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RCTQ FAQ July 2005
Sorry it's late. I'm still on pre-revolutionary time.
Welcome to RCTQ, a usenet discussion group of quilters. We want to read all about your quilting activites, and welcome questions. We may even come up with some helpful answers! But we do have a few requests, to keep this NG moving along. We ask that you do not post pictures here, but we love to click on links to see your quilts elsewhere. Please, no advertising. Rec.crafts.textiles.marketplac*e is the appropriate place for ads. Do your best to remember to put OT in the subject line of off topic posts. While this group is one of the most tolerant of top posting vs bottom posting (we have some of each), please try to remember to trim the original post to the most relevant bits. What is a Hug, and how do I contribute? Hugs are quilts made by this group to help someone through a life altering event, and let them know how much we care. Karen, Queen of Squishies, maintains a Hug list. When a Hug quilt is needed someone will contact Karen, and she in turn sends an email to everyone on the Hug List with instructions and color preferences, date due, and the reason for the Hug. Its always your choice to participate or not. Hugs can be made without going through Karen and the list as well. Anyone is welcome to start a Hug, when they feel the need is enough. What is a Squishie? A squishie is an envelope that comes to you, thats slightly fat and squishie. It can be a bit of fabric someone knows you'll love, or a birthday surprise, the main thing is that when a squishie comes in the mail it makes you feel like smiling. The same thing happens when you send them out, oddly enough! When thanking someone for a squishie please try to contact them privately, off the list. If you arent able to, most of us don't mind sharing in the joy of a public thank you. A follow up post with a more eloquent explanation will follow this post. What is a Thunkie? Its similar to a squishie but it can thunk instead of squish and hold interesting things related to quilting, like chocolate or special things we quilters find indespensible for quilting. What are all those abbreviations? LQS Local quilt store TSWLTH The store we love to hate aka Joann fabrics DH, DS, DD, DSM Dear Husband (or dratted, danged etc.) Dear Son or Dear Sister, Dear Daughter, Dear Sweet Mother. S.E.X. we use this manner of spelling to discourage trolls from seeing it... it means Stash Enhancement eXpedition or fabric shopping! What is the Directory or how do I get someone's address? A directory of everyone who chooses to be in it is updated about two times a year, depending on the schedule of LN, who is in charge of compiling. Watch the newsgroup for posting about the next update. Only people who are listed in the directory are allowed to have it. No one is allowed to give the information in the directory out to anyone who isn't in it. Not everyone chooses to be in the directory, so how do you get someone's address? Ask them for it. Its ok, it wont spoil the surprise if you wait till they forget you asked. Or, ask someone else to ask the person if its ok to share their address with you. Be sneaky. Its ok. Trolls and flame wars... what are they and what can be done about them? Trolls come to groups to try to stir up trouble. The best advice is ignore them. Its fun to poke at them or treat them as legitimate posters but they thrive on attention. Flame wars are discussions that get out of control and angry words are hurled about with abandon. Its easy to get caught up in the heat and say things that are regretted later. We all have bad days. All of our words are open to interpetation, lets all try to give people the benefit of the doubt and believe the best of them and their posts. How do I find an old post? Go to http://groups-beta.google.com/group/...quilting?hl=en or use http://tinyurl.com/d4zva , thats the url made easier (by way of http://tinyurl.com/ ) , and use the search option, remembering to use the "look in this group only" function. If you still can't find the information you're looking for then feel free to ask the group. Please take the time to read the followup posts in this thread. Some of the most touching tributes to this group and the love we generate is there for you to savor. Good info on picking out a good sewing machine will be found there too. -- Wendy http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm De-STUFF email address to reply |
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What is a Squishie? "Rules of the Game"
Squishie protocol differs. "Squishie" is generic, of course. Anything that squishes in your mailbox (fabric-wise--we won't discuss vandals or kids with too much time on their hands) is a squishie. If you're involved in a swap ('you send me... and I'll send you...'), or you lose a bet, then of course the timeline on returns is worked out from the git-go. If, however, you're being squished as a 'welcome friend!/no reason at all' gesture, the "rules" are a bit grayer. I'd be willing to bet that the sender isn't really expecting a return squish. *However*, the general mood of these squishies is "pass it on". When you get a chance to welcome someone else, or you see a piece that reminds you of someone on RCTQ, send your own 'no reason' squishie. It all manages to come back to you, in one form or another. One thing seems to be agreed-upon, however: PLEASE acknowledge the receipt of your squishie, and do so privately (through e-mail, not through this newsgroup). Whether you've received the fabric as a result of a swap, or as a surprise gift, the sender needs to know you've received it (but *only* the sender--no one else is interested). These same guidelines apply to sending squishies: if you wish to alert people to be on a lookout for some fabric, do so privately through e-mail. Sometimes it happens that the only way you can contact someone is through RCTQ. In that case, please refer to first names or e-mail addresses only. Many people have no wish to have their last names known or made public on/through the newsgroup. And now, in the words of others: A squishie is a package of quilt fabric sent to another quilter. These can be pre-planned, like in the fat quarter exchanges (a FQ is 18" x 22"), or spontaneous gifts to cheer someone, congratulate them, or for no reason at all. by Singer ~~~~~~~~~~ The sort of envelope where you look at the return address and then just sort of squeeze it in between your fingers, knowing that you'll have something fabric-wise to fondle at work! by Mary Beth ~~~~~~~~~~ Squishies are those wonderful packages you receive in the mail when you are a participant in an exchange of fabric or quilt blocks. They usually don't arrive as a typically flat piece of mail - but lumpy, soft, squeezable, squishie! It's like a special gift that you can't wait to open! by Pam ~~~~~~~~~~ A squishie is something that one quilter sends to another quilter, for no reason at all, or to brighten the day, or... without thought of being paid back. It is a gift. It is fabric, sometimes a fat quarter or two, or some leftover pieces that you "know" so and so will just love these. It is done because it pleases the sender to send it. by MaryAnne ~~~~~~~~~~ Squishies - the things that make a trip to the letterbox worthwhile (envelopes from far off places that contain cloth wrapped in plastic, and sometimes contain other interesting snippets, and always come with and cause great feelings of goodwill) and that drive the children nuts - "ALL the mail was for you AGAIN, Mum." by Vivien in Auckland, New Zealand ~~~~~~~~~~ Squishies are absolutly free-form! You can send fat quarters or fat eighths, or charm squares (6x6 or 5x5 are the most common), or strips, or scraps. A squishy is a welcome thing indeed! It's an envelope containing fabric that turns up in your mailbox because some nice person wants to make sure you're sticking to a high-fiber diet. by (Nann, Official Librarian of R.C.T.Q.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Leslie in Missouri wrote: I owe squishies to a few people Okay. Here's where our ng terminology gets us into trouble. You do not OWE squishies. Nope. Squishies are a gift from the heart and are not intended nor expected to be reciprocated. (Have you read Ms. Sarah's most excellent description of a squishie???) Leslie NOT making any more trades; but still enjoying sending squishies..... and stabbies and Furbabies in MO. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wendy (frood) wrote: I have a theory that the universe knows when a squishie is going to be needed, and helps them arrive in the right mailbox on the right day. Even a terrible, horrible, very bad day can be brightened with a squishie. Ordinary, everyday wearying days are also made better with one. If you are having a bad day, and none arrives in your mailbox, it doesn't mean you aren't loved. Try sending one out instead, and watch your mood improve! -- Wendy http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm De-STUFF email address to reply |
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One of our formerly regular posters (I bet he's still lurking!) put together
a comparison of various sewing machines. http://quiltstuff.home.att.net/ Here is a compilation of a lot of what others have already about buying a first machine, plus a couple of other comments. This FAQ also applies to those who are in the market for a new machine, having used one particular model for a few(?) years. Many thanks to Salley Holmes and Lee Hinton for helping get this together. First, if you're considering buying a machine as a gift for someone else, the consensus is that you should give, perhaps, a card or a spool of thread as a token of your willingness help to enable the recipient to choose the machine that suits him/her best. By all means do some homework to help him/her to narrow the choice down, but a sewing machine is a personal item that should be chosen by the person who's going to use it. Think about it. Would you want someone to buy you a car without your input? Here are some questions to ask yourself before you shop: How and what do you sew? Are you interested in sewing clothes, home decor items (slipcovers, curtains, etc.), sports costumes like skating, etc. Do you want an embroidery machine? IS IT SOMETHING YOU WOULD USE OR JUST SOMETHING YOU WANT? This is an important distinction to make. What feature(s) would you use and need? (Why pay money for things you don't need and don't want?) If you do mostly quilting, then maybe you only need a few stitches rather than a whole array of stitches. How easy it is for you to learn programming (a must in some machines)? How large a machine do you want (will you be taking it places), does it pack up easily if you need to take it someplace? What kind of classes are given? Does it have a freearm and do you need one, what kind of extra feet are available that you need, etc. Do I need a machine that can be updated with new cards, attachments, programs, etc.? Now, which machine is the best one? There's no such thing as the one best machine just as there's no such thing as the one best car. This FAQ can only give general advice because there are so many sewing machine manufacturers and models out there. Once you've narrowed your choices down you may be able to get advice on specific models or even dealers from the alt.sewing, rec.crafts.textiles.sewing, alt.sewing.mach-embroider (if you are looking at embroidery machines) or uk.rec.crafts.sewing newsgroups. Having said that, nearly every maker makes wonderful machines ... but they all have had periods where they have made junk. You might want to read your national consumer magazine to see if they have recently reported on sewing machines - this would be a good place to at least start. Sewing magazines occasionally run such features, too, so check them. Remember, though, that no survey can cover all the available machines, and that a sewing machine is a very personal item. What suits a reviewer may not suit you. And talk to friends who sew to get their opinion on which makes are reliable. After that, the person who is going to use the machine should be the person to pick out what they want, within the constraints of your budget, of course. Your budget may limit your choices, but especially if you are new to sewing, I would suggest going for an all purpose reliable machine with fewer stitches rather than a machine with lots of stitches, but also turns out to be picky about the type of thread you use, won't sew on thick or thin fabrics, and sulks and chews the fabric up if you dare to LOOK at it wrong. You need to know that your machine will be reliable or learning to use it will be a very frustrating experience. Whilst it's a waste of money to buy features you won't use, it's also false economy to buy a machine that you'll "grow out of" if you can afford one with more features. Unless you get a fabulous bargain in a private sale, one thing to also consider is the dealer from whom you buy. A good, honest, reliable dealer can help make your sewing experience wonderful, and help you pick the right machine for YOU. Some dealers offer a trade-in/trade-up policy where if you decide after a few months that you'd like a fancier machine, the dealer will credit all or a large part of the cost of your initial purchase to a better machine. Don't be taken in by the claims that all-metal interiors are better than plastic: there's cheap plastic, which may crack and warp, and there's nylon, which is lighter than and a hard-wearing as metal and doesn't need lubricating. The most basic machines are straight-stitch only, and old ones can be picked up very cheaply from sale rooms, some sewing machine dealers, and garage/car boot sales. The next step up is a machine that does zigzag stitching. The basic zigzag machines usually do some sort of blind hem stitch and maybe a couple of decorative stitches. Even if they don't have a built-in buttonhole you can do a manual buttonhole with a basic zig zag machine, but it's no fun after the first few. If you are planning to sew a lot of clothes, buying a machine that has an easy buttonhole maker may make good sense. After that, the number of stitches increases (along with the price) and you are in the realm of medium to high end sewing machines. Electronic machines give the same penetrating power at all speeds and usually a needle stop up/down option. Right at the top end, for several thousand pounds/dollars you can buy a machine that will connect to your computer and embroider images that you've designed on the PC. However much you're planning to spend, you'll get more for your money if you buy second-hand. People often trade in their old machine when they buy a new one. A trade-in will be much cheaper than the same machine when new, and if it's been serviced by the dealer and has a dealer's guarantee it should be fine. There isn't much to go wrong with sewing machines. Unless one has really been hammered - used non-stop - parts don't seem to wear. Check the finish of the paint: if it's worn or has lots of nicks from pins, it's probably been used a lot. When you go to test-drive machines, take along samples of the type of fabrics you'll be sewing. Dealers often use a stiffened felt-type fabric for demonstrating their machines: almost anything will sew well on it. Take samples of light-weight fabric such as fine sheeting or voile, and\line some heavy-weight such as upholstery or denim. If you have a pair of old jeans, cut off the leg and try sewing over the bulky seam. Also try out the sort of things you'll be sewing - do you use a lot of zippers? You'll need to test the zipper foot. Buttons mean checking the buttonhole facility. Make sure that YOU do the sewing - don't just watch the dealer demonstrating. If the dealer won't let you sew on the machine, leave the shop. When you've decided which machine is for you, there's the price. You wouldn't buy a car at the price on the windscreen, would you? Well, a sewing machine is just the same. Haggle (nicely). It isn't rude: it's good business practice. Every pound/dollar you get knocked off the price is another spool of thread to use on your new machine. Ask "Will you take $xxx for cash?" "Will you throw in the xxx foot for that price?" Say "That's more than my husband/wife/anyone else who isn't there wants me to spend - can you knock something off?" "I like this, but machine xxx at dealer yyy is nice too, and it's less". Don't push too hard, though: you need after-sales support. If you want extra feet, the quilting kit, or lessons, now is the time to negotiate for them. You may be able to get them thrown in or at least\line reduced in price. If you're buying a lower-end machine, a good bargaining tool is to make it clear to the dealer that you'll come back to him/her when you're ready to upgrade to a fancier model. You don't have to tell him that it may not be within this lifetime. There's a frequent debate in sewing newsgroups about buying on-line. You may be able to save a lot of money, but it will be at the expense of local support. A machine bought on-line may not have a valid warranty. You have to decide whether the money you'll save is worth the support and warranty. Once you've got your new machine home, take care of it. Clean it out at the end of every project, and give it a nice new needle after every 6 hours of sewing. Protect your investment by using good-quality thread and needles. Oil it if the manual tells you to, and do bring it in to be serviced if you notice something is wrong. -- Wendy http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm De-STUFF email address to reply |
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In lieu of the HUG FAQ that has been posted in the past, I'd like to ask
RCTQers to submit their own words about HUGs - what they are, how you feel about them. While Sarah Curry's words are quite eloquent, it feels odd to me to continue to post them here each month as she is no longer a regular poster here. I'm not trying to expunge her words or her beautiful sentiments about HUGs, but perhaps new words from our current posters will bring a fresh perspective. I'll compile the responses to this, and post it in FAQ format next month. -- Wendy http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm De-STUFF email address to reply |
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I have done several hug blocks, and even did the binding for a hug quilt,
which was wonderful for me beyond belief. I think of my RCTQ comrades as my family and when someone is ill, getting married, has a baby or is going through a really bad time, a hug block is my way of saying "get well real soon", "be happy forever", "congradulations on the new addition - but don't blink!" or "my thoughts and prayers are sewn into this block" without saying anything at all. Making hugs are very emotional times for me, but I wouldn't have it any other way. -- Alice in NJ, Royal Cybrarian http://www.ourcyberfamily.us http://www.ourcyberfamily.us/RCTQ/index.htm (submit a recipe) "frood" wrote in message ... In lieu of the HUG FAQ that has been posted in the past, I'd like to ask RCTQers to submit their own words about HUGs - what they are, how you feel about them. While Sarah Curry's words are quite eloquent, it feels odd to me to continue to post them here each month as she is no longer a regular poster here. I'm not trying to expunge her words or her beautiful sentiments about HUGs, but perhaps new words from our current posters will bring a fresh perspective. I'll compile the responses to this, and post it in FAQ format next month. -- Wendy http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm De-STUFF email address to reply |
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frood wrote:
In lieu of the HUG FAQ that has been posted in the past, I'd like to ask RCTQers to submit their own words about HUGs - what they are, how you feel about them. While Sarah Curry's words are quite eloquent, it feels odd to me to continue to post them here each month as she is no longer a regular poster here. I'm not trying to expunge her words or her beautiful sentiments about HUGs, but perhaps new words from our current posters will bring a fresh perspective. I'll compile the responses to this, and post it in FAQ format next month. I have been a "Hug Mother" twice (well, one is still in the works) and there is just no way to describe the experience. First, your mailbox fills up with little, colorful, bits of love from all over the world. Each is different in color and style and you wonder how they will ever go together into one quilt. Then, as you start trying to make some coherent sense out of so many disparate blocks, they all sort of join hands and say, "this is how we want to go together; see how well we all get along?" Somehow, even the tedious parts of quilting (for me the basting, for sure!) seem to go more smoothly. I won't try to convince you that there is magic there; you'll have to experience it for yourself. -- Anne in CA "It's not having what you want; it's wanting what you've got." -- Sheryl Crow http://community.webshots.com/user/annerudolph3 http://home.covad.net/~arudolph/annes.htm |
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This is what I wrote for a Thank You to those that participated in making
the *Poiple Passion* Hug Quilt for me: Just A Piece Of Fabric Just a Piece of Fabric That's how it started Someone took that piece of fabric And added another Then sent that piece of fabric To the Designated Collector And while they were doing this Another someone did the same Then the Collector added A long piece to join the first two Until it became a quilt top And that was given to another She took the quilt top Added her backing (which is a quilt unto itself) And wielding a needle and thread Handquilted them into one My HUG started with Just a Piece of Fabric Cyberhugs and Butterfly Kisses Butterfly (who has put more than one together for others) Butterflies ... flowers that fly and all but sing. - Robert Frost frood wrote: In lieu of the HUG FAQ that has been posted in the past, I'd like to ask RCTQers to submit their own words about HUGs - what they are, how you feel about them. While Sarah Curry's words are quite eloquent, it feels odd to me to continue to post them here each month as she is no longer a regular poster here. I'm not trying to expunge her words or her beautiful sentiments about HUGs, but perhaps new words from our current posters will bring a fresh perspective. I'll compile the responses to this, and post it in FAQ format next month. |
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I've already sent my own words about my Steel Hug. Should be able to locate
it in the archives. -- http://community.webshots.com/user/snigdibbly SNIGDIBBLY ~e~ " / \ http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/snigdibbly. http://www.ebaystores.com/snigdibbly...ox&refid=store "frood" wrote in message ... In lieu of the HUG FAQ that has been posted in the past, I'd like to ask RCTQers to submit their own words about HUGs - what they are, how you feel about them. While Sarah Curry's words are quite eloquent, it feels odd to me to continue to post them here each month as she is no longer a regular poster here. I'm not trying to expunge her words or her beautiful sentiments about HUGs, but perhaps new words from our current posters will bring a fresh perspective. I'll compile the responses to this, and post it in FAQ format next month. -- Wendy http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm De-STUFF email address to reply |
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