Spinning Spools--ASK QUESTIONS HERE

[Kathy C.]

I have the same question, Karen. I have lots of Steam a Seam II Lite and am hoping this will work. And thanks for the great suggestion of using four sheets of freezer paper ironed together for a template.

[Paula T.]

I want to cut the blades out, the long edge of the blade measures 8.25 inches printed, the block is 8.5. Are these blades correct from my printer, how long are they supposed to be? I don't want to cut them short, Thanks, Paula

[Geraldine G.]

My question is related to yours, Paula. The square on the pattern page did not measure 2” when I printed it on my printer. When I enlarged it to measure the 2” required as stated by the box.... the half moon now measures more than 8.5” tip to tip. In Alex’s video it looked like the half moon fit across the 8.5” sheet. I don’t want to cut until we get these questions answered. What should the half moon measure tip to tip? Can we get an answer soon, please?

[Anne B.]

To get the square to print at exactly two inches (and therefore to get the blades to print at the right size), you need to make sure the PDF is set to print at the actual size. You should see two choices in the print dialogue: "Fit" and "Actual Size." Make sure the checkmark is in the box next to "Actual Size."

[Jane T.]

I would like to use my Cricut to cut out my arcs on my stabilizer, but I am having trouble creating an .Svg file. Anyone have one they would share or instructions on how to do that? Thanks.

[Leslie L.]

Hi Jane T,
I'm using my silhouette cameo and I scanned in the half moons to my studio software then saved the file as an SVG. I don't know if we're allowed to upload files here, but I have it if you need it. Maybe I could email it to you?

[Helen W.]

I have the same question, Karen. I have lots of Steam a Seam II Lite and am hoping this will work. And thanks for the great suggestion of using four sheets of freezer paper ironed together for a template.

Sunnysewsit, What Alex is using allows her to do a turned edge for her applique using a glue stick to turn the seam allowance.
You could not do a turned edge with Steam a Seam lite, but you could make it raw edge applique. You would cut the arc without
a seam allowance on the curved part if you use steam a seam lite. HelenW

[Kathy C.]

You're right about being able to turn under by using Steam a Seam - I will try one using a light-weight interfacing to see how that works. Thanks Helen

[Helen W.]

You could use a light weight fusible interfacing and trace the arc including the seam allowance. Cut it out. Cut out the arc including
seam allowance. Pin the interfacing fusible side facing right side of arc. Sew on the seam allowance sew line. Turn it inside out
and fuse to the spool block. Then edge stitch. HelenW

[Sharon M.]

I found this technique by Lori Buhler and am trying it. It is a version of turn technique that looked perfect for this application. It's from her book "Fuss-Free Machine Appliqué: Sew on the Line for Great Results by Lori Buhler," and is described on this site https://blog.shopmartingale.com/quil...ue-by-machine/. It uses Easy Pattern strips with the blades traced on them and a strip of fabric, then you just sew the finished seam lines. You really need to look at the pictures in the article - didn't want to copy/paste for copyright reasons.

[Jane T.]

To those wondering why Alex didn't use Fabric Prep, I believe she did cover that in one live. She said she wanted something with absolutely no stretch in any direction and that is not the fabric prep. It is a bit more fluid than the product she chose. I don't have that, so I am going to try Stable Stuff and glue to keep it in place.

[Helen W.]

Jane, Stable Stuff and glue should work great. HelenW

[Kathy C.]

Duh - that would have been much easier than my spray basting and then turning and glueing! I had completely forgotten about the turning inside-out method! Thanks again, Helen. Can I adopt you?

[Rochelle W.]

I had my blocks ready yesterday to assemble when Alex was going to give the secret of how to put everything together. Unless I missed something on the video, she did not address how to add the half moon pieces. I was wondering if that was going to happen in a subsequent video and if so, when that would be. I am anxious to finish my quilt!

[Helen W.]

Rochelle, I believe she said next Monday she would put the arcs on the blocks. That would be May 17th. HelenW

[Jane T.]

Just thought I would let you all know, i didn’t have print n fuse lite, so I got out my Stable Stuff and am using glue and it’s working well.

[Anne B.]

Alex, could you please tell us what page of Barbara Brackman's book contains the Spinning Spools block? I can't find it, so I suspect it has a name that has nothing to do with spools. Would like to look it up.

[Monique L.]

I think she called it London Bridge.

[Anne B.]

Thanks, Monique.

[Barbara B.]

My question is related to yours, Paula. The square on the pattern page did not measure 2” when I printed it on my printer. When I enlarged it to measure the 2” required as stated by the box.... the half moon now measures more than 8.5” tip to tip. In Alex’s video it looked like the half moon fit across the 8.5” sheet. I don’t want to cut until we get these questions answered. What should the half moon measure tip to tip? Can we get an answer soon, please?

The Half Moon is 8.5” from tip to tip on the straight edge. It fits the pieced square exactly because it was trimmed to 8.5”.

[Kathy C.]

Well, a couple of days ago I opened my washing machine and found three fat quarters that had been washed but not dried. Two were green and one was green and blue. Now I'm torn about taking some of the strips apart and putting in the green and blue one instead. Just when I was getting ready to put the blades on, grrr. Old age is settling in.

[Alex A.]

I feel your pain!

[Barbara B.]

I want to cut the blades out, the long edge of the blade measures 8.25 inches printed, the block is 8.5. Are these blades correct from my printer, how long are they supposed to be? I don't want to cut them short, Thanks, Paula

The Half Moon shapes are 8.5" from tip to tip on the straight edge. They fit exactly to the 8.5" pieced blocks made earlier. Double check your printing scale. If you can't get it to print correctly, just draw it--you know the size, 8.5" across and you have the curve. Create your own template.

[Judith E.]

I'm getting ready to cut my moons. Does the pattern include the 1/4" for the curve?

[Helen W.]

Judith, You fuse the pattern template fusible to the fabric, then you cut 1/4 inch beyond the template on the curve so you can glue it down. HelenW

[Barbara B.]

I'm getting ready to cut my moons. Does the pattern include the 1/4" for the curve?

The pattern shows the curve is the finished edge. Did you watch Lesson 4? Alex explains to cut out the fabric curved edge 1/4” beyond the pattern after you press the pattern to the fabric.

[Becky M.]

I decided to make more blocks and enlarge this quilt. But now I need more white... I’m wondering about using bleach solid instead of the white. (Since I do have enough black solid now). Alex, any opinion on what this change means for this quilt??

[Helen W.]

Becky, Are you asking what it would look like with a combination of some arcs white and some arc black. What does bleach solid
mean? HelenW

[Becky M.]

Oh my!! It should be BLACK solid! No bleaching here.....
I’m wondering what your opinion is on using black instead of white fabric?