The ROADS—Ask Questions Here

[Barbara B.]

Have questions about making your ROADS? Please use this topic to ask them. Thanks!

[carmeng]

Hi everyone!, I have a silly question regarding thread color for sewing the roads.... black or white?

[Barbara B.]

If you mean for piecing, dark is better than light generally. But I used the tan or gray I usually piece with. The blog recommends a small stitch length and BACKSTITCHING all the seams so they don’t open.

TIP--when sewing black fabric I like to use Navy Blue thread, and vice versa. It provides the dark color but is somewhat easier to pick out should you have a mistake that needs to be fixed--in case that ever happens to any of you...

[Monique C.]

Hi everyone
Why do we need to use the plastic templates? Since we are doing freezer paper piecing, we have to trim everything again before removing the freezer paper. I did one segment using template and the other one without and i do not see any difference. But there must be a good reason right?

[Barbara B.]

The template allows you to get the angle correct on both sides, making it easier to piece the arcs, even with paper foundations.

[Monique C.]

I think i know why i do not see any difference......I am doing the upper road and the circle is not as tight as the inner road.

[judy l.]

I’m considering a cobblestone road instead of asphalt. Would the piecing be the same or can I do a large circle?

[Barbara B.]

I’m considering a cobblestone road instead of asphalt. Would the piecing be the same or can I do a large circle?

If you mean can you cut a single piece of fabric into a big circle, you probably could. It would be essential that it be exactly the right size so you could create a paper template the full size. Or, yes, you could use the arc patterns to cut them from cobblestone fabric and piece the arcs together. I think that would be the most accurate method.

[Ruthann S.]

That's how I did mine Barbara

[Karen]

My interior circle measures 17.5 horizontally, but 18 inches across vertically. I have noticed some people saying they tightened up seam allowances. I am not sure what that means. Should I just increase seam allowances slightly around the circle? The interior circle looks round, not oval--not sure what went wrong.

[Barbara B.]

My interior circle measures 17.5 horizontally, but 18 inches across vertically. I have noticed some people saying they tightened up seam allowances. I am not sure what that means. Should I just increase seam allowances slightly around the circle? The interior circle looks round, not oval--not sure what went wrong.

Karen, look at each seam allowance to find the few that are slightly too narrow and "tighten them up". Just use a slightly wider seam allowance where needed.

I wouldn't attempt to oversize the Inner Road--just make it the correct size and "ease to fit"--not hard to get 1/2" eased in over the entire circle.

[Lynn H.]

I just noticed that my Mariners compass piece is 14.5 x 14.25! Not sure what to do to fix it before I try to put the road on it….

[Helen W.]

I’m considering a cobblestone road instead of asphalt. Would the piecing be the same or can I do a large circle?

Judy, I tried to upload a picture of the circles I did for my roads. The small ones (green) are one whole circle, the tan dirt
road for the outside road was cut it 4 pieced. I measure the diameters I needed and drew it in EQ8. HelenW

[Barbara B.]

I just noticed that my Mariners compass piece is 14.5 x 14.25! Not sure what to do to fix it before I try to put the road on it….

Assertive pressing might do it. Also look at all seam allowances to see if there are a few that are a bit wide. If you can pin it something, spritz with water and pin in lots of places so it is the correct size, allow to fully dry.

[Kathleen]

Okay, I sewed together my road strips for the inner road and cut into 2 1/2 inch segments as the instructions stated.
Well my template is too big for those 2 1/2 segments and now I must "do over". I purchased the kit so I am just keeping my fingers crossed that I have enough fabric for the upper road. The segments should be cut in 3 inch segments or just cut as you go.

[baerbel.sch]

I did not cut the strips, I directly placed the templates on the strips and switched the template one up next down and so on. That was easier tahn cutting once and than once again with the template

[Karen W.]

I have the roads finished, sewed to the inner and outer edges of my circles. Now will try to sew them together. I really think they detract from the quilt. So much contrast in the area. I wanted my houses and compass rose to stand out. The highway really is too distracting. Oh well. Maybe the next buildings will help.

[Barbara B.]

Okay, I sewed together my road strips for the inner road and cut into 2 1/2 inch segments as the instructions stated.
Well my template is too big for those 2 1/2 segments and now I must "do over". I purchased the kit so I am just keeping my fingers crossed that I have enough fabric for the upper road. The segments should be cut in 3 inch segments or just cut as you go.

The INNER ROAD pieces are cut into 2.75" segments and that size fits the Inner Road template. You cut the Inner Road with the Outer Road measurements (2.5").

There is very little extra black and white fabric in the kit. I recommend you first check to be sure you can cut all the fabric you need using the cutting instructions before you sew anything else. If you don't have enough fabric, you may want to substitute a different black and white from the beginning..

[Susan j.]

I want to share an experience regarding the adding of roads. I paper pieced my houses and roads, trimmed to the the lines. While adding the roads, I noticed that the stitching was opening up on the houses. Removed the road and put a row of stitching outside of the seam allowance.

I strongly suggest doing a stay stitching on the inner edge of the houses before adding the roads. When we make the large houses I'll be sure to do this step.

[Sharon P.]

I have experienced the same thing.great idea.thanks