The Final Robin?
Last evening I completed “Caterflies” Cat number one for my square of the robin that I have been working on. This is one of the robins I organized last year and unfortunately it fell apart rather early due to bad circumstances. As the organizer I am still trying to get the situation sorted out, but I guess that is one of the downsides of running such a group.
The robin got off to a rocky start when one person didn’t mail on time. When she finally did get the package mailed, she sent it to the wrong address and it was returned to her. At that point I began having my doubts about the person, but I decided to give her a second chance because, as we all know, things happen.
Eventually we all got our fabric and the second round began, but then another person in our group was in a car accident and couldn’t stitch while she was recovering.
We decided to cancel the robin when the second person was in the auto accident. At this point, the first person had two pieces of fabric, neither one of which was hers. She also stopped responding to all correspondence.
Though person one never replied, I asked everyone to send all fabric to me and then I would send each piece back to the respective owner. I got my fabric and that of the first person.
However, the first person never mailed the others’ fabrics to me and I told her that until I got the other ladies’ fabric back, I was keeping hers. Once again she didn’t respond so I kept her fabric in its envelope and patiently waited to get the other ladies’ fabric back.
After a while I decided that it wasn’t fair that the third person in the robin not get her fabric back, as she actually participated fully and mailed on time. The problem was, I wasn’t really sure how to handle the situation. It isn’t like I could go to the first person’s house and demand the fabric back… she lives hundreds of miles away!
Finally, I decided that I would give the first person one last chance: I emailed her and told her she has until July 1 to mail the fabrics back to me. I will stitch my square as is my obligation and if I get the other ladies’ fabric back, I will mail her back her fabric as I always said I would.
However, if I don’t receive the other ladies’ fabric by July 1, I will send her fabric to a substitute stitcher and have it finished. I will then mail it to person number three.
Of course, it means that person number three won’t get back her own fabric, but she will be getting a robin back that was completed by three of the four people in her group.
And with that I am finished with stitching and moderating round robins… at least for a while. 
6 June 2007 at 21:54
Good for you Renee on keeping on track of your robin, even if others don’t. I am presently in a robin in which I wish the organizer was as diligent as you. The 6-person robin (my first)fell apart after round 2. The person who currently has my fabric has not answered email in over 6 months, so I dont’ think I’ll get it back. Doesn’t make me want to sign up for others, although it sounded fun at first. I can totally understand you taking a break from this - too stressful.
7 June 2007 at 06:13
Bummer. I do hope the fabric eventually finds its way home. I had a rr I particpated in and was able to see the finished photos all the way along and the last person finished the piece and posted the photo on her blog. And that is where it stayed. To this day, she still has the piece. No amount of cajolling or threats got it home. One day I will try it again.
7 June 2007 at 07:55
This is just too usual. I was in one series of round robins where the organizer was the one who wasn’t so ethical. She has *three* of my round robins. Two of them are almost finished! It makes me sick to read about round robins…
7 June 2007 at 11:38
That’s awful that the one individual won’t at least return the fabric. I can understand something happening and not being able to get a part of it stitched, but not to return something that isn’t yours seems like stealing. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that she’ll surface and return it to you so that it can be straightened out. I’ve never done a RR, as wasn’t sure I could keep up and didn’t want to cause problems to the others, never thought about a part of a RR going missing (unless it was due to being lost in the mail).
7 June 2007 at 14:40
Hello Renée! I understand now why you were reluctant to start another round of robins. I’m sad that you’re going to close the board, but I understand perfectly how much job it is for you. Have fun stitching, that’s the important thing!
Catherine Michèle
8 June 2007 at 10:10
Maybe it’s an idea for everyone who’s been stung to get together and do a round robin?
At least then no one is tempted not to complete or post things on because they know just how it feels to have that happen.
I’ve only ever done one exchange and whilst it was fun I don’t really think it’s my thing. I think it’s the pressure of deadlines thing, stresses me out too much, which isn’t good when I stress easily anyway.
13 June 2007 at 09:40
What a disappointing experience, Renee. I don’t think anyone can blame you for being sick of RRs at this point. I’m also sad that you are closing Robin’s Nest, but it’s important that you do what you need to do for you. *hug*