Fun in Swapping, Love in Giving
Posted by Michele Fry on Jul 30th 2014
Swapping. What is this strange thing of which Jake Finch, Generation Q magazine editor, speaks? It is a concept I had a difficult time grasping when starting to edit Stitch ‘n Swap, and I’m not sure why. Swapping – you give something to me and I give something in exchange to you. But When I heard this, I envision myself as the little screaming guy in the Edvard Munch painting. You want me to make something and give it away? Noooooo!
After the Munch swirling stopped, I said to myself: “Wait. Why is this different?” Whenever I make a quilt, it’s almost always for someone else. The plan is to give it away. … Just usually not to strangers.
Still, it’s not the giving; it must be the swapping. I’ve been in enough Secret Santas and white-elephant exchanges to know that all gifts are not equal. Now throw in the aspect of handmade gifts with the various levels of skill among participants—you’re asking to be disappointed. But Jake and the Gen Q team walked me through this concept with easy projects as jumping off points and the whole game aspect. Swaps are events, Jake said, like game night, and the games have rules that the players decide. That reminded me of why I keep doing Secret Santas and white-elephant exchanges: Because they are fun. The many ways to pull off a swap, to play the game, suddenly made this seem like fun, too!
As a personal bonus, these ideas sparked my own creativity. I can think lovingly of someone, grab up some of my smaller pieces of fabric, and make them something fast and easy—unlike a big ol’ quilt that I never seem to have time to finish (so much love for others just sitting on my to-do shelf!). Maybe I will Stitch ’n Swap with a group appropriate for me—not expert sewists!—I’m sure we’d all enjoy it. But maybe I’ll just stitch and give because I love to give gifts to my friends. Wow, Jake! Swapping; what a concept!
For all the young girls I know who are showing an interest in sewing—they are so adorable, and they should be encouraged!
For the friend who warned me to sell my Starbucks stock because she’d gotten a French press
For any of my friends who are passionate about tea or collect teapots
