Information and Instructions for the
2006 TreadleOn Attachments block exchange

Attachments TOBE 2006

What is a TOBE? A Treadle On Block Exchange. It's purpose is to encourage you to use you people powered machines, therefore all TOBE blocks must be made on either a hand crank or treadle  sewing machine. 

You make a set of blocks according to the TOBE specs, send them to the hostess, who swaps all the blocks to other onions. You get the same number of blocks back that you sent in, from lots of different people.

Block Size: 6-1/2" by 6-1/2". This is the size to which you trim your blocks before you send them in.  The decorated portion of your block should not exceed 6" square, leaving  at least a 1/4" border on all 4 sides to be used as the seam allowance. As some people find it easier to work with larger pieces of fabric, it may help to trim the blocks  to 6 1/2" after decorating them.

Number of Blocks in each Set: 12. None of the blocks need to match in design, but if you do make more than 2 sets,  have some variation in design in the third and fourth set to help avoid  the chance of getting a duplicate block back from the
Block Pattern: Anything goes ! Be creative and have fun!
The emphasis of this exchange will be to show off  all the interesting things that can be done with attachments.

You can see some samples from a previous exchange at:
http://community.webshots.com/user/windycindy101

If you need instructions or inspiration on how to use various attachments and don�t have a user manual for the machine you want to use, try the Smithsonian website http://www.sil.si.edu/digitalcollections/trade-literature/sewing-machines/ . 

Here are a few other links to  help get you started:

Singer attachments: http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/Trade-Literature/Sewing-Machines/NMAHTEX/0141/

Greist attachments: http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/Trade-Literature/Sewing-Machines/pdf/sil10-215.pdf

Willcox & Gibbs attachments: http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/Trade-Literature/Sewing-Machines/NMAHTEX/0469/index.htm


Fabrics & trims: Prewashed, 100% COTTON unbleached muslin should be used as the base fabric. Trims do not have to be cotton but they must be machine washable, dryable, and be able to withstand ironing.  The color of the trims should be off white, beige, cream, and white to closely match as possible the unbleached muslin.

Signature blocks:  You will also need prewashed  100% cotton  unbleached muslin for the signature block.  The signature blocks should be  trimmed to exactly 6 1/2", with the signature contained within the 6" center.  You will make one signature block for each decorated block. 

You will baste one signature block to each of your decorated blocks, using either a row of chain stitching within the seam allowance, or a few hand stitches. You do not need to sew all 4 sides! Just a few stitches along one edge to help keep the blocks together during the sorting processes so we know who made what.  The signature blocks can later be used as  part of the  quilt back or quilt front .

Signing: Each signature block must be signed with a fabric-safe, permanent archival pen. Micron  Pigma is the most popular brand. Sharpies are not acceptable.   Test your pen by marking a  scrap of fabric, heat setting it with a hot iron, and then washing it.

Include the following information when you sign: your name, general location, the sewing machine you used and when it was made if you know this, and " Attachments TOBE 2006".

Your signature might look like this:
Rebecca R.
Pompton Lakes, NJ
Willcox & Gibbs  Treadle Circa 1912
Attachments TOBE 2006

Don't let the signing worry you; as long as you have the information stated in some form, it's fine. Just be careful to sign at least 1/2" away from the unfinished edges so that we won't sew over it when we assemble the blocks in a quilt.

For those who have hand problems, your name is sufficient�there will be enough other blocks in the exchange with the date, and while the sewing machine info is fun, it's not necessary for us to enjoy your blocks. According to Damascus Annie placing a sheet of fine sandpaper (400 grit) under your blocks makes signing easier.

You can use multiple machines (and attachments)  on each block, but if you do please note them on the block.

Hostess: The Hostess (the person to whom you mail your blocks) for this TOBE is Windy Cindy.  Rebecca R. chain_stitching@yahoo.com  is  helping to coordinate.  Please contact  Windy Cindy windycindywi@yahoo.com  to let her know if you plan to participate and how many sets of blocks you plan to make (though this is not absolutely critical). 

Mailing Instructions:

1. Put each set of signed blocks in a separate zip-lock bag and label each bag with your name and total number of sets you are sending. Include your e-mail address so Windy Cindy can contact you to let you know your blocks arrived (or if you forget to include enough postage).

2. Priority mail is preferred and the priority envelopes used by the post office are ideal for mailing your blocks. Along with your blocks, you need to include an additional unused priority envelope of the same size, with your name, address and proper return postage affixed. Have the postmaster weigh the envelope you are sending before you seal it and then put that same amount of postage on your return envelope (NO METERED POSTAGE�it MUST be postage stamps or it cannot be used!). International onions should contact Windy Cindy  directly  windycindywi@yahoo.com  to determine what they should send her in exchange for return postage. Then put it in the envelope with your blocks and mail it to Windy Cindy, at the following address:

Windy Cindy Johnson
5031 151st. St. 
Baldwin, Iowa 52207  

If you fail to send  Windy Cindy the return postage,  she will  have to hang on to your blocks until you send it to her. 

 The NEW "Mail-by" date is October 24, 2006 for US onions & October 17th, 2006 for International onions. Blocks must be received by October 31st, 2006.  Sorting will take place the first week of November.

Final Note from Rebecca: If you have any questions about how to make or sign your blocks, post such questions to the treadleon mailing list as there are many, many experienced quilters and you never know who will have the solution that will work best for you.

List of participants (as of October 3rd 2006) :

Please note that the  2006 Chain Stitch TOBE has ended. To see some of the blocks that were produced by the participants  you can check out the lovely quilt made by Lusa:

http://trdlr952.home.comcast.net/ChainstitchQuilt.jpg

You can also see some of the blocks at: http://community.webshots.com/user/windycindy101

We have not yet made official  plans for the next chain stitch  or attachments exchange, but we will let the list know when the time comes, and post the information on this website as well as on the treadleon list.