Round Robin Sampler #4

What is a Round Robin?: In the craft world, a round robin is a project worked by several participants. Each person adds to the project in their own style and sends it on to the next person in the "circle". In our case, you will be sending the project on to another member in a future group swap.

What is a Cross Stitch Sampler?: Cross stitch samplers were originally intended as an example, demonstration, or test of a needleworker's skill. Samplers often included the alphabet, numbers, decorative borders, small motifs or figures, a quotation, and/or "samples" of various embroidery stitches. For our swap, you are welcome to be as modern or traditional as you like with your project, but remember that other hands will be working on the project as well, so if you have a specific theme or layout include these instructions on the information card (see below).

How It Works:

• If you are new to our round robin sampler swaps, you will start a new sampler and mail it to your partner.

• If you have someone else's project, add some cross stitch of your choice (following any themes or restrictions included with the project) and mail this project to your partner.

What To Send:

• Cross stitch fabric: Count: 14 squares per inch or fewer. Size: At least 8" (20 cm) on any side (square or rectangle is your choice.) Type: Aida cloth, any color. Edges: Sew, pink, or tape edges to prevent raveling. ... work a small amount of cross stitch of your choice on the fabric before you send it to your partner (examples include: a quotation, a border, or a small motif.)

• One skein of embroidery floss that coordinates with the project. This stays with the project so that future stitchers have at least one color to work with if they wish... if this is someone else's project and a skein of floss is already with the project, you do not need to add more, though you may if you wish. If there is no floss with the project you receive or you finish what is included, please add a coordinating skein to the project. (This may be a partial skein or wrapped on a small card.)

• Information Card: Project information cards (such as an index card) should include the following:

  1. Your real name
  2. Your Swap-Bot name
  3. Your snail mail address
  4. Your email address
  5. Note on when to send the project back to owner ... Example of "send back" note: "6th stitcher should send project back to owner" and include a place for each stitcher to write their name and what they added to the sampler
  6. Optional notes on theme, restrictions, or layout. Please keep restrictions to a minimum. ... Examples of Theme: "Traditional sampler" or "Gardening theme" ... Examples of restrictions: "I hate red! Please use red sparingly." or "No profanity." ... Example of layout note: "Work in horizontal bands."

Notes

• This is an International swap... if you are unable to mail a small package to an international address, this is not the swap for you.

• This swap allows beginner stitchers and sender creativity ... if you cannot abide a few uneven stitches, if you insist that your project be worked as counted-thread, or if you do not trust other people to make good decisions for your project, this is probably not the swap for you.

• Round Robin swaps are a long-term commitment ... We will be running these round robin swaps regularly in the group, and you are expected to pass along the project in future group swaps. You do not have to join every round robin swap in the group, but signing up does assume that you will be participating in several swaps (at least one per month.)

• Rating: If you receive a cross stitch sampler project that includes fabric with some worked cross-stitch, one skein of floss, and an information card, please rate a 5 ... do not base your rating on what has previously been worked on the fabric.

• If you have questions about what the owner expects, don't hesitate to contact them via Swap-Bot or email. If you have general questions about how the swap works, post in the comments or send Cirsium a message.

• If an emergency comes up and you are unable to follow through, please contact your partner and swap host (Cirsium) ASAP so that we can work it out together.

• If you decide to no longer participate in the group round robin swaps (or if you want to take a break), after completing your open swaps, simply mail the project you have on-hand back to the original stitcher. Please do not hang on to anyone's project for longer than a month. Remember that these projects have a lot of work involved by a lot of different people, so please be thoughtful and considerate.

Example photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sailor_coruscant/3420424221/