OFFICIAL—Month 4. The trees

[Arlene G.]

Can you cut the background away from behind the treetops within a 1/4" of the straight stitching you did on the curve?

[Helen W.]

Yes, You can. Barbara said she did not do it because it wasn't necessary but if you want to reduce
bulk that would be a great way. Also, prevents show thru if your sky is darker than your tree greens.
HelenW

[Wendybean]

Where can I find a list of materials needed for "Colour my world". For example the white/cream that is going in the road. Is that also Clover Quick Bias??

[Barbara B.]

The Introduction lists all the fabrics in the Kit. The cream is not bias. LEARN, BOM, 2021 BOM, INTRODUCTION—info/patterns are under DOCUMENTS

BARBARA BLACK

[brigitte.wieser]

This is my round 4. I appliqued the trees and trunk by machine, trying a new technique by using the blind stich. For the first attempt I'm pleased.
Greetings from Vienna, Brigitte

[Helen W.]

Brigitte, Your trees look great. It is going to be a beautiful quilt. Using the blind stitch was a great idea. Thanks for sharing. HelenW

[baerbel.sch]

[Helen W.]

barbel, I looked at the zoom on your picture and I can't even see any stitches. That is great!!! HelenW

[baerbel.sch]

I used stich no 4 on my Bernina and the dark monofilament each on top and bobbin. Was fast and looks quiet good

[Lynn F.]

Is invisible stitching (for the trees) the same as stitching right on the edge?

[Helen W.]

Lynn, There are a number of ways to get invisible or should I say almost invisible stitches An easy way is to use clear mono poly thread like the kind superior makes. On.black you would use the smoke color . A blind stitch on a machine just takes a small stitch into the applique every few stitches. On black fusible bias a 1.0 1.0 zig zag that is on the edge could look invisible. ZAnd like you asked the black thread with a straight stitch you also would not see. That is what Barbara Black used. HelenW

[Paula R.]

I sewed the tree trunk bias strips using a straight stitch and 100 weight thread and liked the way it looked. When I did the same for my tree tops, I wasn’t crazy about it. I decided to top stitch the tree tops with a decorative scallop stitch and variegated green thread. I liked that look much better. I’m excited for the roads next month!!

[Sharon P.]

I made velum sheet to lay over blocks...I centered the pattern for tree placement as needed. I noticed the edges of the houses are either right on edge or a bit over on the side....are they suppose to be the same size as template is drawn....meaning I need to cut off a bit to be perfect with template? I hope that is the case.ha. I will hold my breath until I get the answer. Ha.

[Sharon P.]

I also noticed Barbara’s placement of trees. I set the roof of tall house at edge of tree but saw Barb’s had a space...help! Ha. I may be overthinking this...hopefully not.

[Barbara B.]

I also noticed Barbara’s placement of trees. I set the roof of tall house at edge of tree but saw Barb’s had a space...help! Ha. I may be overthinking this...hopefully not.

Sharon, place the edge of the tree top right along the top edge of the two house backgrounds. There should be space above the top of each roof, not a lot on the tallest roof, but a little space. Be sure you turned under the seam allowance you added to the lower edge of the tree top.

BARBARA BLACK

[Sally W.]

All of my trees are done as of yesterday..
Now to sew them into the ring.

[Kathleen]

I am finding that after I have sewn down my tree trunks and tree top, my house block dose not lay as flat as it did prior.
Has anyone else had this problem, am I doing something wrong?

[Helen W.]

Kathleen, Check you seams on both sides of the stitching to see that you have that accurate 1/4 inch. If you post a picture of your problem, it is easier to trouble shoot what may have gone wrong.
HelenW

[Connie]

o heck, How do I fix an un flat ring of houses? I have a rise of about half inch on one section and 1/4 on another when laying the ring on the floor.

[Helen W.]

Connie, It usually is the seams that connect the houses. A lot times when you stitch a seam and the 1/4 inch looks perfect on the top, the bottom fabric will shift on you. Especially down by the end of the seam. I would turn your pieces over and examine the seams for accuracy. Sure hope it is not
the seams with the trees, because you can't fix them. You would have to compensate on other seams and it is a lot of trial and error. If you take a picture and post it, of both the front and back
side, I might have some other ideas. HelenW

[Kathleen]

My seam allowances are 1/4 inch and my blocks were perfectly flat prior to sewing on the bias tape tree trunks and green tree tops.
After sewing on the Tree trunks and tree tops my block no longer lays flat

[Helen W.]

Kathleen, It looks quite good to me. You might give it a good press with steam and lay a book or something heavy on it while it cools. Thats was Sally Collins does to make things flat. HelenW

[sosallap]

My colorful world now has 32 houses joined together with trees. After resewing the seams near the bottom of half of the houses, I finally just stitched a 3/8 inch seam at the bottom of the sections and tapered it to 1/4 inch at the top. I think it now lies flat and will hopefully work when inserting the road. This has been a fun project for me and I have enjoyed seeing the many renditions of other quilters who certainly are creative.
PamS

[Kathleen]

Thank you Helen! It worked. I just gave them all a good press and it helped a lot.

[sosallap]

I love your swaying tree trunks!