1) Make up your sampler in any fabric, colour, count, size and grid layout of your choice. Overlock, zig-zag or use fray-check around the edges to stop fraying. Baste the segments into your chosen grid (not forgetting the extra measurement around the edge). "The word sampler is used to describe your piece of fabric, you choose the theme."
The only restrictions are that you try to keep each segment to a size that can be worked within about 3 weeks, keeping in mind that too small can sometimes make it hard to find a pattern/chart, between 50 and 80 stitches either way is about right, however the shape could also be 100 x 20 or similar! (These sizes are given presuming you are working over TWO threads, if you want to work over only ONE thread then these sizes should be halved. However, I think working over ONE thread is really not appropriate in these round robins, please check with the rest of your group before proceeding).
Afghan or tablecloth size samplers are not appropriate for these round robins either. Please be considerate of others. * You don't HAVE to have segments, you may wish to tell everyone to work wherever they choose, it's up to you.
2) Choose a theme for your sampler and let your leader know along with the size of the segments asap, she will send you all a list of themes when she has them. This makes it easier to sort out patterns before receiving the samplers.
3) The starting date of this sampler group is *********, this gives you ******* to choose your themes and get your samplers organized. You then work the first segment on YOUR OWN sampler in FIRST. This means you get *****weeks to work on your own sampler before you have to post to the next person. Put your sampler into a plastic bag before mailing (you may post earlier than the mailing date but no later). Tubes for mailing samplers are not satisfactory. Bubble envelopes work best. They fit within the size limits for a letter rate envelope, so travel much quicker from country to country.
4) With your sampler enclose a letter with your name and address, the numbers 1 to 9 printed out to copy the grid of your sampler plus FULL instructions for anything out of the ordinary (please include your segment sizes in stitches per segment NOT inches or centimeters, I've found counting segments takes up far too much time before you actually start on your pattern!).
Each person then writes their name in the segment they worked as they finish each sampler. You may also like everyone to sign their x-stitched segment with their name or initials and/or date, if so, mention it in your letter.
5) A week BEFORE end of month, you post your sampler to the next person on the list after you (the last person will post to the first person on the list). This person will be the same person you post to each month.
You should receive your next sampler around the same time, work a pattern of your choice in the theme of that sampler in any of the segments you wish and post to arrive by beginning of month. This continues each month until you have your own sampler back again. This way you will know where your sampler is at all times.
6) Each time you receive OR mail a sampler let your leader know by e-mail
7) Make sure you have a SECURE mailbox with no possibility of mail being stolen, blown out of or rained on! If you are dubious maybe you would like your mail to be sent to your place of work instead, if so please contact the person that is posting to you. Please keep each sampler in it's own bag between sessions (also remove from hoop if you use one) to keep it as clean as possible and make sure it is kept out of the reach of small children and/or animals.
8) No washing or ironing of other people's samplers.
9) If you wish, after finishing/framing your sampler you may like to send photos of it to the others in the group, mention it in your letter and ask anyone that wants one to jot it down on your sampler letter. However, there is no obligation to post photographs.
PS Lastly just a few things that I expect people to be prepared for:
a) You MAY have to mail airmail to another country every month
b) You MUST be committed to mailing one sampler per month unless there
are mitigating circumstances beyond your control, please pull out NOW
if you feel you cannot commit yourself fully
Disclaimer: I am only the co-ordinator of these groups up until they start, after that all future contact should be with your group leader or each other. Please sort problems out amongst yourselves and only contact me as a last resort or for the following reasons:
1) you want to pull out of the group for whatever reason, the earlier I know about this the sooner I can replace you
2) to inform me of changed details ie phone number or email address (once your group has started, you should contact your group leader with this info.)
I can in no way be responsible for anyone's sampler. It is the responsibility of everyone in this group to keep track of their own samplers, don't leave everything up to your leader. It is also YOUR responsibility to make sure that samplers go out on time each month, if for any reason you think you are going to fall behind or if you have an emergency of any sort please LET YOUR LEADER KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Terry V.
Co-ordinator
This addition is to answer a question that comes up frequently:
1) The following is a general guide to help determine total fabric size. The table below is the size of each block, *not* the total size of the fabric you will use. It is up to you how you want to lay out your fabric. They do not have to be a square segments so long as they stay within the minimum/maximum stitches.
Minimum size block 50 x 50 stitches:
Count size 11/22 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" 14/28 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" 16/32 3 1/8" x 3 1/8" 18/36 2 3/4" x 2 3/4"
Maximum size block 80 x 80 stitches:
Count size 11/22 7 1/4" x 7 1/4" 14/28 5 5/8" x 5 5/8" 16/32 5" x 5" 18/36 4 3/8" x 4 3/8"
Remember to allow for at least 3 inches *on all sides* of your sampler for framing allowance. If you wish some space between the blocks for borders, remember to account for that as well. Some people have taken their samplers and cut them and sewn them into a quilt. If you are going to do that, remember to leave this seam allowance between the blocks.
2) Some participants do not divide their sampler. Instead, they send a large enough piece so that stitchers can stitch where they want. It is generally their intention to cut the sampler up later and reassemble it into a quilt. I find this does not always work out well. It is best to provide some form of separation so that you end up with uniform size blocks for re-assembly.
On the other hand, there have been a number of creative layouts. As an example, one sampler I worked on was band sampler. The owner stitched a center square double high and double wide. To either side, she had 4 equal sized squares:
--------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------ ------------ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------Standard:
----------------- | | | | | | | | ----------------- | | | | | | | | ----------------- | | | | | | | | -----------------Creative with large centre square:
------------------------------
| \ / |
| \ / |
| \/--------\/ |
| / \ |
|_______| |_______|
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|________\ /________|
| /\--------/\ |
| / \ |
| / \ |
| / \ |
------------------------------
This is by no means the only way of dividing your fabric. The stitching blocks do not all have to be exact. They just have to be within the minimum and maximums set out in the general instructions. *Only Your* block is not restricted by the size set out in the general instructions. Just remember to allow for a minimum of 9 segments on your fabric.
© 2007 Theresa Venette. Articles on this site may be reproduced in needlework group newsletters or other handouts with permission of author and proper attribution. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: xspeddler@yahoo.com