All active MQG members are invited to participate in our 9th annual international MQG Swap! The 2024-2025 swap opens this fall and swappers will exchange their mini quilts in February 2025. The swap is limited to the first 450 members who sign up. There are important swap rule updates, so new participants and seasoned swappers alike need to read all the rules before signing up. A swap is a chance for you to make a surprise present for another MQG member and receive one in return. It’s also a great opportunity to make new MQG friends! Use the #MQGMiniSwap2025 tag to share your progress on social media as well as post in the MQG Community platform to meet other swappers! The timeline for the project is November 2024 to February 2025, and the delivery date will coincide with QuiltCon 2025 in Phoenix. Participants may elect to swap in person at QuiltCon or by mail. Please read through the timeline and participation rules to ensure you understand your responsibilities for the swap. Important Dates September 23: Swap sign-ups open Sign-ups close October 6 or once we reach 450 participants, whichever comes first Mid-November: Partner notifications January 21: One month to go February 10: International shipping deadline February 13: Domestic shipping deadline February 21: In-person swap at QuiltCon The swap has reached capacity – you can sign up for the waitlist if you’re interested in filling in should a participant need to drop out of the swap. Sign up for the swap waitlist Participant Rules Active MQG members may sign up to participate in the swap between September 23-October 6, 2024. The swap is limited to the first 450 members who sign up, so the link may close before October 6 if capacity is reached. A link to sign up will be included in the September 23 and September 30 Modern Monday member emails. We will open a waitlist after the 450 spots are filled for those who are interested in filling in should someone have to drop out of the swap. The waitlist is for swapping by mail only. Signing up for the waitlist does not guarantee a spot in the swap. Partners will exchange one modern mini quilt (no larger than 24” x 24”) with each other. This is a one-to-one partner swap, so once matched, participants will know who they’re making for and who’s making for them. You will be matched with a partner based on shipping preference, allergy requests, and similar skill levels. Swappers will use modern design aesthetics and high-quality quilting fabrics in the new mini quilt you create for your partner. You will have information from your partner about their likes and your project should be made for THEM. This is a fun chance to push yourself and try something new! Bags, clothes, and other sewing projects are not eligible items to swap. We also ask that participants do NOT include “extras” (little items in your package besides the mini quilt) in this swap. We want to make sure that the focus is on making your mini awesome! You will be assigned a Swap Fairy when you receive your partner notification. Swap Fairies are the amazing volunteers that help support you during the swap. They are team leaders who send communication to you throughout the swap to keep everything on track and answer your questions along the way. Your Swap Fairy will communicate with you throughout the swap – your timely reply to their emails is required. You are responsible for completing and exchanging the mini quilt with your partner based on the swap timeline (see above), with shipping between February 10-13 for those swapping by mail, and the in-person swap February 21 for those exchanging at QuiltCon. Please note that you will not be able to participate in future MQG swaps if you do not complete and exchange a mini quilt with your partner. Do NOT sign up for the swap if you are unsure if you can commit to the project. Your partner is depending on you so please keep your commitment! While signing up for the swap, you will have the option to opt in to being reassigned a new partner, for swapping by mail only, should your original partner need to leave the swap before December 31, 2024. This does not guarantee a new partner will be assigned, nor does it guarantee you will receive a mini quilt. Communication, respectfulness, and flexibility are key to the swap! We encourage you to build dialogue with your partner throughout the process – make a mini, make a friend! Sometimes we all need a gentle reminder that signing up for a swap is taking a chance. Whether the mini you receive is what you hoped for or not, all swappers are expected to comply with the MQG Community Guidelines and treat their partners, Swap Fairy, and MQG Staff respectfully. This includes accepting their mini quilt for you graciously and giving yours without expectation. Participants will not ask for their mini to be returned from their partner under any circumstance. We all know that life happens and changes our plans sometimes – if you and your partner need to pivot on the timing you exchange, how you exchange (shifting to mailing instead swapping in-person), or other factors, please communicate this information with your Swap Fairy as soon as possible. If you are swapping by mail, please email your Swap Fairy when you ship your package (including a photo of your shipping receipt!) and again when you get your package. Please, please double-check your partner’s shipping information before you send your package. Make sure your return address is on the package. We also definitely recommend getting a tracking number or some form of delivery confirmation and keeping your shipping receipt! Shipping costs very much depend on the shipping destination. If you are concerned about shipping costs, we recommend selecting to ship within your home country (if possible) on your swap form. For our swappers shipping internationally, the Swap Fairies will provide additional information prior to your ship date. For questions during the swap, please contact your Swap Fairy, whose name and contact information are in the partner notification email. If you have issues with sign-up, do not get an email with your partner’s information, or need to drop out of the swap for an emergency, please email us [email protected]
