Talk Temari StitchAlongs

        One activity on TalkTemari is a group project (for both learning and fun) called StitchAlongs. Sometimes we do pattern or stitch/method actual tutorials, sometimes we try to figure out a pattern, etc.. It can be because of people requesting something or offering to lead one (if you have a request or suggestion, or want to volunteer to lead one, email me at gttemari@verizon.net and we will schedule it. This is so we can coordinate things without everyone jumping in at once and falling all over each other. I’m also always here to help if you need it with support needs).

        We do it in steps by separate posts on the list so everyone can "play" along, working as we go, posting questions as needed. This is not just writing up a pattern and posting it, turning everyone loose on it.  It's actually working step by step through the subject, slowly and together, on TalkTemari. Some SAs are geared to everyone, some are beginner tutorials, others are for more advanced stitchers.For those that are not "playing" the subject line of the discussion will always be "StitchAlong" so you can ignore those posts if you care to. Some people choose not to actually stitch, but do "listen and watch" as it goes. After the project is done, we have open discussion for those that have suggestions, thoughts, etc.. The project is then usually posted to the StitchAlong Patterns in the TemariKai.com Pattern Index.

How StitchAlongs work:   Any given StitchAlong has one leader. There is no formal sign up, but there may be a poll to be sure that there is interest.  The leader will post the materials list along with the pre-requisite skills, and the starting date.  There will be a post every few days on the list, along with info/diagrams/photos in the Albums and/or Files sections of TalkTemari Yahoo. In between the posts, whatever questions you have, ask away on the StitchAlong project "thread" (no pun intended, that's the word for the chain of messages on the same topic) and upload photos of questions in your work to the folder set up in the Album  section of TT Yahoo. We'll help each person as we go, and we take it a somewhat slow pace in that a new step post comes every few days, so that everyone has a chance to keep up.

The only "rules" are that:
1) The leader is the leader during the project, so as to avoid "information overload" and confusion. That's not to say that the leader's ideas are the only ones for the project or technique, it's that we do need to keep a little control on things while the project is being done. The leader (only) answers questions during the project - this keeps things from spinning out of control. After everyone is finished then we have "open call" for anyone else on TT to add their thoughts to the info pool on the topic/design.

2) It's asked that you don't jump ahead, even if you know or think you know what is coming next, as we work through the steps. By that we mean please don't post questions ahead of where we are, and please don't post photos of your work ahead of where we are. No one can stop you from chugging away if that is what you want to do (although we've had some people get "caught" thinking they knew what was to come... and guess what :>P ) but please don't confuse or inhibit the other folks working the project by "going public" ahead of everyone else.

3) If you are going to stitch, you need to be ready to start when the project starts (there will be plenty of notice - usually at least a week). Joining in and asking questions to catch up after the fact only confuses and sidetracks those that are working along. If you miss the start, you can work on your own to catch up if you want, but please don't post "old" questions once the project has moved on. If you need help then please wait for the general discussion and the final pattern directions to be posted to Temarikai.com.

4) Please participate by REPLYING to the TalkTemari post about the step being worked on. It will have a subject line of something like "StitchAlong Project Post 1 dd/mm/yy" - and do not start a new message thread on your own. This keeps things together and organized, allows the leader to keep track of things (otherwise your question may not get answered), keeps the SA posts from distracting those that are not stitching along, and allows for us to compile the information for later posting on TemariKai.com. Conversely - please keep the SA discussion threads limited to the SA project. If you want to talk about a related issue, start another discussion line.

5) You must be honest with yourself regarding the pre-requisite skills (if there are any) and skill level. While some SAs are directed at teaching skills and methods, others are designs that may require prior knowledge of certain skills. SAs are not tutorials for those pre-req skills. If a particular SA is beyond your current abilities, then be patient and one will come along that is more suitable. There are a lot of people on TalkTemari, ranging from very beginners to master stitchers and through the course of the year we make every effort to target everyone - but it can't be done at the same time. The point being made here is:  questions about the pre-requisite skills and experience needed for the project are not going to be answered or handled during the SA. If you are shaky with pre-reqs but want to try anyway, ok;  but, if things go wonky then please acknowledge that you are out of step because of not being ready for the skill level. Therefore, this isn't the discussion you'll want to be posting in, or if you do you'll need to understand if the leader says "I'm sorry, that's one of the pre-reqs needed and we're not covering that in this project". It is very important to understand this for several reasons: *) we don't want someone to become frustrated at the art as a whole, by trying to begin or stitch something way beyond the learning point they are at; *) we don't want people thinking that a given stitchalong leader is mean, nasty, rude, ignoring them, putting anyone down (insert whatever negative you want here), because questions about the stitches and skills that were listed as "what you need to know before you start" are not being addressed during the project. It's not fair to the leader and we want everyone to understand ahead of time that this is the way the project works. There are indeed stitch-alongs that address the very basics and every question is taken. *) we don't want the other folks that are stitching on pace becoming frustrated and delayed in continuing the design.

        We're always looking for folks willing to lead a StitchAlong - and it can be from something quite basic to a more challenging project. I'm happy to discuss what's needed (not much) and offer help to anyone wishing to to give it a try. It's a great way to give back to the online Temari community especially if this is where you are gaining most of your learning and experience :>)  Drop me a note at gttemari@verizon.net and I'll be glad to answer questions, help if needed and get things set up with you.