilter, I would like to hear from others what you found to be the most frustrating parts of the project, what was most fun, and what would you do differently next time you were called to host one. My goal is to help those who might wish to host one avoid or anticipate the most common problems, and encourage those people who would like to donate blocks or time to a Hug to feel less shy about doing so. Diana |
#3
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Diana Curtis wrote:
Id like to open a discussion about making Hugs or group quilt projects. There is nothing more emotional than making a Hug, it has to be one of the most joyful things we can do with our art. Having participated in a few now, two as hostess and a few as the quilter, I would like to hear from others what you found to be the most frustrating parts of the project, what was most fun, and what would you do differently next time you were called to host one. I hosted one. Have a longer deadline if it's around Kissmoose... otherwise, folks are too busy with kissmoose to send blocks. The joy is getting all of those blocks! It's like getting squishies every day! If I would do it all over, I think I would do better with the sashing and block storage. I did misplace a couple of blocks- which ended up on the back of the quilt, and 4 blocks came after I was almost all done, so a second quilt was made to go with, and sent on. And um, my sashing is just plain off on the top part of the quilt. But hey, it was my first full size twin that was sooo elaborate, and overall I did pretty good. I had done bigger things, but they were all tied and not elaborately pieced. I'll probably host another one some day. -georg |
#4
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Diana Curtis wrote:
Id like to open a discussion about making Hugs or group quilt projects. There is nothing more emotional than making a Hug, it has to be one of the most joyful things we can do with our art. Having participated in a few now, two as hostess and a few as the quilter, I would like to hear from others what you found to be the most frustrating parts of the project, what was most fun, and what would you do differently next time you were called to host one. My goal is to help those who might wish to host one avoid or anticipate the most common problems, and encourage those people who would like to donate blocks or time to a Hug to feel less shy about doing so. Diana Good things: getting blocks in the mail is fun doing something nice feels good seeing close-up the incredible piecing skills some people have the only squishie I ever got came as an also-ran with a block Bad things (taking a deep breath because this is scary): getting blocks covered with cat hair when you're *very* allergic getting barely enough blocks (fewer than 20) to make a crib-size quilt when all the other hostesses rave about getting dozens and making twin size or queen size quilts out of them getting email from people who aren't sure your cause is "worthy" (whatever that means) -- the black rose proud to be owned by a yorkie http://community.webshots.com/user/blackrosequilts |
#5
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the black rose wrote:
Good things: getting blocks in the mail is fun doing something nice feels good seeing close-up the incredible piecing skills some people have the only squishie I ever got came as an also-ran with a block Bad things (taking a deep breath because this is scary): getting blocks covered with cat hair when you're *very* allergic getting barely enough blocks (fewer than 20) to make a crib-size quilt when all the other hostesses rave about getting dozens and making twin size or queen size quilts out of them getting email from people who aren't sure your cause is "worthy" (whatever that means) I still felt loved. And I needed it. Still using it, even now that things are better, -georg |
#7
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I received a squishie that I dearly loved that was sent by a kitty. Not that
his staff realized he was enthusiastically participating. He tucked in some love and a tuff of cat hair and just made my day. Since we are without a kitty right now, I do miss the attentions of a doting feline. We used to have a maintenance worker who poured vast quantities of a horrible cleaner in our office bathrooms. Didn't clean anything, just poured it around - and it would actually burn our noses and throats miserably. I understand allergies but would recommend that a hostess with an allergy would want to have someone else open the blocks mail. We wouldn't want to hurt the feelings of the QIs by suggesting that they were unwelcome to participate. Well, so long as they don't include snakes, bats and other gifts. Polly "the black rose" wrote in part Bad things (taking a deep breath because this is scary): getting blocks covered with cat hair when you're *very* allergic |
#8
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Yes! Just to reiterate what Tia Mary said, inexperience is not an excuse for
not sending a block! Simple blocks are great - they work into many layouts easily! I personally love 4-patches - I love the way the eye is drawn on the diagonal, creating movement in a quilt. If the seams don't quite meet in the middle, no one notices. Really! So, Newbies, don't be scared to send in a block! Take your time, yes, take care, but don't stress! This is one time where the thought really does count. :-) -- Wendy http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm de-fang email address to reply "Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply " wrote in message ... From: "Diana Curtis" Having participated in a few now, two as hostess and a few as the quilter, I would like to hear from others what you found to be the most frustrating parts of the project, what was most fun, and what would you do differently next time you were called to host one. My goal is to help those who might wish to host one avoid or anticipate the most common problems, and encourage those people who would like to donate blocks or time to a Hug to feel less shy about doing so. I have done three {{{HUG}} quilts now and loved doing all of them. Before I say anything else, let me say that some of the best blocks have come from Newbies!!! PLEASE, don't be afraid to join in a {{{HUG}}} just because you don't have a lot of experience! Because I work out of my home and have no kids at home, etc. to take up my time, I have been able to do all the work (piecing and quilting) myself. I think I have a bit of experience now and have formed some pretty solid good & bad ideas about the whole thing so here goes.... GOOD STUFF: You get LOTS of blocks to work with and it really does make going to the mailbox an adventure. Even tho' I usually specify that I don't *need* any $$, I have always gotten some. I use the $$ to replace supplies, for postage if needed, or to buy a specific color thread for quilting the {{{HUG}}}. It's a great opportunity to get creative with block layout. Each {{{HUG}}} I have done has been totally different. I put my quilt wall up and pin the blocks to the wall as they arrive. Then I just keep looking at them until a layout starts to form in my head. It's also good when people let you they have mailed their block. If you send more than one block, make sure you let the {{{HUG}}} maker know that too :-). On this last {{{HUG}}}, a quilting newbie sent me 5 or 6 blocks made of the same fabric, which was neat. I used 1 of the blocks in the {{{HUG}}} and the others went into the pillows I made to go with the {{{HUG}}}. BAD STUFF: IMHO, small blocks are the bane of a {{{HUG}}} quilt. I specify that blocks need to be a *generous* 6.5" and untrimmed. All rulers are not created equal so I like to do the final squaring up of the donated blocks with my ruler -- that way, everything is the same size. On this last quilt, I had many blocks that were just a bit too small (usually about 1/4") by *my* ruler measurement. As a result, I had to trim down all of the other blocks and a lot of them lost their beautifully precise points in the process. Dirty or smelly blocks are also not much fun to get but I have gotten them. This has been mentioned but I think it bears repeating. Check your finished block before you send it and make sure it is clean. For those who smoke or use a lot of perfume, remember to air out your block &/or use Febreeze on it. Poorly made blocks can also be a royal P.I.T.A. As mentioned already by someone else, I am NOT talking about blocks whose points get a bit wonky or have "unique" seams. I am talking about blocks that have no hope of every being square, won't lay flat, have seams not securely sewn, etc. This doesn't happen often but it does happen. "Make Do" blocks -- these are blocks that are maybe 1" too small so the person making the block adds a wee, tiny little border all the way around. Usually the 1/4" seam allowance of the added border is almost a wide as the remaining fabric of the border itself! These blocks are near impossible to work with as all the seam allowances (the one for the added border and the one when the block is sewn into the quilt top) end up making that part of the {{{HUG}}} really lumpy. I am sure there are tons more good and bad things that could be mentioned. One of the things that happens and is neither good or bad are the late arriving blocks. These are usually used on the back of a {{{HUG}}} or, as in the case for this last {{{HUG}}} I made, used to make coordinating pillows. Most importantly, don't let ANY of this keep any of you from being involved in a {{{HUG}}} -- either as "host/ess" or participant. One last time let me repeat that your experience level as a quilter should NOT be a factor in contributing a block to a {{{HUG}}}. If you really are new and are afraid to send a pieced block, send a simple 4-patch block and don't worry if that one intersection of the seams isn't spot on perfect! If even that scares you, send in a whole cloth block -- I have gotten plenty of those and used them all :-). CiaoMeow ^;;^ . PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ Queen of Kitties Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!! Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs! Online Photos at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary |
#9
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That's a good point. As the keeper of the Hug List, I will try to ask each
Hug requester if there are any allergy issues to mention regarding the incoming blocks. And ladies and gents, if I forget, please just mention it yourself when sending me a Hug request. I'm glad this came up. Karen, Queen of Squishies with allergy related asthma myself Bad things (taking a deep breath because this is scary): getting blocks covered with cat hair when you're *very* allergic |
#10
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Yeah, that was a bummer. Not many people knew you guys yet, for one thing.
But every Hug takes on a life of it's own, it seems. And I've never seen an ugly Hug, a too small Hug, or a disappointing Hug. Somehow, it just always works out. Karen, Queen of Squishies getting barely enough blocks (fewer than 20) to make a crib-size quilt when all the other hostesses rave about getting dozens and making twin size or queen size quilts out of them |
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