MONTH 1 — Ask Questions Here

[Barbara B.]

Please use this TOPIC to ask questions about Month 1.

[lholzhu]

Hi,
So I did my printing on my vellum paper and noticed at the bottom side edge I got a little bobble. I was just going to straighten it out, but happened to put the paper copy under it and I see that number sewing lines 1 & 2 are off a tiny bit , which may be too much for this pattern. Do I correct it to the original copy? The my next concern is this going to happen throughout the project. My box correctly measures 1 inch on both paper and vellum.

[lholzhu]

Also the part 2 block seems to be ok without this problem

[Helen W.]

Hil Linda, I have used vellum for years with foundation paper piecing. I always put in 1 piece at a time. It is a pain, but there seems to be some static cling to the paper and some times in prints partial pages and starts to pull the next piece thru or distorts the copy. The other thing I run into is the ink spearing
on the vellum page. It does not dry quickly. I usually print a page and put an old piece of copier
paper on top of it and print the 2nd copy of the page. The ink does come off a little on the blank
old piece of paper, but those old ones I just keep in my folder with the vellum and use them over
and over. Once I tried to iron the ink dry and the vellum rolled up in a tight roll. So I just let it
dry on its own. I think if you put one page in at a time it will solve your problem.
HelenW

[lholzhu]

So I tried taking the original paper and the copied from it on to the vellum. I also made sure to only put one vellum paper in the machine at a time. ( But did this earlier) And it worked and was the same. So maybe not printing from the saved PDF from computer to vellum in not accurate, but do the above,
However I did see a bad one, like earlier. So now I am thinking it is how you load each vellum piece.

[Barbara B.]

Not sure why you got the problem you did with printing vs copying. You are correct in your first post with photos that the lines in the vellum are too far off.

[Carol M.]

Missing the 1/4 yard grape Tilda
Today I labeled the fabrics and I am one short!

[Barbara B.]

send email to [email protected] They will be able to help. Be sure to include your account information and mailing address.

[Linda M.]

I am not seeing any cutting directions for the print kit.

[Barbara B.]

They follow right after the cutting for the Solids. There are no specific fabric positions for the Prints. Use the photos to see what Becky used. The smaller package in the PRINTS kit is for the center medallion. You decide which fabrics to use where.

[Linda M.]

Well, that is disappointing. Limited amount of fabric and I have to guess so when she says Cut 4 @ 2 1/4'' x 4 3/4'' — Cappuccino, I have to guess what was planned for in the kit. In previous years there were directions for both options. I can see this could be a disaster if I guess wrong .

[Barbara B.]

The Prints kit was designed to resemble the fabrics Becky used from her deep stash. There is more than 17 yards of fabric in the Prints kit vs 13 yards in the Solids kit--plenty to allow you to play and create your own special quilt.
Use the photos Becky took almost a year ago as she made her Prints version to give you an idea of color placement. Becky will not be rewriting the pattern--she wants you to play with your fabric.
Each maker will create a quilt as unique as they are.

[Helen W.]

Well, that is disappointing. Limited amount of fabric and I have to guess so when she says Cut 4 @ 2 1/4'' x 4 3/4'' — Cappuccino, I have to guess what was planned for in the kit. In previous years there were directions for both options. I can see this could be a disaster if I guess wrong .

Linda M. I can feel your frustration. This is supposed to be fun. Yes Lynn last years designer went over in beyond in the
way she did both spring and autumn in her videos and separate total patterns. I can see your confusion since the pattern
is talking cappachino, the picture of prints quilt has petunia in piece 3, and Becky used another print in the videos.
I figured it out even though I don't have a kit. It would be helpful if they could put both names of the fabrics any time they refer to a fabric. If you want an
exact replica of the picture for your quilt, you might have to just enlarge the photo to the point you can see the fabrics clearly.
And Maybe, Becky can edit the pattern wording to include both the solids and the prints. After all why should the solids
quilters have it easier than the prints quilters. Just my opinion. There is so much info all at once I am still just trying to
get thru all of it. Have not started any cutting yet HelenW
CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO SEE THE WHOLE PICTURE ENLARGED

[Linda M.]

Thanks, Helen. I know I can do it. Glad to know there is extra fabric which was my worry. Print kit was more expensive so was just surprised and spoiled by last year. I will just cut as I go. I think I have a system worked out for me. Linda

[Helene H.]

Hello,

I’m very exited to start this beautiful quilt as my sister asked me if I would do it for her.
I washed the first 4 colored fabrics in cold water, with liquid soap, gentle cycle and a color catcher sheet. The 4 fabrics have lost color , they all have large stripes that are lest colored. They did not bleed on each other but they are not of a uniform color anymore.
I did not bought the kit fabrics because I’m in Montreal Canada , but I bought Tilda Chambray fabrics.
I will bye new fabric of the 4 colors. What can I do to prevent the discoloration?. Since this quilt will be a gift I want it to be really good looking.
Thank you ☺️
Hélène

[Barbara B.]

The solids in the Solid Kit are not chambray. They are regular solid cotton. I did not pre-wash and am not having any issues with the solid kit.
I don’t know what you can do about the problem you describe.

[Helene H.]

Hello Barbara,

Sorry to have mentioned Chambray fabrics, I bought the exact list of fabric that are listed, same number as described in the list.
Anyway if someone can help that would be nice.
Thank you for the instruction you gave today and for your detailed blog. That will help a lot

[Gail M.]

Use Retayne to keep the colours from bleeding/fading.

[Carole B.]

Thanks, Barbara, for the great live show today. A few questions that didn’t get answered plus a new one…

Do you wash the fabrics and/or starch?

What thread weight do you use for top and bobbin?

If we plan to make changes to the borders, would it be wise to wait to purchase fabrics until the pattern comes out for that month?

Thanks for your help!

[Barbara B.]

Carole, I don’t usually pre-wash my fabrics. Becky always does. It comes down to personal preference.
I am not using starch or sizing.
I piece with Quilters Select thread, 60 wt in the top, 80 wt in the bottom. An alternative is 50 wt cotton thread like Masterpiece from Superior or Aurifil.
The borders are made from 3” and 6” blocks. As long as you are staying with that plan the fabric requirements should work. My prints version has only one 3” border for all 4 sides. And I am always willing to add additional fabrics later should I need something else later in the project.
Looking forward to seeing what you do!

[Ann C.]

What sewing machine needle do you recommend?

i just got a snazzy new Bernina 570QE and have dual feed for the first time. Should I use dual feed?

Happy New Year, Barbara! With our Game On! 2026 is going to be a really great year!

[Barbara B.]

I use a Topstitch needle, size 80/12 or 90/14 most often. I have the same machine as you for my travel machine and the 770 for daily sewing. My piecing is done with the 97D foot, dual feed engaged.
Practice with your new machine to see what gives you the best results. These are powerful computers that sew. There is a learning curve but when you have bonded you will be best friends. Enjoy!

[Christine R.]

Can you tell us if there is a lot more foundation paper piecing in later sections? The printable freezer paper sheets are quite expensive here in Australia so I am debating about whether to buy a packet which will cost about $65 with postage included. If it's just a little paper piecing in this first month I can trace onto regular freezer paper, but if there's a lot more later it will be easier to print them.

[Barbara B.]

Yes, there is paper piecing almost every month. Only borders made in months 6 and 9 do not use papers. The supply list says 66 sheets of vellum are needed for the quilt.
You could cut regular freezer paper from a roll into size then lightly press it to a sheet of copy paper so it is flat enough to go through the printer. More work but might be less expensive.

[Helen W.]

Hello,

I’m very exited to start this beautiful quilt as my sister asked me if I would do it for her.
I washed the first 4 colored fabrics in cold water, with liquid soap, gentle cycle and a color catcher sheet. The 4 fabrics have lost color , they all have large stripes that are lest colored. They did not bleed on each other but they are not of a uniform color anymore.
I did not bought the kit fabrics because I’m in Montreal Canada , but I bought Tilda Chambray fabrics.
I will bye new fabric of the 4 colors. What can I do to prevent the discoloration?. Since this quilt will be a gift I want it to be really good looking.
Thank you ☺️
Hélène

Hi Helene, Retayne is a product that is supposed to prevent problems with fabric colors. It sets the color. I put a
screenshot of what they say about it. Not sure if you can get it in Canada.HelenW
CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO ENLARGE

[Helene H.]

Hello Helen,
Thank you for your suggestion. I did use this product in the past, but it is quite difficult to find now. I’m looking for it . I do not know why I have this problem. I used Tilda fabrics in may quilts without problem.

[Gail M.]

If your local quilt store doesn't have it, you can order it on Amazon.ca

[Barbara B.]

Hello Barbara,

Sorry to have mentioned Chambray fabrics, I bought the exact list of fabric that are listed, same number as described in the list.
Anyway if someone can help that would be nice.
Thank you for the instruction you gave today and for your detailed blog. That will help a lot

Helene, the Chambray fabrics from Tilda are completely different than their Solid Basics that is used in our Kit. I didn't want anyone confused or thinking there will be problems with the Solid kit fabrics that some have with chambray.

[bonomo]

How would you recommend we cut our fabric? For instance, Block 1 (solid) says to cut (4) 2 1/4" x 7" units. Would you cut a 2 1/4" strip and then cut that in to (4) 7" pieces? I'm just wondering because I want to use the fabric as efficiently as possible to make sure I don't run out especially if it's used in a future month. Thanks for you advice.

[Barbara B.]

This is a great question. I find it best to cut strips the width of fabric (WOF), use them as needed, save all the leftover pieces and use them first when that fabric is needed again. With a kit that might not always work. I tried to just cut what I needed but I am changing some of the borders so my needs will be different from the pattern.
For this month, Dusty Teal, I would just carefully cut a strip 2 1/4" x 28" or so, trying not to "overcut" as much as possible.