MONTH 4 — Ask Questions Here

[Gayle L.]

My center block is not measuring 26 1/2”. It measure that at the top and bottom corners but is more like 26 1/4” in the center. What should I do?

[lehab375]

I'm going to second the comment that Helen made to mark the sewing lines & add interfacing to the edges. I saw that tip probably 30 or more years ago and have used it many times since then. I use something quite sheer for the interfacing rather than the heavier stuff I use in garment sewing. You can see the marked lines through the interfacing, so I then go back & cut everything off to exactly my 1/4 inch seam allowance. I don't want to mention just how many of my quilts have those pieces of interfacing. It's almost always when I'm doing a technique that is not just plain piecing!

Linda

[Barbara B.]

How do I find Barbara's blog? Is there a link somewhere that will take me to it?

There is a link on the Homeward Bound Introduction page. Go to the LIVE page then you will find the link:

https://thequiltshow.com/learn/categ...-barbara-black

[Helen W.]

My center block is not measuring 26 1/2”. It measure that at the top and bottom corners but is more like 26 1/4” in the center. What should I do?

Gayle, I looked at your picture of your quilt and it is very pretty. I see the gentle curve shape near the center area, That often happens with applique drawing the background up a little as you stitch. That is why they say to cut the background bigger and then cut to size after everything is stitched. When I get what happened to you I have done two different things to work around the problem. One is to draw the stitching line on the back at 26 inches on all sides with a Frixtion pen. Then the seam allowance might be 1/8 inch in
center area, and 1/4 near the corners. When I do that I often use sheer interfacing fused over the seam in the area that is
1/8 inch. That gives it reinforcement for being so narrow. No one ever knows. The second thing I would do instead would
be to cut a 1 inch strip of background fabrics for all 4 sides. Fold up 1/2 inch ( I only do 1/2 because it is easier to do than
trying to do 1/4 inch fold over. Press the fold. Draw Frixtion line at 1/4 inch short on each side of the top. Top stitch it to all 4 sides. Then trim to the 26 1/2 inch square you need. It should end up being the same width strip on all 4 sides when you look at it.The fact
you did it to all 4 sides, it looks like a design element. If you did it in another color, people would think you just put a frame
around the center block.It is hard to describe the technique I do, hope you get the idea. Hope you come up with a solution that works for you. HelenW

[Pegi C.]

Helen, What do you do in order to measure accurately on larger squares? My longest ruler is 24", I do have a yardstick, would that be good to use and still be accurate? thanks

[Helen W.]

Peg C, I looked at your picture of the center square. Love the multicolored coneflowers. It makes for just a bigger explosion of color with all the bright circles too. I read on your picture post that you don't like to use templates. I use whatever
makes the job easier. If you have a larger cutting mat, bigger than 26 1/2 inches square, tape the block to mat so it can't shift. If you align the top left corner to a vertical or horizontal line on the mat, you will be able to see how far off you are.
I would use your yard stick to draw the lines with a Frixion pen for the square. Then look at it and
see if it look correct.Measure it a second time. Then cut. You can reposition your 24
inch ruler along the line as you cut. Because it it taped to mat, it won't move around as you reposition you ruler. Personally, I always make a paper template out of vellum (because you can see thru it). Because it is the size of printer paper. It has nice
straight edges, and 90 degree corners.I tape the pieces together with scotch tape then cut to 26 1/2. It is easy to center, draw horizontal and
vertical lines. Lay it on top of your block. If you see fabric outside the template,
your block is too big. If you see the fabric short of the template, it is too small.
With vellum because you can see thru it you can move it around a little to get
it where you want it and then cut to size. The picture is just a small block example.
I have lots of other ideas too, so let me know if this does not appeal to you.
Helen W.

[Helen W.]

Peg C. Another option for square up a large square. Tape block to the cutting mat if it is larger than the square. Use the lines on the mat to get at least one line straight.
You can use your yard stick to get vertical center line, from it measure out 13 1/4 to the side line. make some registration marks in 3 or 4 place. Do the same for the other side. Then use a frixion pen to draw those 2 side lines. Repeat the process
with the top and bottom. Measure your drawn block, if it measure 26 1/2 you are good to cut the sides. If you run into problems post them and I will see if I can trouble shoot it. Because you tape your block, it won't shift on you while cutting.
Cut right thru the tape, and then after all 4 sides are cut pull the tape off.
If you can walk around your cutting mat to cut all 4 sides, just rotate the mat,
don't move the block. Good luck. I could have used my Homeward Bound after
dark, but I am not using the exact same measurements on mine. HelenW

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT

[Pegi C.]

Helen, great suggestions, thank you. Adding the photos helped me to understand what you're suggesting.
I'll let you know how I fair. Pegi

[NinaMarie]

I want to mention that when I pressed my block - I used a good dose of Best Press which helps stiffen the block up so its easier to measure and go forward from there.

I can’t find anywhere where it indicates what size to trim the circle branch blocks to before sewing the rows together. Can you help with that please?

[lehab375]

I finally remembered that we were told the correct size in month 2 when it said what size to cut the squares. I made mine a bit oversized then couldn't remember where it was listed. It finally popped into my head several days later once I stopped obsessing over it.
Linda

[Barbara B.]

Month 2 instructions are to cut the background to 10.5”. That is the correct size.

[Angie W.]

I was wondering if anyone was having any problems with the background fabric shredding on the edge? I know it’s manipulated a lot when appliquéing but I was wondering if anyone had any advice. I did not cut pieces larger, maybe I will do that with future pieces. I love the background fabric in the kit but it appears to be kinda thin, not sure if this is contributing to the shredding. Thoughts?
Thanks!

[Barbara B.]

I am using a different background fabric and also have fraying. There is lots of handling as these blocks are made. I tried to overcut the large border pieces, months 7-9, but it was too difficult to join them together so I reverted to cutting the correct size from the beginning.

[Pegi C.]

I am, also, having that happen. Maybe I'll use pinking shears to cut the next blocks out, I'm pretty sure they will help stop the fraying. Another thing could be to sew a small 1/8" line of stiching around the edge to help.

[Donna57225]

I serged the edges of my background fabric to prevent fraying.

[Elizabeth A.]

Good evening Barbara
I will be out of town the first of May when next month drops….. so I want to take what I need with me. I’ll have the correct fabrics It looks like it will all be piecing and no appliqué If that is correct I’ll have my rotary cutter and rulers. Just want to be prepared as I travel
thanks
liz

[Barbara B.]

Month 5 has some appliqué, the small sprigs with stems, leaves and a circle. The rest is pieced.

[Elizabeth A.]

Thanks B
I think I’ll take my Buckley circles then. I was not pleased with my first circles… kinda wonky

Thinking about Alaska next year. Sounds like fun!

[Kati]

Quick question: I would like to know the size of the sawtooth stars (and stipulate finished or unfinished) as I may invest in a ruler for that specific size. Thank you!

[Barbara B.]

All stars for the rest of the quilt are made in Month 6. The small stars are 4" finished, 4.5" including seam allowances. The instructions make them from HST so no special ruler is necessary. I made the points from Flying Geese units--also no need for a special ruler. But if you want to buy another ruler, go ahead.

[Sharon K.]

Is anyone else finding that appliquéing these petals on is more difficult than with small shapes. I can't seem to position my hand correctly to support the work with all that material. So the appliqué isn't coming out exactly flat.

[NinaMarie]

A tip my teacher gave to me was to take and roll the excess background fabric tightly into a long sausage. The sausage will fit nicely in your hand and its out of the way. It just takes extra time to get a nice neat roll.

[Helen W.]

Is anyone else finding that appliquéing these petals on is more difficult than with small shapes. I can't seem to position my hand correctly to support the work with all that material. So the appliqué isn't coming out exactly flat.

Sharon, Are you doing needle turn appliqué or folded edge and just hand appliquéing it down? Have you tried using a hoop?
Sometimes doing something different for different pieces works. I have seen some peoples applique not lay flat because they
are pulling their stitches too tight. I have not tried this but I was thinking maybe using a basting spray like 505 on the back
of the applique would temporarily hold the flat position of the applique. HelenW

[Sharon K.]

Thanks gals for your suggestions. Rolling the excess fabric seems to help. I'll also try a hoop the the pieces get bigger!

[Karen]

Hi Barbara and all,
I am behind, now working on month 4. I must have made a mistake somewhere as I cannot get my Bernina 570 to sew through the stem with star point units to join those sections to the house. I have changed the needle and was able to get close to the intersection. Then I came at it from the other side, so maybe a bit less than a quarter inch is unsewn. I anticipate the same issue when trying to sew the three sections together. I went through the questions and it doesn't appear that anyone is having this problem, so I think I must have mad a mistake in my original construction. Karen

[scrapquilter2]

I am FINALLY done with Month 4. I hope you all enjoy my photo!!

Please use this TOPIC to ask questions about Month 4.

Hi I started this project and am very behind, i m battling with the "V" bit on the leaves. for the month 4 cone flour. Is there a tutorial where i could watch to see how to do that please. Thankyou

[Donna M.]

I'm not sure what you mean by the V bit...but

Here's Barbara's Blog on Month 4: https://bbquiltmaker.blogspot.com/20...d-month-4.html

Here is Sarah's Video: https://thequiltshow.com/learn/categ...4-sarah-fielke

And here's the Link to all of Barbara's Facebook live videos, you will find Month 4 on the list.

[Barbara B.]

I'm not sure what you mean by the V bit...but

Here's Barbara's Blog on Month 4: https://bbquiltmaker.blogspot.com/20...d-month-4.html

Here is Sarah's Video: https://thequiltshow.com/learn/categ...4-sarah-fielke

And here's the Link to all of Barbara's Facebook live videos, you will find Month 4 on the list.

Donna, I wish there was a LOVE button--thank you for directing folks to my blogs and LIVE broadcasts. I use them to clarify the pattern as best I can. It has taken a lot of time this year.

And Sarah has done videos for each month as well.

[Elizabeth A.]

Barbara…thank you for your blogs and videos. I find them invaluable!