MONTH 1 — Ask Questions Here

[Barbara B.]

Please use this Topic to ask questions about Month 1.

[Teresa S.]

When I print the pattern and templates "actual size" it prints only part of the 1 Inch Square because it is in the margins and footer. I an alter to have 0 margin and remove the footer, but is there an easier option; and if possible, in the future might you be able to include the 1"inch square in the document rather than the margins? Based on it being a 16" finished block, I do know that the size is correct by measuring the other pattern pieces.

[Janet B.]

Im having problems with printing as well. No matter what I try I end up with the square either too small or running off the page at bottom. I can get it to one inch across however the bottom cuts off. I don't know what else to do.

[Sheridan D.]

I printed mine out on A4 paper and got part of the square too. The part that was there measured 1" so not sure if its the difference between A4 and Letter size paper. Not sure what size the original document is?

[Rosa W]

Hello Teresa, I had the same problem with printing. It only printed part of the 1" square. Luckily, I have 8 1/2 x 14 copy paper, this worked. If you don't have this size copy paper, maybe taping two sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 together cutting it down to 8 1/2 x 14 may work. A bit more work. Also the copiers can be finicky, and the tape may not feed through.

Happy stitching,
Rosa

[Judith A.]

I didn't know where to post this. I was pleased to see Jen use the Microtach basting gun to baste her quilt sandwich. I have been using this for many years for everything from table runners to queen-sized quits. The Microtach basting gun is made by Avery. It has very fine nylon fasteners. I tried the Dritz Basting gun first, and didn't like it,, because it has thick plastic fasteners that left big holes in my fabric. The small nylon Microtach fasteners make holes smaller than the pins I use, and they disappear when I wash the quilt . I don't use a marble Ilike Jen uses. I use the Dritz Quilters Basting Grid with my Microtach. I slide it around under my quilt sandwich and shoot the little nylon fasteners through the openings in the grid. This method is a lot quicker and easier on my old hands than either pin basting or hand basting.

[AmyE]

Is this the gun?
https://azretail.com/products/avery-...ch-tagging-gun
It isn't called a basting gun here, so I wasn't sure. I will order it, if this is the one. I thought it looked like a great improvement over pinning. I am wondering how to remove them though., once the quilting is done.
I'm not sure this is a good price however, with almost $20 shipping!

[Debra W.]

Thank you Judith for commenting, I was going to ask which gun was being used. I worked retail for many years and the tag gun needles would be too large.

[Judith A.]

I see that the basting gun Jen uses, (MicroStitch) is sold on her website. jenkingwelldesigns.com. She also sells the basting tags on her website.

[sewskeel]

Would you please post a list of Jen’s favorite equipment? I heard size 11 milliners needle for piecing and size 12 embroidery thread, but I missed the rest. Thanks in advance

[Barbara B.]

Her recommended notions list is in the Introduction document under LEARN/BOM 2024. I would add an 8.5” square ruler, Quilters Select or Creative Grids brands are best.

[sewskeel]

I don’t see the needle sizes for piecing and embroidery

[Susan W.]

For month 1, what if you make the center medallion then appliqué it to a 17" square background fabric? You can machine or hand appliqué pending your expertise/comfort zone. What do you think?

[Helen W.]

Susan, That was the idea I had in my back pocket incase my sample of learning how to do the
handpiecing and the glue basting doesn't look good. I made a sample Pieced block 2 which is the
one with the 4 petal shapes. My hand pieced one was wonky and out of shape. The one I built and
appliquéd to a piece of white 8 1/2 inch white fabric for the background turned out great. So I figured
if my first attempt does not work, I would cut a 17 inch square appliqué to it and cut away from the
back side. Then trim to 16 1/2 inch square. HelenW

[Lou S.]

Great idea...I think that so be my plan of action. I struggle with curved piecing... but applique. That I can do!

[Shannon M.]

My thought as well. A bit less fiddly.

[Barbara B.]

Do you recommend starching fabrics for this method or not?

[Barbara B.]

It is not something I do but plenty love to starch fabrics either a little or a lot.

[Helen W.]

When I first saw that Jen Kingwell was the designer I started watching any of her you tubes I could
find. If I remember right she advocates that some product called Flatter is her spray of choice.
She said it is not starch but works great. She was making circle appliqués in the video she talked
about it. HelenW

[soniasimone]

If you're hand piecing, starch (including Best Press) doesn't always make for a nice experience. If you're machine piecing, a little starch might be good to stabilize the bias.

The Flatter product is good for getting your block flat after it's sewn. It doesn't add any stiffness at all, so it doesn't really do anything for you if you use it before you cut.

[Robin H.]

Should we pretreat our fabric with "Best Press" before
we cut out our shapes.

[Barbara B.]

It is not something I do but if you like to, give it a try.

[Barbara B.]

I don’t see the needle sizes for piecing and embroidery

In the Show Jen says she uses a size 11 Milliner needle for piecing. She said she was using Aurifil thread, probably size 50 wt. I like to piece with Quilters Select 60 or 80 weight and found a Sharp or Between needle better for me. I bend the Milliners really quickly, very bent. I have big hands and must be heavy handed.

She says to use what works best for you.

[sewskeel]

Does John have still photos and close ups posted in gallery yet?

[Barbara B.]

Not yet. I will ask him to do that.

[Beverly C.]

I was glad to be able to look at the close ups in previous BOMs - glad you asked about it sewskeel!

[sewskeel]

Will 2 inch strips work for centers of fans?

[Carole B.]

I was very interested to see the micro gun Jen used in the video. On her website I found this Dennison gun which I then found on Amazon. Free shipping if you have Prime!

[Marilyn M.]

Carole B....Thank you for the link re the Avery Dennison Fine Tagging Gun on Amazon. I ordered one yesterday - AUD $46.08. We subscribe to Prime, so free postage. Soon I'll be "armed and dangerous"!!

[Judith A.]

Marilyn M. I don't think the Avery Dennison Fine Tagging Gun on Amazon will work well. The tags for it are 1.77" ( or 45mm) long. That is almost 2 inches. That is a lot of wiggle room. I think the fabrics in a quilt sandwich would slide around. Maybe I am wrong. I use the Avery Dennison Microstitch and Microtach. The tags for these are 11/64" (or 4.5 mm) long. That is a lot smaller. They do a good job of holding the quilt sandwich together.

[sewskeel]

Did Jen say she used 26 Chenille needles for embroidery?

[Carole B.]

When I first saw that Jen Kingwell was the designer I started watching any of her you tubes I could
find. If I remember right she advocates that some product called Flatter is her spray of choice.
She said it is not starch but works great. She was making circle appliqués in the video she talked
about it. HelenW

Happy New Year, Helen!

I use Flatter all the time. Introduced to it by Sue Spargo.

[Helen W.]

Happy New Year Carole!!! This should be a fun year. Totally out of my comfort zone, but
looking forward to the adventure. HelenW

[Carole B.]

Did Jen say she used 26 Chenille needles for embroidery?

She did, but it should depend on the weight of the thread used. I tend to use a 24 Chenille the most.

[Jeanne C.]

Barbara, I am curious why you don't rotary cut around the templates. Seems much easier than the whole discussion of tracing and then cutting off the traced line.

[Cindy B.]

I have the same question. I have a small rotary cutter and am going to try cutting a few with scraps to see if it works well.

[Barbara B.]

On small pieces my big hands tend to slip on the little templates so it is better for me to trace and cut. And rotary cutting curves is much more accurate with a 28 mm cutter which I don’t have.

[soniasimone]

I find it hard to cut really accurately with a rotary around the templates, although I know some people do it