MONTH 1 — Show Your Progress Here

[Gail E.]

[Helen W.]

Gail, I like the use of 2 fabrics in your background, or is that an ombre fabric. Adds interest. HelenW

[Helen W.]

Gail, I like the background with variation in color tone, is it an ombre? HelenW

[Vesta C.]

I am waiting for templates to become available again so am playing around with fabric selection. I usually use every color available, but this time I’m doing “organized scrappy”!

I selected a focus fabric and 5 solids that I identify in that fabric. Had to order 3 of them - I don’t have many solids. Those are my first round….second I am choosing fabrics in my stash that relate (not much into matching) to original fabrics.

I have lots of mostly white/off white low-volumes. Plan to keep those very calm.

Hope the templates are available soon - tired of over-thinking.

Vesta

[SHWatt]

[sewskeel]

I solved my problem by reverse appliquéing the frame on to the center piece. Hooray

[Helen W.]

Susan, It looks fabulous. What a difference. HelenW

[Barbara B.]

Great solution!

[Marge V.]

I did it all by machine. Thanks for the tips Barbara and Jen.

[jptousley]

Redo of the center block. Hand and machine pieced.

[Inge D.]

[GypsyBobbin]

[Helen W.]

GypsyBobbin, If you post your pictures on the topic Month 1 Show your progress, everyone will see it. If you
post on your own topic it makes it harder for Barbara Black to keep things organized on the forum. Good job.
HelenW

[Barbara B.]

Thanks, Helen, I moved it.

[Helen W.]

Ready to tackle the background next. I think this block has challenged me more than any in the last few years of BOM's.
Carole B. When you said you were hoping it would get easier, you are not the only one feeling the challenge. I think we
are doing the hardest part of the whole quilt in the first month. So just hang in there. HelenW

[Lynnanne]

Beautiful Helen,as all your work is.

[Carole B.]

Ready to tackle the background next. I think this block has challenged me more than any in the last few years of BOM's.
Carole B. When you said you were hoping it would get easier, you are not the only one feeling the challenge. I think we
are doing the hardest part of the whole quilt in the first month. So just hang in there. HelenW

Looks great, Helen! Glad I’m in good company about feeling challenged! This is the first time I’ve ever attempted a pieced block, so of course I had to do it all by hand. Today I feel much better with what I’ve done and are really enjoying it. Only need to attach 3 more fans then onto the background. Woohoo!

[Deby J-Y]

Center is done. Have a bunch of fan blades ready to work on for the rest of the month!

[Helen W.]

Looks great, Helen! Glad I’m in good company about feeling challenged! This is the first time I’ve ever attempted a pieced block, so of course I had to do it all by hand. Today I feel much better with what I’ve done and are really enjoying it. Only need to attach 3 more fans then onto the background. Woohoo!

Carole, I saw all the pins you use on your fan. Does your thread get caught on them when you are stitching?
I put the pin in the spot on the line and go thru the line on the bottom fabric, then put a clip next to the pin
and pull the pin out. It works great. Your block is looking great, so glad you are enjoying it. HelenW

[Dottie Z.]

This has been a challenging block for me! I’m content with the outcome and especially like the fabrics! Barbara’s tip to cut the background larger and trim down was extremely helpful! I watched Jen and Barbara’s videos multiple times while constructing the block — great resources!

[jrgermain]

Finished my first block! I machine pieced the fan blades but did the rest by hand. I too found this a challenging block. Now I just need to trim down the block. Thanks Barbara for that tip.
Janet