1.) Every stitcher participating
MUST use 32 ct. linen/evenweave of a
neutral shade (tan/brown/ivory/white/antique ivory/etc.) This count must be used by every stitcher so that each square swapped is the around the same size.
**PLEASE NOTE** No HEAVILY mottled linen/evenweave should be used, all squares should be an even toned NEUTRAL color as listed above.
2.) Each Stitcher shall swap
TWO squares of linen/evenweave.
Both squares shall be stitched from the SAME EXACT linen.
- ONE linen/evenweave square shall house the stitched design
- The OTHER shall house the stitcher's name, date/year and location as you wish (at a minimum it should contain your name and year)
An Example:
3.) The design on the square should be around 50 stitches X 50 stitches. *If your design is bigger than 50 x 50 then ask your partner if that is appropriate for what she is doing with her squares. (Designs should NOT be more than 70 x 70 as it wouldn't give enough finishing area left on the linen)
4.) Each square of fabric that you send should be at least
6 inches x 6 inches - this is the MINIMUM size - larger than 6 in. x 6 in. is fine. **(BOTH squares must be this size! no skimping and using scrapes of fabric differing sizes!!)5.) The "raw" unfinished squares will be mailed to your partner.
Please make sure your squares are in good clean condition. Make them look like you would want to receive your squares. Partner information will be e-mailed to you at the beginning of the round by the Round Moderator.
6.) A stitching time period of 6 weeks will be allotted to all participants. On the 6th week all stitching should be completed and the parcels mailed.
*Stitcher's can mail at any time during the 6 weeks if their projects are finished prior to the end date!
7.) There will be a 2 week time period between rotations -
a "clean up" time period - for people to sign up for the next round and for the previous round's parcels to be received. Therefore you can participate as much or as little as you want. Sign ups dates and information for each round are located in the sidebar beneath each round title - please look at the dates and round information carefully!!! NOT every round is open at the same time. Rounds will only be open during the specified time and only 1-3 Rounds will be open at any given time to allow for sign ups, as we don't want anyone over committing and not following through with their original commitments.
PLEASE NOTE: I allow a new member to sign up for ONE round to begin with. After the first round is mailed and it is mailed "on-time" and received by their partner, the new member may sign up for as many rounds as she/he wants to as long as the rounds are open and as long as they continue to follow through with the commitments that they make!8.) Swapping partners will be assigned *randomly* (pulled from a hat), each round will have new partners, partners will not be duplicated - as we track "Previous Partners" in the exchange. Partners are randomly picked and their exchange information is e-mailed to you by the Round exchange moderator.
9.) This is an open blog and will be available for members from around the world, so people need to remember going into this exchange that your partner may be from a country other than the one you are from, therefore you need to keep in mind that postage rates will differ and be more costly. If this does not appeal to you than please don't join in the exchange.
10.)
The Design of the square = Stitcher's Choice (although Member Profiles are maintained so that you can see your partner's "likes" and "dislikes")
11.)
The Fibers used for the square = Stitcher's Choice
12.)
Finishing of the raw squares = Recipient's Choice (collect a lot for a friendship quilt, make pinkeeps, pillow, flatfolds, smalls, the sky is the limit!!!)13.) Once squares are received, the Recipient is required to send an e-mail to their partner and also make a post to the
Fair Squares blog so that we can track squares and so that your partner knows that you received the squares exchanged. This should be done in a TIMELY matter...you don't have to post a photo immediately - but you should at the very minimum send and e-mail to your partner and post to the board stating that you received your squares. This is only fair considering the time your partner spent stitching your squares.
Pictures of your squares should be posted to the Fair and Square blog in a timely manner so that we can all see what you received in the exchange. **IF you have no means of posting pictures of your squares to Fair and Square then you must notify your partner AT THE BEGINNING OF THE ROUND so that they can post pictures for you upon your receipt of them
14.)
Postage is the responsibility of the participants.15.)
Failing to meet a deadline or not following through with your swap will mean instant termination from participating in future swaps. Life happens and if something comes up that throws the stitcher off schedule, please contact your partner and the moderator so that arrangements and schedules can be arranged.
Communication is key! if you do not communicate with your partner and the moderator and fail to meet the deadline after the 8 weeks of a round (6 weeks stitching + 2 weeks "clean up" period) . You will be deleted as a member - no questions asked. Fair and Squares is implementing immediately a ZERO tolerance on all members that fail to mail their exchanges and do not communicate with their moderators and partners.
A word on MAILING your squares: if you have mailed your squares and they have NOT been received within 4 weeks after the clean up period (a total of 12 weeks from the Round beginning) - then a set of replacement squares should be stitched and re-sent to your partner. When you sign up for Fair and Square you are saying that you will replace any sets of squares that go missing. If you refuse to replace the squares - you will be terminated as a member - we are trying to keep the board "Fair and Square".
16.)
Extra gifts or goodies are not required; the only requirement is to stitch the squares! If you and your exchange partner agree between the 2 of you to exchange "goodies" that is fine, but it is not required as a part of this exchange.
17.)
Communication is NECESSARY for all parties applying for membership to this board.
You MUST post to the board when you mail your squares and you MUST post to the board when you receive your squares. (Please see Rule #13 for posting also).
18.) Fair and Square offers "Regular" Rounds...which are the numbered rounds. These rounds have no specific theme and rotate on an 8 week timetable (6 weeks to stitch with a 2 week clean up period). Although there is no specific themes - Member Profiles are maintained and you should check you partners profile to see their "likes" and "dislikes" - the design stitched however is ultimately up to the stitcher.
Fair and Square also offers "Holiday Rounds" - which have a theme specific to the chosen holiday. Members may sign up for these "themed" exchanges and stitch squares based on what the theme requires. For example: Christmas would be themed to stitch anything related to CHRISTMAS - stockings, sweets, Christmas Tree, Santa, etc. Holiday Rounds will be offered every now and again prior to an upcoming holiday. They shall be on a 8 week rotation as the numbered rounds (6 weeks to stitch with a 2 week clean up period).
NOTE: Member profiles should always be checked to determine Likes and Dislikes of the partner you are paired with, but ultimately what the stitcher decides to stitch is of their own personal decision. When signing up for this exchange please understand that you will not get something that you specifically ask for. Your list of LIKES/DISLIKES are just examples of what you prefer - what you ultimately receive from a stitcher is based on their own personal choice.
**Please check the sidebar for UPCOMING ROUNDS to see what is being offered for you to take part in!
19.) Please note that the moderator may contact you to find out information about your steps taken during the round (did you mail, when did you mail, etc) this is NOT meant to be harassing, merely to make sure we're all on the same page. If you have not mailed you will be contacted at the very least each week until you have mailed your round. Please keep the lines of communication OPEN. If you are going to be late - please contact your moderator AND your partner and give a date that you will mail by.
20.) Please be patient, kind and think about how you are wording things when you post to the board, communicate with each other and communicate with the moderator. Please do not demand a "reply" to the notes you send - a moderator will reply to you just as soon as they can. If you sent an e-mail and have not received a reply WITHIN 48 HRS. Then please resend the e-mail to them, perhaps they didn't get the first one. If you are worried about reciept and reading of the e-mail attach a "read receipt" so that you know it was read. Moderators of Fair and Square are here to serve you in exchanging...but we do have lives outside this board. Please be considerate of our time as well as we will be considerate of yours! Please remember the golden rule, "Do unto others, as you would have done to you".
If you are interested in learning more or to actually sign up for this exchange please click on the sidebar link that says "Join This Exchange" - there it will give you the steps to become a member of the board.
****If these rules seem unattainable or you don't agree with them, you won't follow through with them, then please don't request to join our exchange. Thank you for your interest, we hope you find this exchange interesting and want to join in the fun!
