MONTH 4 -- Ask Questions Here

[Barbara B.]

Are the log cabin blocks sewn in a random orientation or in the same orientation when the side rows are sewn together?

They are turned, randomly, so no intersections/seams have to align.

Remember, HelenW did not make her blocks according to the pattern instructions.

[Melanie H.]

Barbara, in the live you sewed your log cabin blocks together for the top, bottom and sides. Wouldn't be easier to handle while embroidering if the are left as single blocks? Even if some embroidery designs overlap blocks? Those cutting the last 2 strips over sized must be leaving theirs single until done embroidering.

[Barbara B.]

Almost all of the embroidery is placed where seams join the Blocks. I am not having trouble appliquéing on the whole row.

[Helen W.]

Barbara, in the live you sewed your log cabin blocks together for the top, bottom and sides. Wouldn't be easier to handle while embroidering if the are left as single blocks? Even if some embroidery designs overlap blocks? Those cutting the last 2 strips over sized must be leaving theirs single until done embroidering.

Melanie, Hind sight. Wish I had oversized my last strips. If I had, I would cut the connecting block side to the 1/4 inch. and
connect the blocks for the row. That would leave you with oversize by 1/2 inch in the length of the row, and the top and
bottom of the row. That should be enough wiggle room for the drawing in of the embroidery. I am working ahead on my
own variation of applique and I just measured the length and I am 1/8 inch short. I am about half done with the embroidery
I plan to do. I might end up ripping the two ends of the line of block and adding 1/4 inch extra. Won't be fun, but it should
work. I am not having any problems with holding the embroidery and stitching with it all in a line. HelenW

Click on photo to enlarge and sew whole photo

[Melanie H.]

Thank you.

[Helen W.]

Barbara, in the live you sewed your log cabin blocks together for the top, bottom and sides. Wouldn't be easier to handle while embroidering if the are left as single blocks? Even if some embroidery designs overlap blocks? Those cutting the last 2 strips over sized must be leaving theirs single until done embroidering.

Melanie, Another idea would be to play Add-On. The photo is a screen shot of the bottom row of applique. Lay out your
blocks. Start with the left one. Applique it, stitch that to block 2, applique the over lay between 1 land 2 and do the applique on
2. Measure the blocks, it should be 16 1/ (including seam allowance), cut to that size, add block 3, do the appliqué on the overlap of 2/3 and any
on 3, Measure again, it should be 24 1/2. Cut to size. Continue for rest of row. The only cutting down of the oversize at this
time is the right side of each block. When the row is finished. It would be 6 blocks (48 inch +1/2 seam allowances). At that
time you would cut all sides to exact size. Just another way to do it, for those of us that like to get the block seams to line
up perfectly. Too late for me. I paper pieced my blocks and ripping out the stitches would be a real pain. Would do it at the end
of rows just to make it long enough to match up. HelenW

Click on photo to see entire photo and then click to enlarge within that.

[Melanie H.]

Thank you for your suggestions. I really like the idea of playing add-on and think I will try that. I am wondering if making the blocks oversized is worth the trouble. If my blocks draw up with the embroidery, I think I will just add to the end blocks of each side. On this quilt it will never show.
Thank you again.

[Helen W.]

I agree Melanie, it is probably not worth the trouble. If you just added an extra 1/4 or 1/2 inch on the
log that is at the end of the border on each end. it would be enough. The height of just one block
is not enough to worry about. I am thinking the compound effect of the 6 blocks in a row, might
cause you to be a 1/4 inch short. Just rotate you log block so a full length strip is at each end of
the row of blocks and make that strip a little wider. Then when you attach the applique borders.
start your pinning in the center of the row and pin towards the ends. That will let you divide any
distortion affecting length. Then just square up that border and add the next. HelenW

[Toni E.]

I'm trying to prepare for applique and embroidery and have two questions.
1. Are our templates heat resistant?
2. Is the wonderfil thread set intended use for embroidery or applique?

[Barbara B.]

I'm trying to prepare for applique and embroidery and have two questions.
1. Are our templates heat resistant?
2. Is the wonderfil thread set intended use for embroidery or applique?

Yes, templates are heat resistant Mylar.
I think thread is for embroidery. I use finer thread for appliqué.