I'm continuing my purge, which is turning out to be HUGE. A very large portion of my files are no longer of interest to me. My quilting has evolved in two directions - primitive and reproductions, both piecing and applique. I have so many wonderful patterns that I can no longer use. They are still great patterns! Some are dated but could easily be updated with current fabrics.I don't know what to do with these. Please comment telling me what you think I should do. You can answer even if you aren't interested in any of them.
There seems to be very little interest in the stack of patterns combining piecing and applique, which is now 3 1/2" tall. So far I have a total of 6 comments on this post. The stack is tall enough that I can easily divide it into two prizes, which I will probably do before I do the "drawing" tomorrow.
This is my two-fold problem:
1. Since the first stack I offered drew so little interest, should I even bother offering the others as a prize? Will more people be interested in straight applique or straight piecing? Or should I just toss them into the recycle bin? What about the stack of professional patterns? Might they draw more interest or should I just take them to the thrift shop?
2. The postage is going to really add up if I give all of these away. Is it unreasonable to suggest that people consider sending me a little to cover postage? I would make it strictly optional, because I love the idea that these may go to quilters who have no money for patterns and thus no money for postage either. Winners could use PayPal to send their optional reimbursement.
I think I'm almost done, but I still have to go through the bottom drawer. Here is what is sitting on my ironing surface at the moment.
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| Pieced patterns - 6" tall |
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| Applique patterns - 4" tall |
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| Commercial patterns I'd offer individually - almost 8" tall. |
Please let me know what you think I should do? Thanks everyone!
I ignored the last giveaway because I don't "do" applique. I wouldn't mind tossing in my name in the pieced quilts patterns. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, and to save money, I would probably use priority envelopes. They don't have to lay flat! You can stuff them to the gills. I once had a vitamin company ship two large-ish vitamin bottles to me in the priority flat rate envelope. Awkward shape, but still $5.35 or whatever the current price is.
ReplyDeletefirst, i'd take the center vase applique off your hands for whatever you need to get for it. often i just offer stuff for postage to get it out, which has worked well. usually by the time it's ready to go, i've gotten my money's worth from it. i know you will find a perfect solution for you...always fun to see the stash of others, be it fabric, patterns or whatever.
ReplyDeleteI am drooling - would love those patterns - applique and quilting sounds wonderful but too costly to mail to Canada I think. Plus I just won so think it would be tacky to put my name in. Do you have a guild in your area where you could drop the patterns off for any quilters who wish one? Many quilds provide space to members to sell quilting patterns, fabrics etc. once or twice a year. You could sell the professional patterns at a greatly reduced price and buy another book. Or they could be door prizes at guild meetings. Or donate to be raffled off for their fundraiser.
ReplyDeleteI would love the pieced patterns. I'll pay postage..i love applique but i don't do it...maybe someday!
ReplyDeleteI didn't put my name down for the applique giveaway because of the postage to me, I wouldn't want to abuse your generosity!
ReplyDeleteDon't toss them! You have a big investment already made in these patterns. I love doing a mix of piecing and applique myself. Surely others do as well. I suck at needle turn but there are other methods! I would gladly pay for postage if I were to be lucky enough to receive any of these items. Only fair since the patterns are being given away---did I read that correctly??
ReplyDeleteIf you decide to give these away locally, to your guild library maybe or even the public library itself. I know our library has a Friends of the Library sale every year and they sell items other than books.
I'd gladly pay postage for the pieced patterns-I'd even be willing to share them after I've chosen the ones I like. So please do the giveways. Do you have an etsy shop? That would be a great place to sell the prof patterns. Or join in on one of the Saturday blog garage sales?
ReplyDeleteI will take any and all! I will pay the postage, take what I want and then either offer them to my friends at quilt guild or I could do a giveaway on my blog with what's left!
ReplyDeleteHow generous. I don't recall seeing this before. I hate that you think someone may not want them. Like you I would hate the thought of disposing of them. I would love to take the applique patterns off your hands and would gladly reimburse you for the postage. I would offer a trade if I thought I may have something you might like, but I did see you mention "purging", so I doubt you want me to send something in return mail?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your generosity.
Rondi
I would love to live closer and look closer at all your patterns especially the applique ones, but then I'd lie awake all night dreaming of new projects!! I remember you once gave away 'Indian Orange Peel', my Mom's neighnour made that quilt, it was stunning and I wanted to make it too so I was sorry to miss out, however you probably saved me from myself lol. I am sure people would pay for postage and it's not a lot to ask, I don't think.
ReplyDeleteno do not recycle I will totally pay for postage and take these treasures off your hands both pieced and applique!! please contact me and I will help you with your dilemma!!
ReplyDeleteI love to applique. I would happily pay postage. Also, if your local library has book sales, a donation of books/magazines would help them out. I always check out the pattern books and magazines and I sometimes get great patterns at the monthly book sale.
ReplyDeleteIf you offer as a giveaway mention you want postage or negotiate with commenters. Separate piles is a good idea. As much as I love to win I have enough...lol. Unless its your HSY. Hehe!!
ReplyDeleteCommercial patterns? Offer garage sale style. Maybe post on craftsy.com to take advantage of their payment setup. Sign up on one of the yahoo groups for craft sales. I have some specific ones if you need them. Even sell the printouts.
Looking forward to your outcome. I have to do the same.
One more thing....make your choice one that is easiest for YOU!
ReplyDeleteAsking for postage to cover the cost of mailing is not unreasonable given the cost of buying patterns and even back issues of magazines for patterns.
ReplyDeleteIf you can wait a week or two to divest yourself of these, Bonnie Hunter (at her Quiltville blog) has organized an online "First Saturday of the month Quilters Garage Sale" for the past year. If you're willing to group the patterns into design or color themes or list the names with pics on a post so people can choose what they want, you can then link to her on the sale day and that may generate some broader interest.
Hello! You've been busy! I vote for asking to cover postage cost is reasonable given how nice all those patterns are.
ReplyDeleteAt my church's quilt retreat ladies bring unwanted items and either trade or just give things away.
I really need to start checking your blog over the weekend :) I love applique and would have certainly participated in your drawing!! I'm sorry to have missed the chance to win ~ but I would definitely be interested in your old patterns and would pay shipping costs, too!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the idea of a giveaway on these, but have you considered doing the on-line yard sale? I've seen many quilters purge their sewing rooms, and make a tidy sum in the process, and the postage is paid by the buyer.....so it works for everyone. They do them by posting a pic of each individual item, and price, and the first person email for it wins it! Easy peasy! I've also seen some list them through an Etsy account, so it's all handled through paypal.
ReplyDeleteBut I'd love to be in the running for the patterns, no matter how you do it, and of course, we would cover the postage! Thanks!
I'm thinking of making a medallion quilt - with an appliqued center and pieced borders around that - maybe the perfect patterns are in your stacks?
ReplyDelete