In January, I decided I wanted to join the world of Round Robins. When I was doing my research about them, one of the first things mentioned was that you should do a round robin with people you “know.” (In real life or from a BB you frequent.)
At that point, I didn’t frequent the boards, but I knew a blogger that was promoting a new International Round Robin group, so I signed up for it and immediately got involved. It seemed all was going well, except on our first posting date one lady wasn’t finished and sent her robin only partially completed.
From then on this particular lady was a round robin participant’s nightmare: On the next post date she was also not finished with her round and claimed on the post date that she was still waiting for floss! Luckily, she finished that piece and sent it on, though it was a week late.
Then about a week before the third post date she sent us an email saying she was dropping out. A flurry of activity ensued concerning sending her robin back to her, whether or not we needed a substitute stitcher, and that she was sending the robin she was supposed to have been working on to the next person without putting a stitch into it! Just as we were getting things ironed out, she sent another email saying that she hadn’t meant to drop out of our robin!!
Then another lady apparently lost her email access and we haven’t heard from her since the first post date. I was getting my packages from her and while I received the first two, I haven’t received anything since. I finally resorted to writing her a snail mail letter inquiring what was going on, but still haven’t heard from her.
Since I wasn’t having a great experience with this group, but still wanted to do a round robin, I signed up for another round robin elsewhere. This was organized by a board I frequented, but since the board is large, the people that signed up for the robin with me were strangers.
Our first post date was June 10 and already there are problems. The person who is supposed to post to me is late (even though she did let me know that she would be late) and the person that gets my packages is a little boy of 9. Now, I had reservations in letting him participate to begin with, but thought I would give him the benefit of the doubt. However, I got a message from him yesterday saying he won’t be stitching on my robin because he “doesn’t stitch that way”… whatever that means!
Even so, those frustrations have not turned me away from round robins. However, I have learned my lesson and from now on will only being doing robins with people I “know.” And that is how it came about that I set up a blogger’s round robin with Cathy, Jo, Dawn, and Vash.
Though we aren’t posting for the first time until September, everyone is really excited and we have been emailing each other like crazy discussing, fabric, layouts, themes, and everything else. This is what I wanted a round robin to be like and I can’t wait to get started!
Dawn says:
I know that I am excited about it!
24 June 2005 at 19:04
Dani says:
Yes round robins can be quite disappointig sometimes. Especially when yours never makes it home. I don’t do them very often because of some of the same things you have expereienced.
25 June 2005 at 05:37
Sharon Hunting says:
Hi there,
Reading about your RR experience reminded me of mine… I have only ever been in one and it was a nightmare from start to finish… I vowed and declared that I would never go into another one…
I was so disappointed - lesson learnt though… Then the person who had caused the most difficulties emailed me and told me she was unpicking part of what I had done on hers as she didn’t like the colours… She had chosen them mind you… That was it… How I as cool tempered as I did remains to be seen…
This new RR you are planning just the thing to dispel any ‘ghosts’ of RR past. Good luck to you and the others with it…
25 June 2005 at 10:52
Cathymk says:
I’ve always been frightened to volunteer for round robbins because of the obligation to stitch to a timetable. I’d probably be the one who was a week late - and would feel absolutely awful about it.
I hope yours work out - tell us about your experiences (I might feel braver seeing someone enjoying participating in one)
25 June 2005 at 11:07
susie says:
I am sorry I couldn’t participate this time! Next time you start one, ask me again.
25 June 2005 at 12:21
Melanie says:
It’s great that you’re trying again, I would have been well and truly scared off by now! I have never participated in a RR (except the TWBB Ornament RR, which worked differently), partly because of worries of this kind. Hope the new one goes well.
26 June 2005 at 04:24
Cathy says:
I think DH is so sick of hearing about this robin. I talk about it incessantly. Last week, I was detailing for him the order in which I was going to receive each person’s project. I agree that the best part about it is that we know each other and are communicative.
27 June 2005 at 14:49
Tina says:
I’m a quilter and I have had wonderful RR experiences with very good friends on my quilting group on the internet. When I first started on Round Robins six years ago I had several horrible experiences. I look forward to reading that you gals are having a wonderful experience come this September. Hugs To All of You and I so enjoy your blog thanks for sharing your thoughts and talent.Tina
28 June 2005 at 01:54