MONTH 7 -- Ask Questions Here

[Barbara B.]

Please use this TOPIC to ask questions.

[Gopa R.]

All I want to convey my gratitude, without your very valuable instructions and the tools to use I don't think I would ever attempt to make this quilt . I was totally lost
So thank you again

[Angie W.]

Thank you for the wonderful video today Barbara! My question is about the length of the stems. My stems are not long enough to go the length of the pattern (From the center circle to the right (or left) for the 8 longer stems) They are just a little short. What is the best way to join them together? I do have extra fabric I bought so if I cut the fabric wrong for the stems I can re-cut the correct way. I have 1/2 yard of each color extra. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you!
Angie

[Barbara B.]

Thank you for the wonderful video today Barbara! My question is about the length of the stems. My stems are not long enough to go the length of the pattern (From the center circle to the right (or left) for the 8 longer stems) They are just a little short. What is the best way to join them together? I do have extra fabric I bought so if I cut the fabric wrong for the stems I can re-cut the correct way. I have 1/2 yard of each color extra. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you!
Angie

You can join them with a diagonal seam—cut on a 45 degree angle. Press the seam open. Use thread that matches the vine so it isn’t visible on the front. The 1/4” vine is so narrow the seam won’t be visible from 3 feet away.

[sewskeel]

How many total inch of bias is needed for stems and vines?

[Barbara B.]

The pattern says 8 yards.

[NinaMarie]

Nina mentally does a quick calculation that 8 yds is 288 inches. After a quick groan, she figures she'll finally get Sarah's Bias stem method down by the end.

[Teresa B.]

What is the space from the bottom seam line to the bottom of the center circle?

[ANN Y.]

Hi Barbara, thank you for all your great advice. I would not get through this quilt without it. My question is do I have enough of the bakcground fabric in the kit, to be making larger cut pieces for the Month 7 borders. I do not want to get to the last border and run out. Thanks Ann

[Barbara B.]

Yes, you can safely cut these borders 9” vs. 8.5”.

[Karen]

Hi Barbara and all,
I am behind, now working on month 4 so this question is about the center section. I must have made a mistake somewhere. I cannot join the three sections together as I cannot get my machine to sew through the stems connected to the star point units. I have changed the needle and I have the walking foot engaged. I have already ended up with a hole in one fabric. I sewed from one side and then the other, but I have at least a quarter inch that is unsewn at each stem. 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. But any suggestions for what to do now? Hand sewing? I don't know if I can get a needle through the layers by hand either. And thank you so much for the the great instruction and helpful suggestions from everyone.

[Barbara B.]

I’m sorry, Karen, I don’t understand your issue. Is there too much bulk? Please post a photo to show what is happening.

[Azenath W.]

Karen,
I learned a trick from Just Get It Done Quilts, Karen Brown.
Whenever you are getting close to a bulky area, lift up the presser foot and place a 2.5" square of fabric folded half then half again, under the presser foot. This allows the presser foot to be same height as the bulk. Move the folded square as needed closer to the bulk if needed. I tried it and worked nice. Now I keep this 2.5" square next to my sewing machine.

[Karen]

Thank you, Azenath and Helen and Barbara for the advice on sewing through bulky seams. I am ready for the next one! Karen

[Barbara B.]

What is the space from the bottom seam line to the bottom of the center circle?

As the pattern does not provide this information. I made mine 1/2” — this means the bottom of the circle is 3/4” from the raw edge of the border, once it is really 8.5” wide including seam allowance.

[Karen]

HI Barbara,
Here are photos--with seam to one side and from front so you can see the intersection that I cannot sew through. I have tried to sew with seam open and pressed to one side and cannot get the foot over the bulk of the stem. I used the Clover stem maker for 1/4 inch. If I sew below the intersection to avoid going through the stem, the seam allowance is way off. I am not sure the photos are working. Will try again if not.

[Barbara B.]

No photos. They may be too big, resize smaller to try again.

[Karen]

I know the seam needs to be adjusted from 1/4 to less than that to be just right, but that isn't the issue. I just can't get my machine to sew through the stem where it meets the purple star angle. I am worried that I will continue to have this problem with other stem sections joined with other pieces. Maybe smaller applique stitches contributed to the thickness? I haven't done machine applique before.

[Barbara B.]

HelenW gave good advice. Try a size 90 needle, I use Titanium Topstitch needles. I did not have this problem, however, my stems are cut 3/4” wide and folded in thirds so are only two layers. If you have more layers, that adds more bulk. Then there is the two star points and the cabin border that adds more.

[Karen]

Oops, maybe my larger applique stitches contributed to the problem?

[Karen]

Hi Barbara,
Never mind my question. I have managed to get enough stitches through the thickness by hand that I think it will hold. It is a tad uneven, but maybe the lovely pattern and eventual quilting will distract!

[Barbara B.]

It probably did. Those stitches look thick. What size thread did you use? I use 60 or 80 wt, depending on the color I want.

[sewskeel]

I had too much fabric in center so I trimmed off tips

[Helen W.]

I know the seam needs to be adjusted from 1/4 to less than that to be just right, but that isn't the issue. I just can't get my machine to sew through the stem where it meets the purple star angle. I am worried that I will continue to have this problem with other stem sections joined with other pieces. Maybe smaller applique stitches contributed to the thickness? I haven't done machine applique before.

Karen, I know you mentioned that you changed your needle, but what size needle. I usually use Titanium top stitch size 90
when I do thick applique. It is really strong. Did you try turning your hand wheel on the machine to do one stitch at a time.
I have had to do that when sewing over flat feld seams on the sides of blue jeans. And the last idea is, if it feels like you are
going over a big bump, you can put a stack of the really small post it notes behind the bump, when you put your presser
foot down it is level because the pile of papers made it level. Then stitch one stitch at a time. Also grade the seams. Glad
you were able to get your hand needle thru it. HelenW

[Ann W.]

I cut my boarders before I realized you video was up. Is there enough fabric to cut the boarders again and make them wider? If I cut wider boarders will I be able to use the ones I cut 8 1/2" wide?

[Barbara B.]

There is not an extra yard of fabric provided in the Fabric Requirements or Kit.