Month 2 is UP!

[Barbara B.]

A day early, Month 2 is up and ready.

Be sure to WATCH BOTH VIDEOS and READ MY BLOG before beginning.

https://bbquiltmaker.blogspot.com/20...d-month-2.html

Now you can start to make all those circles.

[Helen W.]

Barbara, Loved your blog post. I never knew What Not To Do could be so helpful. I will have to rewatch the needle knot at
the eye a couple times since I have never used that, but it definitely would be helpful. Sure hope everyone doing Homeward Bound reads you blog. It is so worth it. Helen W.

[Barbara B.]

Thanks, Helen. I know not everyone does from the questions that get asked. All the extra help we provide is for our member's benefit.
That tiny knot with fine threads was a game changer for me when I did lots of hand applique with silk thread, years ago. My eyes are way older now and I want to thread needles less often than more.

[Carol G.]

Yay for 1 day early!
I did not buy the templates, so I have a question. On page 2 it says to cut one of each template from both a piece of cardboard and also from the template plastic. How is the template plastic used? I'm new to applique. I didn't see this covered in your blog or the videos.
Your blog directions are fabulous! People really should read it, even if they're experienced.
Thank you

[Barbara B.]

Yay for 1 day early!
I did not buy the templates, so I have a question. On page 2 it says to cut one of each template from both a piece of cardboard and also from the template plastic. How is the template plastic used? I'm new to applique. I didn't see this covered in your blog or the videos.
Your blog directions are fabulous! People really should read it, even if they're experienced.
Thank you

Thanks, Carol. Watch Sarah's Month 2 video on making circles to see how she uses an open plastic circle template as a guide for drawing the cutting line for circles. The cardboard is used inside the foil packet. The open circle isn't needed, just cut out the fabric at least 1/2" larger than the finished circle.

[lehab375]

I already have a bit of an issue with my bias stems. I followed all the directions using the Hera marker & did everything exactly the same as month 1 stems. However, my bias stems are not 1/4 inch wide - they are more like 3/16. I did not have any trouble last month with the straight of grain stems, but the bias ones have me beat. Is there some kind of tip or trick that will keep them at 1/4 inch? I was very careful not to tug lengthwise, either while marking or ironing, as I knew that would make them narrower, but I couldn't figure out what else I might have done wrong. The strips were 3/4 inch wide, the Hera marker was done at the correct spot & I took off the extra 1/8 inch so they would meet in the middle, but they didn't - one side went over top of the other while pressing. I am guessing that since they all are exactly the same width, it won't be a problem for this month, but I know more will be coming & I'd like to get this figured out before the border with lots of bias comes around.

Linda

[Barbara B.]

Bias is stretchy, some fabrics more than others. Try cutting a piece of bias say 6” wide, then use sizing or starch or Best Press on that hunk of fabric. Spray it, let it soak into the fabric and let it dry a few minutes. Then press to really dry. Cut the 3/4” bias strips from the starched fabric. You might find this gives you good results.
Some people starch all their fabric to almost cardboard status and say they get great results piecing with it.