BOM 2014 - A-Z for Ewe and Me

[Geneva C.]

I won't do it. I just can't do it! I'm moving mid year! But the half sized version is calling out to me. Oh dear....

Loved all the versions I've seen. It looks so fun. And I like the QAYG idea.

Margo, glad you are feeling better. You've had quite a rough go and deserve some sunshine and roses.... Here's a hug.

[Janet S.]

OK Janet, you have me pondering circles in the border...I guess we're not supposed to ask ahead of the month, but in an attempt to give lots of shopping time...how are these made? Beading, buttons, raw-edged and turned circles...all of the above?

Sue, the larger circles in the border are all raw edge appliqued just like the letters. The tiny circles are buttons. You can applique the circles any way you like, or use any buttons you like. The buttons I used are about 1/4" wide and I got them at Joanns, where they have the larger packages of craft buttons.

[Susan B.]

Annis, I hope you read this. I was looking at your Show and Tell, reading your description about frayed-edge applique with batiks. What stitch do you use around the edge (I recall triple stitch somewhere in the past), and then do you do something to the edge other than let them fray naturally with use?

[Annis C.]

I use a triple stitch 1/8" from the edge. I cut my appliques slightly larger to allow for the fraying. I will just wash it and see what happens. Sometimes you have to give the applique edges a "haircut" or do some clipping like on rag quilts. Since I'm using batiks I don't expect the edges will fray like homespun plaids. You might want to make a sample block with the fabrics you are using first.

[Barb A.]

As usual, trailing behind, but still excited to be a part of this wonderful quilt!

In looking at the photos, I realized that there is also a star on the F block, which I had missed somehow. So I looked more closely at the whole quilt and see that some, but not all, of the letters have a star. So is the star just a little bit of whimsy (which I really love) here and there? Or is there a secret code to placement?

Barb in Alabama
temperatures dropping boo-hoo

[Janet S.]

As usual, trailing behind, but still excited to be a part of this wonderful quilt!

In looking at the photos, I realized that there is also a star on the F block, which I had missed somehow. So I looked more closely at the whole quilt and see that some, but not all, of the letters have a star. So is the star just a little bit of whimsy (which I really love) here and there? Or is there a secret code to placement?

Barb in Alabama
temperatures dropping boo-hoo

LOL! I love the idea of a "secret code", but the stars were just put in places where I thought they were needed! I may have to sock that secret code idea away for another quilt though!

[Barb A.]

Well, Janet, I grew up in the age of Flash Gordon and even had the secret decoder ring! I guess that whole secret code thing is still with me. :lol:

Barb in Alabama
Waaay too cold here

[Betty J.]

I am always intrigued by a secret code concept on a quilt, and whatever Janet says, she'd be sure to deny it if there is one...... :lol: :lol: :lol: But Janet, if you DO decide to make a secret code quilt, we should talk. 8) 8) 8) 8) :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Betty J.]

Trying to download PDF for Little Scraps of learning. It does not respond. Anyone else having this problem?

[Lois B.]

Trying to download PDF for Little Scraps of learning. It does not respond. Anyone else having this problem?

I had problems with the link from the newsletter but was able to access the project from the Projects page.

[Lois B.]

Thanks Lois. Didn't think to look there. Worked great. Nan in cold upstate (on Canadian border) NY

[Susan B.]

Possibly beating a dead horse, but I need advice on pre-washing batiks. I decided to pre-wash and organize my entire stash. :roll: :roll: It may take a while, but my back is screaming because I spent a day washing small batches in the bathtub in clear plastic bins. I need to change to the washing machine.

How do you know when enough is enough? I washed a batch of really dark batiks (purple/blue) with two Color Catchers TWICE, with double rinses. The first CC's were brilliant, the 2nd, not so much, but still had plenty of color. Am I safe?

I can't imagine trying to wash all the fabric individually to find the culprits. Help!

[Margo C.]

Susan, I don't usually prewash my fabrics, but I do pre TEST anything the might possibly bleed! I'll cut a piece about 4" square and put it in a white bowl (mine is Corelle) with HOT water. You can tell almost right away if the color is going to bleed because the water changes color and you can see it against the white bowl. It's a PITA to do, but not as painful as dealing with a bleeding fabric after the project is quilted!!

If the water stays clear, I don't worry.
If the water shows color, I wash that fabric and use Retayne until the water is clear.
If the water doesn't clear, I THROW THE FABRIC AWAY!! :shock:

[Margo C.]

If the water doesn't clear, I THROW THE FABRIC AWAY!! :shock:

:shock: That seems a bit extreme :shock:
How about collecting them all up together and only using them in a quilt by themselves? Or using them to help dye some other yardage :wink:

One thing I learnt from a dyeing friend, is that it is not so much the amount of rinses that makes a difference as the amount of time it spends in the water (preferably warm), so if you have a bleeder (in more ways than one :wink: ) leave it to soak for a day or two, with Retayne if you have it, then rinse & check. I had this problem with my Sottts backing fabric and it ended up with numerous soakings with Synthapol (cos that is what I had) over several days - not good with a deadline, but it worked.

[Margo C.]

Good advice, Rosemary! Throwing away the fabric is obviously a last resort after trying several things to set the dye!