MONTH 3 -- Ask Questions Here

[Gail E.]

I was having a similar problem with my first few blocks then I realised that I wasn’t paying attention to the way in which I was cutting out my fabric. You definitely need to cut all your fabric parallel with the selvages. Hope that helps.

[Helen W.]

KMichael, You really picked fabrics that look good together. Sounds like you are doing what you need
to do. More questions, are you machine stitching or hand stitching? Did you try the glue baste technique that Sonia posted a long time back? Did you cut the outside border piece a little larger
so it is easier to square up?Curves are notorious for sucking up a little extra fabric. Some designers allow for that by using a an extra 1/4 inch at the edge of a circle, then adjusting. I assume your block came out 8 1/2 inch square since you did not
mention a size issue. If you are hand piecing it might be that you are stretching the bias curves
as you stitch.Stitching tension is a part of hand piecing that I have not yet mastered. I know the block I tried turned out much like yours, only I got half a block done
and decided to make my own version of a flower block and gave up the hand piecing. Did your
block lay flat in pieces before adding the red petals? If you machine pieced, maybe using more
pins on the concave/convex if not glue basting. Fold in half marks on both pieces, fold those halves
in half, that give pins at each quarter, then between those every half inch. it keep it so it can't push
the fabric forward as you stitch. If you are using a walking foot, it should not push the top fabric forward. If you
are machine piecing take a close look at the sew line you drew on the bottom piece. Are the stitches
staying on the line. Any chance you can post a picture of the back of the block? HelenW

[KMICHAEL]

I am struggling with this block. I have cut it out 2 times. I have drawn and sewed on the lines from dot to dot following Barbs instructions. My block keeps turning out like a bowl. So frustrating…grrr…please help, suggestions would be helpful…not ready to give up yet!

I went back and watched the video with Jen Kingwell...thinking my issue might have something to do with cutting or not cutting my fabric on the bias/stretch of the fabric.

[Barbara B.]

It's in my Month 3 blog. There are links to my blog on the main page of the BOM under LEARN--where my Facebook Lives are found,
Here is the link to the Month 3 blog. If you follow my blog you will always get the blogposts:
https://bbquiltmaker.blogspot.com/20...l-month-3.html

[Starr N.]

Where can I find Barbar's alternative block 3? Thank you. I struggle navigating the forum.

[Barbara B.]

Yes, I think that makes it easiest if you are piecing the petal in.

[Helen W.]

How do I print the paper pieced alternate pattern pieces for block

I drew up a paper pieced version in EQ8. You could do the same with quarter inch graph paper. I put an extra 1/4 inch around the
out side of the block for wiggle room. It worked fine. I applique the leaf petals. HelenW
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE ENTIRE PICTURE

When you sew the middle square (month 3) do you sew just from dot to dot? For easier petal insertion?

[Barbara B.]

There are no paper pieced patterns for the alternative block. Can you be more specific what you want to print?

[Annette M.]

Thank you Helen. Terrimeggers is right about precision for this block. After many tries I got a passable block by using all the sew lines and stopping at all dots-not going beyond for any seam. My templates are printing accurately. I use card stock for them and use the adjacent piece to mark the seam. I also make the outer piece larger on 3 sides to have a generous allowance for trimming. I try to make sure the petal is 1/4” from the raw corner. If it is not, then I “unsew” and try again.

How do I print the paper pieced alternate pattern pieces for block

[Barbara B.]

I’m experiencing similar frustrations. I had to draw my own templates and the printer 1” square wasn’t 1”. The first Month 3 block was too small. Redrew the templates at 110% then the block was about an inch too big. Redrew the templates at 105% and my block was very ruffly - I thought I could guess at the seam allowance when cutting out the templates. Redrew the templates using an accurate 1/4 inch. For this block I couldn’t get the middle square part to look right. Finally tried doing the 2 horeshoe shaped pieces which I should’ve done to begin with. That’s the best way to get it to look nice! It’s a real lesson in perseverance.

There is a Sticky Topic on printing accurate templates. If you haven't read those posts they may help:

https://thequiltshow.com/forum/block...template-sizes

[Connie H.]

Congratulations on a successful trip!

[LORI M.]

I’m experiencing similar frustrations. I had to draw my own templates and the printer 1” square wasn’t 1”. The first Month 3 block was too small. Redrew the templates at 110% then the block was about an inch too big. Redrew the templates at 105% and my block was very ruffly - I thought I could guess at the seam allowance when cutting out the templates. Redrew the templates using an accurate 1/4 inch. For this block I couldn’t get the middle square part to look right. Finally tried doing the 2 horeshoe shaped pieces which I should’ve done to begin with. That’s the best way to get it to look nice! It’s a real lesson in perseverance.

[terimeggers]

I had a very concave block 2 block on the the first one I made. The second one was concave too but not as bad. I almost gave up but thought about it and realized I won’t get better at this if I don’t keep trying. I tried one more time, making the seams and dots perfectly line up. I have drawn the lines carefully and the dots and slowly sewed together. The 3rd one came out much better. I didn’t realized how much precision mattered on this block. I will keep going and do the rest of the 20. Hopefully I get faster at it. I started doing it by hand sewing but switched to machine stitching and got better precision with the machine. This has been a real challenge, but I am increasing my skills as a quilter by taking on the challenge and continuing on.