Participants from Secret Swap 2019

It’s time once again for our Secret Swap.  For those that are new to the guild, Secret Swap participants will receive a randomly assigned guild-mate for whom they will make a quilty gift based on a wish list of their likes and dislikes.  In past years we have done a secret swap in the fall, and a white elephant swap at the holiday party.  This year’s Secret Swap will be the only swap activity, with gifts opened at the virtual holiday party (see below).  We will be mailing our swap gifts since we are not meeting in person.

This year, instead of specific items to choose from, we are suggesting broad categories for more making options:

• Thread catchers
• Project organizers
• Quilted baskets/storage buckets
• Zipper pouches
• Device accessories
• Mini quilts
• “Maker’s choice” (notes on this below under Wish List)

At the bottom of this post are links to a few examples of each category.  You are not restricted to these examples, they are merely a starting point for inspiration.  Moreover, feel free to edit these; for example, piece items where no piecing is required.  Use your imagination as you wish.

How this will work:

• Registration: You have until Friday, September 11 to register for the swap by clicking HERE.

• Confirmation: Once you register you will receive an invitation from DrawNames to join our group. Clicking the Join button will formally make you part of the swap. You must confirm your participation by September 12.  There may be a short delay between filling the form and receiving the invite as we have to enter names manually as we get them.

• Wish List: After joining the group, DrawNames will prompt you to create a wish list. It will help your secret guild-mate to know color preferences, fabric styles you like, etc.  You may also indicate three or four categories that appeal to you.  Or, you may indicate if one or more categories are not useful to you (e.g. you don’t have a device that needs accessories, or already have too many zipper pouches).  As a courtesy to your secret swapper, please DO NOT specify only one item that you want.  They should have some flexibility in choosing something to make for you.  NOTE:  If none of the categories appeal to you, indicate “Makers choice” as your favorite option.  This will indicate to your secret guild-mate that you are open to receiving other items that may not fit in any suggested category.

• Name Draw: On September 13 DrawNames will send an email telling you whom you are sewing for. Your partner will be directed to your wish list when the names are sent, so please have a few things filled in by this date.  Note that you are not paired.  The person you are sewing for is not the person sewing for you.

• Have fun making something for your partner!

• Swap date:  We are going to do a special gift opening at our virtual holiday party on December 5.  Please make sure to ship your swap item no later than November 25 to ensure your partner receives it before the party.  You are welcome to ship it earlier if you are worried it won’t arrive on time, but we will ask everyone to wait to open them until we are all together.  We will work with the party organizers to set a specific time that will be announced at a later date.
  NOTE:  If you can’t attend the holiday meeting please join anyway.  You can open your gift at home and post it any time after the holiday party.

• Social Media:   If you want to post progress photos to social media, keep the sneak peaks super sneaky so that your return address won’t immediately spill the beans.  Finished products can be posted after the reveal on December 5.  Use swap hashtag #SeaMQGSecretSwap2020 along with our generic #SeaMQG and pandemic #SeattleMQGsewathome so we can follow along.

A few other things to keep in mind:

• Please do NOT include any extra goodies to the gift.
• Please be sure to include a label or card to indicate who the maker of the gift is.  A return address or e-mail is helpful for sending thanks.

Links to examples for each category.  Some are paid patterns and others are free tutorial’s so read carefully.  

• Thread catchers
  http://shared.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/sewing/ThreadCatcher.pdf
  https://www.allfreesewing.com/Miscellaneous-Projects/Grandmas-Pincushion-Thread-Catcher-Tutorial
  https://elizabethhartman.com/all-projects/pincushion-organizer
• Project organizers
  https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/2016/8/29/handy-purse-organizer-free-sewing-pattern
  https://shop.noodle-head.com/products/road-trip-case-pdf-pattern-2
  https://www.maychappell.com/2015/09/02/lucky-project-bags-tutorial/
• Quilted baskets/storage buckets
  http://www.kelbysews.com/2015/03/1-hour-basket-tutorial.html
  https://shop.noodle-head.com/products/divided-basket-pdf-pattern-2
  https://www.kzstevens.com/shop-1/5c2sblwjj2aud1oxqdkjsqlpwvuuii
• Zipper pouches
  https://www.quiltingintherain.com/2013/12/simple-zipper-pouch-tutorial.html
  https://www.patchworkposse.com/quilt-as-you-go-zipper-pouch-tutorial/
  https://noodle-head.com/2012/06/open-wide-zippered-pouch-diy-tutorial.html
  And sooo many other options in a google search for quilted zipper pouch.
• Device accessories
  https://www.liveitloveitmakeit.com/2014/09/makers-month-make-it-cable-cozy.html
  https://teresadownunder.com/2012/12/29/ipad-stand-tutorial/
  https://sewcraftyme.com/diy-phone-charger-holder.html
• Mini quilts
  Too many options to list here.  The sky is the limit!