MONTH 1 — Ask Questions Here

[JoAnna J.]

Barbara do you know if the templates will be restocked?

[Barbara B.]

Yes, more have been ordered and are expected by the end of January. Be sure to ask the Shop to let you know when they are in as they will likely sell out quickly.

[Karen F.]

I am almost finished with block 1. I made the outside larger like you suggested. What size should it be trimmed down to?

[Helen W.]

The finished block with seam allowance is trimmed to 16.5 inches square. HelenW

[Barbara B.]

Read the pattern.

[Elizabeth P.]

I rotary cut around the acrylic templates most of the time unless the curve is too tiny, then I trace and cut that part with scissors. To prevent the template from slipping I use a small piece of “nurse’s tape” (any nurses out there will know exactly what I am talking about) - 3M Transpore tape. It tears easily and stays intact. It works perfect. You can get it at drugstores or Amazon

[Elizabeth A.]

Barbara… had sone extra time and cut out some fans. I enlarged the picture. If I’m correct…. The fans are just 4 and a handle… then we would sew together?? I almost sew the 8 as a unit. Am I correct.

[Barbara B.]

The outer border is made from 64 fans, made exactly like in Month 1. Four blades, a handle and a background. The template for the background will be provided late in the year. It is included in the acrylic template set.

[Leonie D.]

Hi, I read your blog and watched the video, but am slightly confused about where I am adding the extra half inch when cutting out template D. I understand the long outer edge, but am less sure about the left edge. Also, when sewing I assume I still use all the registration marks as usual - is that correct? Many thanks

[Helen W.]

Hi, I read your blog and watched the video, but am slightly confused about where I am adding the extra half inch when cutting out template D. I understand the long outer edge, but am less sure about the left edge. Also, when sewing I assume I still use all the registration marks as usual - is that correct? Many thanks

Leonie D. I added 1/4 inch on all the long outside edge of the block. I also added 1/4 inch on the short end piece that
would be the horizontal and vertical lines to the outside edge. You might not need it there but if you get the curves stitched
and you get ready to stitch the short lines You can always just cut the 1/4 inch off in that area. I got rid of the diagonal
lines by laying the sew line of template diagonal for the two pieces and drawing both templates onto the fabric.
Any time you make a circular design it is often very hard to not come out short on the outer edge of a block.
That is why lots of designers like Jacqueline De Jonge always add the quarter inch and then when you trim to exact size there is enough.HelenW

CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO ENLARGE THEM

[Barbara B.]

Excellent information and description, thank you, Helen.

The outside edges of all of the blocks, Center Star and Blocks 1 and 2 coming in February and March, having very narrow measurements. Add extra there for "insurance".

I added a good 1/2" extra to the outer edges.

[Leonie D.]

Many thanks!!

[Connie H.]

I have read all comments on the forum, watched the lives, and read the blog. Barbara, I know you added 1/2 inch on the long straight outside edge. Did you also add 1/2 to the short straight end pieces, or did you find that added to the long edge was enough? Helen thanks for the great pics and description. Everyone has been so helpful.

[Elizabeth A.]

Barbara… I hope you reiterate the need to make blacks in February and March a little larger in those months blogs. Thanks

[Barbara B.]

I certainly will. Month 2 blog is done, month 3 will be written today.

[sewskeel]

Is there a picture of the quilt that has the divisions for each month posted? I really appreciated the one that was posted for Flower Garden Down Under

[Barbara B.]

No. This project works a bit differently than previous ones. There really isn’t a “do this much this month” plan.
Month 1 — center star
Month 2 — Block 1 is introduced, there are 20 in the quilt, make them over time
Month 3 — Block 2 is introduced, also 20 to make over time
Month 4 — Log Cabin block is introduced, 20 to make over time
Months 5-10 — appliqués and Embroidery done on individual log cabin blocks and then some on Log Cabin borders after instructions say to assemble those.
Month 11 — outer fan blocks are introduced, make 64
Month 12 — assembly of quilt top, some quilting and finishing instructions provided
That is the schedule. I have already encouraged people to work on the 64 outer border fan blocks over time so as to not have to make 64 all at once. More tips like that are coming.

[Helen W.]

Thanks for the question Susan and thanks for the answer Barbara. I was wondering the same thing
but did not want to ask. HelenW

[Sheridan D.]

I’m starting my outer border fans as suggested by Barbara. I was thinking of eliminating the seam in the fan centres by making them a semi circles instead of a quarter circle. Is this going to cause me any grief later down the track?

[Barbara B.]

No grief. I suspect that isn’t how the template is made due to size and cost. You can certainly make your own “double” to combine 2 quarters into a half.

[Sheridan D.]

Thanks Barbara

[Claudia M.]

Is there a reason why the B pieces seams should be pressed to one side instead of pressed open? I would like to press mine open but don’t want a problem down the road. Thank you.

[Barbara B.]

If you press open backstitch at the ends to prevent the seams from popping open when you sew on the little handle, a tight curve.

[KayeT]

Having fun so far. Almost done with my center, and working on the outer border fans. Just a quick question, what is the finished size of each fan block? TIA

[Barbara B.]

In my Month 1 LIVE and Blog I said they are the same size as the Month 1 fan—same templates are used for both. 4” finished Fan Blocks.
I will provide lots of additional tips for the outside border later this year. Those who work ahead will miss
those.
Rush ahead with that warning.

[Cooper10]

This may have been asked before but I didn't see it. I am starting the outer fans. Do all the center triangles need to be the same like the center block or are they scrappy?

[Barbara B.]

I think you are asking about the handles of the fans. They are scrappy in the sample quilt.

[Beverly C.]

Barbara, do you think that John is going to have a picture of Pick a Petal that we may zoom in on? It's a wonderful feature, even if our fabrics are not the same, it would be fun to have!

[Barbara B.]

Working on that.

[Grammi]

Hi Barb - Is there any word on when the templates will be in? I realize they are coming from Australia and I do have my name in for notify me when they come in

[Barbara B.]

The shop will notify you when they are available. By the end of January is the estimate.

[Sally W.]

Any problem with sewing some of the pieces by hand and some by machine? I can see that in order to do all those fans for the outer border I could do some by hand in the evening watching TV with my husband.

[Barbara B.]

No problem at all. I call it the “hybrid” method. No one will know which method you used in the end.