Month 1 -- ask questions here

[Gopa R.]

Hi Barbara, just wondering, would you be providing your paper piecing template, it looks feasible for me to achieve then piecing.
Also in your video you advised how much background fabric one needs for each individual border. Would it be possible to provide that please, I can then use up my stash
I look forward to hearing from you
Many thanks

[Barbara B.]

There is a Sticky Topic providing the information on background fabrics for each of the 5 borders.

[Barb O.]

I am still having trouble. I watched all the videos & your video in which you point out everything I had questions about earlier before the video was corrected I do understand. You showed a page in which the cutting guides for the house according to fabrics were listed/ Great, But, in trying to find that page after the listed fabric (according to months), it is not there. I really do need it , especially if I decide to draft my own paper pieced house/

[lholzhu]

1.Homeward Bound - BOM 2023 - Introduction and Fabric Requirements | Coloring Guide

2. Patterns & Document tab
3. Is the second document. Sarah sets it up by fabric but next to it is the month that fabric is used.

[Barb O.]

Hi Barbara,, Apologize for wasting your valuable time... I finally found the PDF that I was needing to find, Month 1. Very anxious to start it.

[Barbara B.]

Watch the Facebook Live for Month 1 where I show how to find everything you need each month.

Hi Barb. Not sure if this is the spot for a question. I’m trying to decide which fabric is the cabin border. Is mit the green with the thin purple stripes. The star point fabric looks pink in the picture and on the instructions but the closest I can find is a coral. Thanks. Beth

[Barbara B.]

Hi Barb. Not sure if this is the spot for a question. I’m trying to decide which fabric is the cabin border. Is mit the green with the thin purple stripes. The star point fabric looks pink in the picture and on the instructions but the closest I can find is a coral. Thanks. Beth

Go to the Fabric Requirements document. Look for the fabrics listed for month 1. You will see exactly which fabrics are intended for each specific place each month.

I discussed this during the Month 1 Facebook Live. The link to that video is also on the main page of the 2023 BOM.

[Helen W.]

Barbara, Last year John was able to post the picture of the BOM in the featured quilts. That was great because you could zoom
the quilt.I loved being able to such a close up of everything, including the quilting on the quilt. Any chance of having Homeward Bound put in the featured quilts section. If it is too much trouble I totally understand.
HelenW

[Barbara B.]

We got this done today.

[Kati]

So I was at the fabric shop looking for appliqué glue, and wouldn't you know it, I can't find Roxanne's basting glue anywhere- I am in Canada. It would cost over 30$ to get it from the US or from online order. We have a fabric glue that is reminiscent of white glue- I wonder whether that would be suitable? I believe it's called Alene's tacky glue. That's all we got.


but then I have another idea and would like to run it by you all. Wouldn't it be the same to use a small square (like quarter inch) of fusible in the middle of the appliqué to glue on? Is the liquid glue necessary? of course it would be hard to reposition once it's ironed on, but because of the size of the little squares, you would be barely able to feel it. Comments?

[Barbara B.]

Elmer’s White Schoolhouse Washable glue is similar and should be easy to find in the office supplies section of stores.
I wouldn’t use little fusible bits as I would not be likely to get the shapes in the correct place. With the glue, it’s simple to pull it off and try again. Just my two cents.

[Kati]

Barbara, I ended up buying the Roxanne glue, as I found it locally, and also because I am bound to do a lot of appliqué this year as I started both the 2022 and 2023 BOM at the same time. I must say that I am very happy with the glue, great investment. As I am appliquéing half inch berries and basted glue a bunch o them, none has come off; I also purchased a light box and the Hera marker that was recommended, and I use both every day. The Hera marker has been very useful in making 1/8" stems and also as a help in ironing the circles perfectly. I am super impressed.

[Penny S.]

There were no directions in the cutting directions to cut a piece of roof fabric 1 1/2 x 3 or am I missing something?
Oops! The shading on the pattern confused me. I see my error. Thanks.

[Ann W.]

I remember seeing somewhere how you machine application the stems on. Can you direct me where? Thanks

[DocRuth]

I need help with the cabin. I've made it three times, and all three times the size came out wrong. Would love some advice on how to make the window section of the cabin to come out to the correct size, and then the overall block. I have followed the instructions exactly, used a 1/4 foot to ensure seams are accurate, and it does not measure out correctly. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Thank you!

The window unit is approximately 1/2 inch too long. I centered the the door frame on the window piece and and trimmed it to the correct measurement. That might help.

[Barbara B.]

I need help with the cabin. I've made it three times, and all three times the size came out wrong. Would love some advice on how to make the window section of the cabin to come out to the correct size, and then the overall block. I have followed the instructions exactly, used a 1/4 foot to ensure seams are accurate, and it does not measure out correctly. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Thank you!

There are only 3 things we can do wrong in piecing: the cutting, the sewing, and the pressing.

Cutting--these are small pieces, be certain they are cut exactly right. 3/4" x 1" and 1" x 1" pieces form the windows--that's small.

Sewing--check as you go. The window sections need to be 1" wide x 2 1/2" tall when sewn. If they are not the right size now, they will not miraculously become the right size when you add the two side pieces of cabin fabric. Now the two sections each need to be 2" wide x 2 1/2" tall. Check the door section, it must be 1" wide x 2 1/2" tall.

Thread width impacts precise piecing. I use 60 wt in the top and 80 wt in the bobbin. When using slightly thicker thread, like 50 wt, I have to sew a slightly narrower seam.

Once all the sections are exactly the right size, you should be able to join the 5 sections into a cabin that is 4.5" square, including seam allowance. Check EACH SEAM as you go since you said your cabin is not the right size. You didn't say if it's too big or too small.

If too small, watch Sarah's Month 1 video to see how to use wider borders to compensate for a too small cabin.

Pressing--start with a dry iron and press seams firmly the way you want them to go. I don't often press open, and wouldn't with these tiny pieces. Measure again after pressing to be sure each section is still the correct size.

Some people have good success with starch, sizing or products like Best Press.

Here is a photo of the back of one of my cabins showing how I pressed it.

[Helen W.]

Barbara, I sure hope DocRuth appreciates the time it takes you to write such a detailed answer
with the measurements included. And a lot will benefit from the picture of the back of the block.
You covered all the bases. It would be nice if people are in need of troubleshooting their problem
would post a picture of what they did. It makes it a lot easier to see what needs to be changed.
Thanks for all you time and expertise. I know I am one quilter who has benefited greatly from
all your suggestions. HelenW

[NinaMarie]

Wow, I love the tips too! I also want to add that before I did mine, I watched the segment that Sally Collins did on straight line piecing. Watching her do it, really helped. I was actually shocked that my cabin came out right the first time because I haven't done precision piecing in forever!

[Linda M.]

I am planning my stem fabrics and would like to know which fabrics are used for which stems? Is month one stem fabric used only for month one or for other months as well? Maybe I should say borders instead of months? Thanks for the info.

[Barbara B.]

If you are using the Kit use one half yard for the wide border in Month 7 and the other half yard for all the rest.
If using your own fabric, do whatever you like. There is no instruction on what fabrics to use for any of the stems. Use only one fabric or several.
Sarah used pre-made bias in at least two colors. We do not have access to that product and don’t know which colors she used.

[Barb O.]

Is it ok to make the stems in Month 1 from straight of grain or should all the stems be cut on the bias?

[Barbara B.]

Is it ok to make the stems in Month 1 from straight of grain or should all the stems be cut on the bias?

Month 1 stems are straight so do not have to be made from bias.

New to this group but late to Sarah Fielke’s 2023 BOM☹️. Would like to purchase the fabrics for the quilt but just saw that they’re completely sold out. Is there any way to find out if kits might be available from, for example, people who have bought the fabric etc. but decided not to make the quilt? I’d appreciate any and all suggestions. I know I could choose my own fabrics but really want to use Sarah’s picks. Thanks in advance!

[Barbara B.]

While it might happen, it’s usually months down the road when someone decides they want to sell their kit.
You can buy the background fabric directly from The Quilt Show store, the only place it is available. The rest of the fabrics are relatively new fabrics you should be able to find in shops and online. The complete list is on the Fabric Requirements document.
Selecting your own fabrics makes this quilt your own. As long as the choices are similar to the Kit, your quilt will have the same feel.
I started with a jelly roll of the Tula Pink fabrics and a different background fabric since I had to start testing the pattern in September. I added very little to that jelly roll and I am through month 5 now. Mine looks the same, except for the background.

[MalibuBarbie]

I missed out on the fabric pack also and had to put my own together. Other than the background fabric these are the same fabrics as in the kit. To determine the size needed for each fabric I took cutting instructions strip width x WoF and determined the area needed, i found many of the pieces could use a fat quarter, which was beneficial since it's so difficult to mail order partial yardage and I couldn't afford a yard of each.

You might already have purchased your supplies but here is how I did it, I think it ran me about $30-40 more than the kit including shipping:

"HOMEWARD BOUND
2023 Sarah Fielke Quilt Show BOM"

Background 5.25
i used Tula Pink Fairy Dust in Cotton Candy

Dragon's Breath FQ Bundle
Unicorn Poop FQ Bundle
Tiny Coordinates FQ Bundle

In addition to the fat quarter bundles you'll need additional of these fabrics
CSFSESS.TAFFY TP Basic Solid 0.5
PWTP186.FERN Tiny Stripes 0.5
PWTP186.ASTER Tiny Stripes 1
PWTP185.SKY Tiny Dots 0.5
PWTP185.PEACOCK Tiny Dots 0.5
PWTP185.CANDY Tiny Dots 0.5
PWTP185.BLUEBELL Tiny Dots 1
CSFSESS.SHIRE Dragons Breath 0.5
CSFSESS.MATCHA Dragons Breath 0.5
CSFSESS.LEGENDARY Dragons Breath 0.5

GP01.PASTEL KAFFE Roman Glass FQ
PWGP001.EMERALD KAFFE Roman Glass FQ
GPO1.PINK KAFFE Roman Glass FQ
GP20.ALGAE Kaffe Paperweight FQ
GP20.PAPRIKA Kaffe Paperweight FQ
GP20.LIME Kaffe Paperweight FQ

good places to shop or check prices are Ali's Fabrics, Fat Quarter Shop, Southern Fabric and Etsy.