(Barbara B says) Please get there at least 10 min’s early to ensure we can start in a timely manner.  Please spread the word and if people are interested, have them email Barbara B at tigardpetiteswap@yahoo.com to be added to the all size tigard list! All unswapped clothes will go to another great organization this month.
Also, we’ll be having a KID’S SWAP this month that will begin after the women’s swap at 7:25 in the adjoining room for more information click here. Any leftovers will be donated to NW Children’s outreach for newborn-4T.   4T and up will be donated to 3 different orphanages in Ethiopia. We will have someone briefly share more details the night of the swap! If you are participating in both swaps, please come early to allow ample time to drop off clothes, etc. We normally have a great turnout for our quarterly kids swap!

See info. below if this is your first swap!
Bring clothes/shoes/accessories that you no longer love but are still clean and in good condition to our Feb. swap.

What: All size women’s/teens clothing swap (it’s FREE!)
When: Monday Feb. 20th at 7pm (Always the 3rd Monday of every month)
Where: Colossae Church, located in Park 217, you’ll see a blue sign outfront that say’s “Colossae”. Address is 12176 SW Garden Pl, Tigard, OR 97223.

What to bring: Bring only CLEAN womens clothing – thanks for washing up everything you bring:). Also bring any accessories, shoes, purses, and other wearable items. Bring bags to take your new clothes home with you.

The idea behind the Swap is to offer and get free clothes, forever. No money changes hands with these clothes ~ even if you get them home and decide they aren’t quite `you’, we ask that you GIVE them away to someone. Leftovers from the swap will be donated to a local charity. We’ll also be taking men’s clothes this month if you have any to donate.

1. Wash all items before bringing to the swap. Check the pockets for tissues, gum, and money.
2. We are a clothing swap, not fabric swap, so the bottoms of pant legs or sweaters with a sleeve missing are not usable for us regular people. Also, please no household items.
3. People who’ve been to swaps before know this, but thought I’d bring it up for newbies…No cheating! No taking, or hiding, or stuffing things into your sack before we officially start! It only makes it fair for all of us. And NO HOARDING once the swap begins, let’s be fair to everyone who is there.
4. Wear a swim suit or spandex workout clothes under your street clothes when you swap. Try stuff on before you take it home. See how great you look in a mirror (we’ll have at least 3 available for you). If it doesn’t fit, throw it back into the pile so someone else can see if it fits them.
5. It’s fun to see people smile as they try on something you brought, or see the encouragement of ‘that looks great on you’ and ‘here are some jeans your size’. You’ll be able to try new fashions you’d never dream to try on in a store
6. All remainders will be donated to a non-profit that will give the items away for FREE:)
7. Please do NOT bring: clothes that are stained/dirty/smelly/not wearable. If you are participating in the kids swap, then bring your children’s clothes and that swap will take place in a separate area after the women’s swap.
Go to swappositive.wordpress.com  to find details on the children’s clothing swap , different size swap, or other swap venues taking place.

If this is your first swap, Here’s how a Swap works…
Shoes, purses, accessories, and jewelry will be in a separate pile.

All of the clothes will be kept in bags while we wait. Shoes and accessories can go into a separate pile…but no pre-swapping please. When everyone is present, the swap coordinator will give the go-ahead and we’ll empty bags into piles on the floor. After you empty your bags, please step back until everything is out and ready. Things in the middle of the room in rows are free. Items in little piles around the room, against the walls in bags, or on chairs are someones’ stash.

When everything is in piles, the swap coordinator will say, “Go!” And we’ll all start at the same time. That way everyone has the same opportunity to find new clothes.

Take what looks good to you, gather it into your pile, then try them on. Mirrors are available. If they aren’t quite `you’, throw them back into the pile for someone
else to enjoy.

Please support our mission by enjoying the swap as a place to get free stuff, and if you part with your new-to-you swap items, we ask that YOU do it in a free way too!

Please bring friends and spread the word; the more the merrier and more clothes to swap! To get on the Tigard All-Size swap list, email Barbara B:   tigardpetiteswap@yahoo.com

Bring women’s and children’s clothing plus small toys to swap.  Also bring clean and usable men’s clothing, bedding or fabric that you would like to donate.  NOTE - often the organizations we give to don’t have the resources to launder/clean the quantity of items that we share forward. 

The extra clothes and toys from this swap will be donated to the following organizations;

KIDS  <8  & TOYS -

All toys and clothes nb-4t will continue to go to Northwest Children outreach, a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to helping families in the Portland area and surrounding communities.  They provide clothing, infant care products, and many other necessities parents need for their children.  NCO does not discriminate against any child regardless of religious, political, or other affiliations. 

4t-7 will go to 3 different orphanages in Addis Abba in Ethiopia. One is a HIV/AIDs orphanage while the other 2 are state run orphanages.

KIDS 8+, WOMEN’S CLOTHING & FABRIC -

Among the organizations that we support is a domestic abuse shelter in McMinnville that serves women and children escaping abusive situations.  This shelter covers the coastal area; Astoria to as far south as Eugene, and Lincoln City to Newberg.  They have great need of clothing of all sizes from birth on up and all women’s sizes.  For boys, they serve up to age 12 years; 13+ have to go to a juvenile center that serves teen boys.  The boys also need clothing.  There is also a group of women who sew clothing for the women to use for interviews, so fabric is always welcome.

MEN’S CLOTHING, SHOES & BEDDING –

When we accept clean donations of gently used men’s clothing, it is given to the Transition Projects.This worthwhile organization works to break the cycle of homelessness and support to parolees and others by providing support for jobs, basic hygiene, meals, shelter and clothing. All items are gratefully received and directly given to those in true need. This time of year, all warm clothing and bedding is desperately needed, as well as interview-appropriate clothing and shoes.

SWAP DETAILS -

TIMES:

SIZES:

SMALL Toys only and Accessories - lightly used and clean including socks, shoes, boots, hats, scarves, mittens, sunglasses, books, tapes, CD’s, videos, DVDs.

CONTACT:  pdxkidswap@gmail.com
If you have any questions about the swap or are not on our email list and would like to receive email notification of future clothing swaps send us an email with the size and gender of clothing you will bring and the size and gender of clothing you need (we will not spam or sell your name to anyone.)  The only “membership” rule is that you be respectful and have fun! Please bring only clothing and small accessories to this swap.

NEXT SWAP: Our next swap in Tigard will be in the spring.  To volunteer for a swap send an email and let us know or visit with your swap host after a swap.  A little help goes a long way – we will not ask for too much of your time.  If you are planning a kid clothing or toy swap or if you know of one let us know and we’ll pass it on to the e-list.

MORE SWAPS: Love to swap?  There are other swaps near you.  Go tohttp://swappositive.wordpress.com/other-swaps/ to get contact information for other monthly clothing swaps and stuff swaps – all free.   If you are interested in having your own clothing swap and would like tips and information, speak to your swap host after the swap.

PASS IT ON: If you know someone who would be interested in attending a clothing swap please feel free to pass this email along.

To get on the Childrens Clothing and Toy swap list, please contact Jennifer:   pdxkidswap@gmail.com .

To get on the All Size Women’s clothing swap Tigard list, please contact Cindy:   simple_and_enough@yahoo.com

To reserve your space, please rsvp to Jennifer at: jenmatsumura@gmail.com

Here are the details – and please be conscientious by bringing clothes in good, wearable condition. Thank you!

Women’s Size 0-5 Clothing Swap
People’s Food Coop
3029 SE 21st AVENUE
PORTLAND, OREGON 97202
503.232.9051
Friday 2/17/12
7pm
Upstairs Community Room

Clean out your closet! Gather all the clothes that you don’t wear or want. Include accessories like shoes, hats, belts, purses, jewelry, etc, but put them in a separate bag (we have a sep. pile for these so they don’t hit someone in the head during the swap). WASH ALL ITEMS before you bring them, as some people have allergies; we want all the clothes to be clean so everyone can enjoy the swap.

General Swap Info:

1.) You may wish to wear spandex or work out clothes underneath your regular ones so you can try stuff on without exposing yourself completely. Children are always welcome at the swap, so we want everyone to feel comfortable.

2.) Because it creates work for me and others to donate the left over clothing, PLEASE ONLY BRING STUFF THAT SOMEONE WOULD WANT. If the sweater has shrunk terribly in the dryer, no one else will want it either. If it has a stain or a rip, we don’t have seamstresses right now to mend it, so please don’t bring it. If it is old and has seen most of its life, please don’t bring it. Thanks for your understanding and assistance with this one.

3.) NO MOLDY OR MILDEWY CLOTHING. Often, if clothes have sat in a drawer for just a little while, they get musty… it’s Oregon! Musty, mildewy smelling clothes activate and bother people’s allergies. We want the swap to be a fun place for all, so PLEASE WASH YOUR CLOTHES BEFORE BRINGING THEM.

4.) Hardly used or new undergarments are allowed at the exchange, but they must be placed in a plastic bag and put in the pile of accessories, not the pile of clothing. This ensures that no one accidentally has to handle someone’s underwear while swapping in the pile.

Due to space contraints, please reserve your space by contacting Jennifer at: jenmatsumura@gmail.com

I got this great silk knit t-shirt at a Free Swap!

I got this silk knit t-shirt at a recent medium clothing swap.  Learn more about it here.  If you’ve found items at a swap, you might be able to share them here as well.  Check Other Swaps if you are looking for a swap in your size, or in your area of town.   If you don’t see a swap in a size, interest, or area of town that is close to you, you can start one!

It’s time for you to think about all of those clothes and accessories in your closet that you don’t wear, that don’t fit, that you no longer use or want, and that NEED a new life and someone else to wear and enjoy them!  

Clean out your closets, storage, and accessories drawers, and wash up all of those items in good condition that you don’t want/wear anymore.  Bring everything wearable to this swap. 

I got this necklace from a free swap

I got this necklace at yesterdays swap, and LOVE it because it’s lightweight. I’m not sure what material the beads are made of, but they are smooth rounded heart shapes in the colors of silver, charcoal and black, with a gold cord and small gold round metal beads between each heart shape. Metal clasp closure. I like it because it has a classic yet modern look about it, doesn’t overwhelm my petite figure, and yet makes a statement. And the colors are neutral enough to go with many things I already have.

We are doing the same thing – just without a vending machine.  In fact, instead of one small vending machine of space, we’ve got a WHOLE GYM to swap women’s medium size clothes tomorrow!  Lot’s of space for all the clean clothes, shoes, accessories, and other wearables that you no longer need, use or love…and where you can find new-to-you things you can use and love!  For more information on the women’s medium swap this Saturday, click here.

02/02/12  WEST SIDE/TUALATIN,   All-SIZE women (and teens) clothing swap! Includes  sizes 1-5, 6-10, 11-16, plus sizes, maternity, shoes and accessories.   Because of limited venue space, please RSVP to Diana and let her know your size category:   mom@blackboxphotography.com

02/04/12   CLARK COUNTY, WA ,  Women’s small/medium swap, they  ask that people sort their clothes so they can do separate piles, 0-5 and 6-12, usually the first Saturday of the month – contact them to make sure.  Dorothy hosting and Jazmyn on the web. clarkcountyclothingswap@gmail.com

02/04/12   NE PORTLAND, Size medium (6-12) women’s clothing swap.  Find out more at the next NE PDX swap.

02/12/12  18TH AND EAST BURNSIDE Size 10-14 women’s and teens clothing swap.  To reserve you space (RSVP) and for more information, contact Amy Alice at amyalice58@gmail.com

02/17/12   SE PORTLAND, Seed and Plant Swap, 7pm, TaborSpace in SE Portland. For more infomation, click here.

02/17/12    SE PORTLAND, Women’s size small (0-5)  www.PDXpetite.webs.com,  Monthly on the third Friday. Please contact hostess Jennifer to RSVP and for more information jenmatsumura@gmail.com

02/20/12   TIGARD/WESTSIDE, All Size Womens’ clothing.   Contact Barbara and Cindy at tigardpetiteswap@yahoo.com  (takes place the 3rd Monday of every month, handicapped accessible).

-and a sneek peek into March-

03/03/12 Gresham Family swap (times to be announced) 651 SE 197th Ave Portland, OR 97233. See the facebook page. For further details and to RSVP, contact Amber gresham.swap@gmail.com.

If you’d like to start a free swap here’s how.

What’s so different about Free Swaps?