Backgrounds--what size to cut them?

[Barbara B.]

I am often asked for information for future months and I resist providing that in advance. It confuses people.

Feeling especially helpful today, I think it would be beneficial to know what size the backgrounds will be cut--especially for those working with the Kit. So, here goes:

You are safe cutting backgrounds for the vase blocks 14" (H) x 15" (W)--they don't all need to be that size, a few are 1" narrower, but I will not provide detailed monthly information now. 14" x 15" will do it.

The narrow vases in Months 10 and 11 are made from different backgrounds for all four vases--each background is cut 16" x 8" -- I mentioned this on the LIVE today.

For Month 2, the backgrounds need to be 23.5" x 5.5", there are four of those--BUT WAIT--the Month 2 Video and my Month 2 blog will tell you how you can cut only 2 strips of fabric to get the four backgrounds, IF you are willing to have a seam in two of them. Month 2 patterns, video and blog come out February 1.

No more HINTS in advance.

[Gentzyel]

Hello! I appreciate the helpful hints, this is the first time working from a kit. My confusion lies in the fact that I am not told which piece of fabric to use for the backgrounds. As I look at the kit materials, the gray on whites that are in the kit are different sizes. What if I cut a piece for the small center and then am short later on for one of the bigger blocks? Am I missing something? Thanks for your help and support.

[Katy]

I’m so glad you asked this question as it’s been playing on my mind too. Thank you.

[barbara b.]

How big should I cut the block background for Block 1?

[soniasimone]

[QUOTE=Gentzyel;n890898]Hello! I appreciate the helpful hints, this is the first time working from a kit. My confusion lies in the fact that I am not told which piece of fabric to use for the backgrounds. As I look at the kit materials, the gray on whites that are in the kit are different sizes. What if I cut a piece for the small center and then am short later on for one of the bigger blocks? Am I missing something? Thanks for your help and support.[/QUOTE]

The center block is the biggest, so you'll want to use one of the four larger background pieces in your kit. (Barbara answered this in the questions topic.) You probably saw this, but be sure you set aside the 1 1/3 yards of gray stripe for the border, and do not cut into that.

I'd suggest you watch the Facebook Live, but I think you'll be fine. I believe the blocks are worked from larger to smaller, so you should be safe in not running out of a fabric needed for a larger block.

I would definitely watch the Month 2 instructions on how to cut the backgrounds for that month.

[evelynspaulding]

Since I know Barbara, personally, I know how much she does not like to give out info ahead of time. I am grateful for this info even though I am not working with the kit. I don't have a large stash and am trying to use up what I have as much as possible. I, frequently, donate stash fabrics to keep it from taking over my house. Many thanks to Barbara for the guidance and especially her Optional Alternative Methods.

[sewskeel]

I ask this question early on so I am so glad to have this information. I was in a panic about running out of the kit background fabrics so I used one from my stash to begin.

[Barbara B.]

[QUOTE=forster;n891377]How big should I cut the block background for Block 1?[/QUOTE]

Go to the pattern for Month 1 for this information. Your question is unclear. You might be asking the size to cut before starting OR you might be asking what size to trim when completed.

The pattern provides both of these important measurements--please go to the pattern for the measurements.