Class in a Box

Another picture of baby Pokey on the back of Blooming Horrors, which I finished yesterday. At least I think it's done - I've already added more embroidery.


I've been kicking the idea of a "Class in a Box" around. What's that you say? First off there'd be a box and in it I would put free-pieced blocks such as letters, houses, hearts, asterisks. I could also put in samples of quilting such as freehand fans or the fun stuff with perle cotton (like the quilting on Space 4 Rent and Halloween Houses).

I could also include parts. Such as, parts of a house that you could play with and see how they go together. If there is any particular technique you can't get the hang of, I could try and figure out how to include a sample of that.

I would then mail the box off to whoever is interested in it. They could keep it for a week and would then be responsible for mailing it off to the next person. So all this class would cost is postage and maybe a new box, since I imagine the original is going to get beaten up. And yes groups of friends could get together to play and keep the costs down.

So anyone interested? What would you like to see? Better to keep the mailing costs down? Or who cares, cram it full of stuff? I could make up larger samples, finished quilts if you'd like, or just do small samples. (Notice I said I could make a quilt - don't think I'm willing to send one of my favorites around the world.) I could throw in a thready and a crusty if you'd like.

Everyone who gets the box could make a block to put in, that would eventually come back to me. (I've been thinking a quilt of unrelated letters would be really cool. All sorts of fabrics and styles...) I don't know how elaborate anyone wants to get with this. Include a block or gift for the next person to get the box as well? Add a journal that everyone could write in?

I'm thinking this box would start in the states and maybe just stay there for awhile. I think the costs would be outrageous if it were flying around internationally (Tanya's $75 for a box to Japan is still ringing in my mind). Plus, if we try to keep each hop short, it will go around faster.

You wouldn't have to have a blog to participate, just an email account to let me know you received the box and to get the address for the next participant.

What do you think?