The Farmer’s Wife 1920’s Sampler Quilt Sew-along kicks off Friday August 24. This event is going to be epic. The quilt is a bucket list quilt for a lot of people, some of the blocks are quite challenging, hand-stitching a quilt is always an adventure and then there’s the fact that you can win prizes for doing it. I’ve run a number of events like this in the past and they’re growing in popularity which is fabulous because I’m all about growing and supporting this amazing creative community. In the past I’ve run these events on social media because it’s a virtual way for us to get together and share our work, however there’s a growing number of requests coming in with each event asking if there’s some way people can participate without having to be on social media.

So, I’ve put my thinking cap on. I’ve done a tonne of research and brainstorming and then I’ve done a couple of big days of coding and I think there’s a way that I can broaden the community a little without (hopefully) making it harder for people to enter and for me to administer it. This event will be the trial run to see how it goes, but I’m going to run the prize portion of this event a little different. Normally I just get people to post on social media and use social media to collate the entries, for this event we’re going to do things a little differently.  Entries will be done via an online form. Now, before you start flipping out and sending me emails and comments about it, how about we talk more about it below and then if you have any questions hit me up.

I’ve also been working hard on getting sponsors together for this massively long event. I’ve left some of the later months open for sponsorship because experience has shown me that a year is a long time for a sew-along and things change over that period of time and so I want the flexibility to offer other prizes in line with what the creative world is doing at that time. You have my promise that the prizes will be awesome and that you’ll still want to be sewing when we get to those months. I’ll keep you updated on the prizes later in the event via my newsletter. (Click here to sign up!) For sponsor and prize information please click here.

Ok, so let’s get down to the nitty gritty…

A Word From the Organiser

Ok, I’m going to get this out of the way upfront: I can’t please everyone.

I’m good, but I’m not that good. I have thought long and hard about how to structure this event to provide the most flexibility and accountability combined with giving people the best opportunity to win prizes and this is the format I’ve landed on.

If you have constructive suggestions, based on having read all the event information, then I’m open to them. I can’t guarantee I’ll change anything, but I can tell you if I’ve thought about your suggestion previously and why it may not have worked (you’d be surprised how many moving parts there are behind-the-scenes with these events). I will also implement things that make it easier for both the participants and for the administration of the event.

Please, don’t message me to complain about how hard it is or that you don’t like something. If you’re going to take the time out of your day to message me please send me a solution not a complaint. There’s no benefit to either of us if you just complain, in fact complaining is more likely to see these types of events shut down.

This event is designed to be a positive and uplifting experience for all that participate. If you don’t think you can get behind that, then that’s cool, this isn’t the event for you and that’s not a comment on your self-worth or your beliefs or anything else that can be construed as negative. It’s just the way it is. Sometimes we gel and sometimes we don’t. There are millions of other events out there that you can participate in or even host your own if this one doesn’t fit with you. It’s all gravy.

When You Sew Your Blocks

Because of the size and structure of this event I’m going to do two things:

1. Let you sew your blocks at your own pace, and
2. Provide you with a suggested block sewing timeline.

I’ve done this for a couple of reasons, but the big one is that some of us are using English Paper Piecing to make the blocks and so will be making them in numerical order and some are machine sewing using the Marti Michell templates and that system is grouped a little differently. Also, some people want to make all 111 where as some want to only make a small version and so need fewer blocks.

This way if I just give you a parameter – sew all the blocks you want between 24 August 2018 and 24 October 2019 – you can work at your own pace,  people can join in as we go and hopefully it will make things a little easier for everyone to work as they need to.

I will be setting a timeframe for those that want to sew along with me. Every Friday and Tuesday (AEST) I will post my blocks with hints, tips, tricks and tutorials where needed to help you make the blocks via the English Paper Piecing method. I have set a timetable that will see you complete all 111 blocks in the timeframe.

This means that those of you that want to sew ahead, or just sew specific blocks or do both aren’t constrained by a block timetable and those of you that need more structure and accountability will have it. Super simple.

Once you’ve made your block follow the instructions below if you want to enter the prize pool.

When to Post Your Blocks + Start Entering

You can post your blocks to social media and submit your entries via the entry from any time between 12:01am 24 August 2018 and 11:59 24 October 2019 (in your timezone).

How To Enter the Prize Pool

It’s quite simple: for every block you make you complete the entry form and submit the block into the prize draw. One block = one entry form.

You can complete the entry form by clicking here.

There are 3 ways you can present your block for entry:

1. Post a photo of your block on Instagram, or
2. Post a photo of your block in the Farmer’s Wife Facebook Group, or
3. Email a photo to me when I request it.

Whatever way you present your block you still need to complete an entry form to be in the prize pool.

Each form of block presentation is weighted differently in the prize pool, this means:

• Instagram is worth 3 entries into the prize pool. (This is done automatically when you submit your block.)
• Facebook Group is worth 2 entries into the prize pool. (This is done automatically when you submit your block.)
• Email is worth 1 entry into the prize pool.

When you submit your entry the form will advise you if your entry has been successful. Please do not email me to check. You will no longer receive an email confirming the entry, the form will tell you if your entry has been submitted at the time of submission.

How this will work for an Instagram User

1. Follow the event sponsors on Instagram (information about this is on the sponsor + prizes page).
2. Make block.
3. Take photo of block.
4. Post block photo to Instagram and use the event hashtag, #FW1920EPPSAL.
5. Complete an entry form.
   • The entry form will ask you to provide a link to your PHOTO not your user profile. (Information on how to do this is on the entry form page – scroll to the bottom!)
   • To win a prize you will need to be following the event sponsor (at the time of prize drawing) for the prize your name is drawn against and you will have had to use the hashtag on the photo.
   • Providing a link to your user profile in your entry will void your entry.

Please note: I do not provide IT support for using Instagram, if you’re having issues please contact Instagram directly or search via Google.

How this will work for a Facebook Group Member

1. Join the Farmer’s Wife Sew-along Facebook Group. (You must answer the questions asked when you request membership to be allowed into the group.)
2. Make block.
3. Take photo of block.
4. Post block photo to Facebook Group.
5. Complete an entry form.
   • If your name is drawn for a prize I will send you an email about it.
   • You have 24 hours from when I send the email to tag (@gnomeangel) in a comment on your photo for the block you have been drawn for. This means, for example, if you submitted an entry for Block #45 you need to tag me on your photo of block #45. I will tell you in my email which block it is so you can find it. Once you’ve tagged me, I will respond to the comment so you know that I’ve seen it – I will not tell you if you’ve tagged the wrong block or if the entry is void due to failure to comply to the entry requirements in this comment.
   • Failure to correctly tag your image within the 24 hour period will forfeit any claim to the prize. If you’re not sure how to tag someone please read this help article (click here).

Please note: I do not provide IT support for using Facebook, if you’re having issues please contact Facebook directly or search via Google.

How this will work for an Email Submission

1. Make the block.
2. Complete an entry form.
   • If your name is drawn for a prize I will send you an email about it.
   • You have 24 hours to reply and send me a photo for the block you have been drawn for. This means, for example, if you submitted an entry for Block #45 you need to send me a photo of block #45. I will tell you in my email which block it is so you can send the right photo.
   • Please be mindful of the file size of the photo you are sending as my email provider will block any large attachments and you will miss out on a prize because I won’t have gotten the email.
   • I will respond to the email within 48 hours to advise you that I’ve received it. (This should happen quicker than this, but I have a family and other commitments so please be considerate and give me time to respond.) I will not advise if it’s the wrong block or if your entry is void in the acknowledgement email.
   • Failure to email me with the correct information in the specified timeframe will forfeit any claim to the prize.

Please note: I do not provide IT support for using your email or sending photos via email, if you’re having issues please contact your internet provider directly or search via Google.

Block Photography Requirements

Because there’s prizes associated with this event I need a consistent, fair and easy to administer way to ensure everyone is on an equal playing field. Here’s how I do that: you must make your blocks as per the block in the book. That means:

• Blocks must be the same size as the book,
• Blocks must have the same seams as the book – no more, no less,
• Blocks must be photographed clearly showing all seams*,
• Blocks may have sashing added to some or all of the sides,
• Blocks must not be photographed quilted or in a finished quilt.

For the 10 blocks that Marti Michell templates do not cover I will except the 10 alternate blocks that Marti provides instructions for. The blocks must adhere to the above rules.

This makes it fair on everyone and makes it easy for me to work out a winner.

For those of you that would like to QAYG simply take a photo of the block before you quilt it, same goes for turning it into a quilt top.

* Applique handles will cover some seams on the relevant blocks, this is ok. The block just has to be made as per the block in the book.

How Prizes Will be Allocated

Because you can sew to your own timetable prize allocation will work like this:

• At the end of every month (with the exception of August 2018) I will draw a winner(s) from the prize pool entries.

Here’s some things to note:

• I will send a reminder in my Monday newsletter, on social media and in the Facebook Group that I’m going to be making a drawing so that you can get any last minute entries in.
• I will draw the winner on the 2nd day of every month to account for timezones. For example, September 2018’s winner will be drawn on October 2nd AEST.
  • Once I’ve found a winner, I will either announce that I’ve found a winner (if they’re on Instagram and I don’t have to wait for verification) or announce that I’ve emailed a winner and for people to check their mailboxes. I will not tag the person in these announcements.
  • Once I have confirmation from the winner (and please keep in mind this might take awhile if I have to go through more than one person to find a winning entry) I will announce who the winner is and update the list of winners.
  • I will keep you up-to-date where things are at throughout the steps. Winners will be finalised by the 10th of each month.
• Entries stay valid for the life of the event – this will allow people maximum flexibility with their entries.
• No one will win more than once. If you win a prize, your entries will be removed from the prize pool. It’s only fair that we share the prize love around.
• Blocks are not judged – so don’t worry about wonky seams, seam creep, fabric choices, etc.

For me, this event is not about prizes. It’s about creativity, having fun, making new friends and making a quilt that you will love. I only organise prizes because I like to do two things: 1. help promote those that are trying to keep our creative industry alive and 2. provide a little bit of excitement because everyone loves the chance to win something.

I dislike greed and so I try to spend as little time as possible on the administration of prizes or discussing the prize allocation process. If you’re participating in this event with your primary focus on winning a prize let me disavow you of that notion now. Statistically the chances of winning a prize are pretty slim so if you’re going to spend the next year making and photographing quilt blocks with a primary focus on winning a prize chances are you’re going to leave empty handed and make a quilt that doesn’t make your heart sing. I’m not about that, and I will do everything within my power to make sure that that type of attitude towards participating is stamped out.

And because I value transparency and I want you to be comfortable with how the event is administered here’s some other things that I take into consideration when allocating prizes:

• Have you been greedy? If you’ve harassed me (and you’ll know if I think you’ve harassed me because I’ll have told you) about the prizes you will not win a prize. I’m not rewarding greed.
• Have you been rude, demanding or unpleasant towards me or any of the event sponsors or participants? This event is run for free for participants. It takes a bucketload of uncompensated time and effort to pull together and administer. It is a massive undertaking which I do freely because I love this community so much and I want to have fun. If you have emailed me, DM’d me, commented on one of my posts and you have been rude, demanding, unpleasant or just plain nasty towards me or any other participants or event sponsors you will not win a prize. This includes failing to start ANY private correspondence (such as direct messaged and emails) without a salutation – don’t just start speaking at me, take the time to use some manners and say hello first. I maintain my right as the event administrator to exclude people from the prize pool who do not behave with respect, courtesy or common decency.
• If I have to contact you about your entries you will have 24 hours to respond and I will do my best to make sure you’re aware that I’m chasing you. If I contact you, it does not mean you’ve won a prize, it may mean you’re in the running it also might just be me needing to clear something up.
• Do I know the winner? If the randomly drawn winner and I have a relationship/friendship I will not award them a prize. I do not want to get into a position where there’s doubt cast over the prize allocation process because people think I’m giving prizes to my friends. If you’re not sure if you fall into this category drop me a message and we’ll talk about it.
• Is the winner a shop owner? If I’ve randomly drawn someone and they own a fabric shop, I won’t allocate them a prize. I don’t want to get into a position where someone could be awarded something and then on-sell it or use the information gathered from the prize allocation process nefariously. (Don’t roll your eyes, it’s happened before!)
• Does the winner work for an event sponsor or a business within the industry? I will not allocate a prize knowingly to someone who works for one of the event sponsors. I will also try to not allocate a prize to someone who works for a big company within the industry where they have shown that they get access to perks (like free fabric) because they work for that business. For me, this event is (in part) about trying to spread prizes to those that don’t have access to this type of thing on a normal basis.
• Is the winner an event sponsor? Event sponsors and their employess will not be eligible for prizes.
• Am I related to the winner? Family will not be eligible for prizes. (Sorry Mum!)

Entry FAQs

Here are the frequently asked questions specific to entering the prize pool, for other questions and answers please see the event FAQs by clicking here.

Q. Can I make more than one version of any of the blocks in the book and then enter it?

A. Yes, you can make more than one of the specific blocks. For every block you make you submit an entry into the draw.

Q. Where can I find the master list of winners?

A. I will announce the winners in a specific blog post once a month and also update the Sponsor + Prizes page with the winners details. You can find the page by clicking here.

Q. Why are social media entries worth more than email?

A. Because I said so. Sorry, just so used to saying it with my boy that it sometimes flows over into other things. They’re worth more because people have to give up their valuable social media account space to do it and I appreciate them sharing their blocks on social media and so I’m rewarding that.

Q. If I post to Facebook *and* Instagram, can I enter the same block twice?

A. Yep. You totally can. Which means you’d get 5 entries off the one block. You just need to make sure you’re meeting all the entry requirements for the method of block presentation that you submit.

And yes, if you want to post to Facebook and Instagram AND email me the photo. You can enter that way too. So there’s a maximum of 6 entries available for each individual block you make. You’re welcome.

Q. Why do you only give me 24 hours to reply?

A. Because I have to keep this show on the road, and if I have to wait for you to reply when you get to it it holds up everything else. There’s no wiggle room on this one – the event needs parameters and this is one that is in place because I have things that need to be done on top of running this free event.

Q. What if I don’t want to be in the prize pool?

A. That’s awesome and I’m 100% behind people making and sharing to connect. If you don’t want to be in the prize pool you’re more than welcome to share them on social media and use the event hashtag as a way to connect with people. In my opinion, the connections are better than the stress of trying to win a prize any day.

Q. I’ve tried but I can’t get the form to work, can you help me?

A. Yes, just send me an email and I’ll get back to you within 3 working days. Don’t panic about missing a prize draw – there’s heaps of time and prizes and I will make it widely known when the final draw is happening and when entries close and this will take into account a period of administration to help those that may be having issues submitting entries.

Q. Can’t I just email/direct message you my entries?

A. You could, but I have a family and a job that I need to attend to and so I don’t want to spend a million hours a week administering entries from my inbox. This method is the easiest way I can collect the data and make it fair for people participating across multiple platforms or who don’t want to have a social media account. If you email me your entry I’ll move it to the trash folder and not respond to your email.

Q. You seem really strict about all this, can’t you just take a chill pill and let us do what we want when we want?

A. Do you like participating in an event where you know what’s expected of you and there’s amazing prizes on offer? Yes? Well then you have your answer. I wish I could be all rainbows and kittens about the administration of the event but history has shown that without parameters and clearly defined expectations and responsibilities it’s not enjoyable for me because I waste precious family and sewing time on responding to a bazillion questions, people don’t stick with it because there’s no motivation to do so and sponsors don’t want to provide prizes because there’s no return on the investment for them. So, if you think I’m too strict then maybe this isn’t the event for you, and that’s ok. You could always set up your own and run it as you see fit. If you do, let me know and I’ll happily promote it.

Q. I still have questions that haven’t been answered here!

A. Well then head on over to the event frequently asked questions and check those out. Click here to read the event FAQs.

Q. I really don’t want to have to read all this stuff, can’t you just tell me?

A. If you don’t want to spend the time reading the FAQs for the event, I don’t have the time to reply to your question/DM/email. This is a two-way street. I host the event, do all the administration, chase sponsors, organise prizes, answer questions, administer groups and so on, the very least you can do is read the FAQs and help me out by not asking me something that’s already been covered. Thank you for your understanding.

Q. I’ve read everything and tried to find an answer to my question but it’s not here, please can I email you?

A. Yes. You get a gold star and you can email me. Sometimes it happens that I’ve missed something or it’s not as clear as it should be so emails from people who have taken the time to read and look for answers on their own are really fabulous and help make the event better for others. So, if you can’t find an answer please email me and we’ll work through it together.