MARCH BOM

[Margo C.]

Your blocks are beautiful, Sandy! Welcome to the forum!

[Margo C.]

My March block is up on my profile. I don't know why it takes me 1 week to make the block and then 2 more to post it! ops: I look forward to beginning the April block. NA in sunny western NY

[Margo C.]

Love your blocks, NancyAnn!! The fabrics just glow against that background! Can't wait to see the whole thing put together!!!

Looking forward to the April pattern!!

[Sandy L.]

Thanks Margo! I really had fun doing these blocks! This is such a wonderful design, I just couldn't resist doing them.

I used Sharon Shamber's foundation paper with a vari-overlock stitch and either Aurofil or #60 Mettler thread. It was the first time I had tried this and was pleased with the outcome.

Just a note on the foundation paper. I ordered mine from Purple Daisies, Sharon's daughter's web site. After trying it and liking it, I reordered and received a stiffer, different texture paper. Christy said they had to order it from a different supplier and it would work the same, but I decided it might be too stiff so returned it. I reordered the light weight foundation paper. I have cut out some patterns but have not finished my blocks yet.

Also, a note on Ricky's foundation paper. When I went to his seminar, I bought some of his paper and it was RinsAway. I really cannot tell any difference between his and what Sharon has. They both work the same way and feel the same. Our local Bernina shop, Bernina Connection, sells the RinsAway off of the bolt.

I'm now trying to find my way on the forums but there are so many postings, I have trouble remembering where I read something. Thanks for all of your help.

Sandy in Phoenix

[Sandy L.]

What fun it has been to see all the different colorways that everyone is using for their BOMs. Since this was a bit new to me, I just pretty much stuck with the suggested colors but I'm loving all the creative blocks I am seeing. Good job everyone......or as we used to say in my kindergarten classes "Kiss Your Brain".

[Wanda M.]

Quiltlovr1, love the background on your blocks. Your BOM quilt is going to be awesome.

NancyAnn, love your black background and the way your blocks just glow. This is also going to be an awesome BOM quilt!

As Soren2go said, just love the different color ways and the way each can look so different! You ladies just rock!!! :lol:

WandaM

[Ruth C.]

Sandy,

Do you use the vari-overlock stitch like the buttonhole stitch? What does it look like (slanted stitches with straight line along the edge?) If the stitch does have a straight line, do you run it along the edge of the applique piece or the background?

Thanks,

Ruth

[Sandy L.]

Hi Ruth,

The vari-overlock stitch has 2 straight stitches and then a ziz-zag stitch which differs from the button-hole or blanket stitch in that the zig-zag stitch does not go back & forth on top of itself. It's not quite as heavy and if you use a fine thread, it is almost invisible.

The 2 straight stitches go into the background and the zig-zag takes a bite into the applique. On my machine, a Bernina 440, it is #3 and I shorten both the length (0.6) and width (0.7) and use the mirror-image feature to make it go right to left. I also make sure the needle position is in the center and I use my 1/4" foot to give me more control when stitching. If you use the 1/4" foot, be sure to check for needle clearance before starting or you might break a needle.

Hope this isn't too confusing. This is the first time I've tried this method and am quite happy with the results. Good luck if you try it.

Sandy in Phoenix

[Judith T.]

I've seen Sandy's work as she showed her blocks at our guild meeting. The stitch she used looks really good. I am going to try this myself on another BOM that I am working on.

Sandy, I am glad you put the stitch lengths in your posting.

Aren't you glad you came aboard? Now you can join the rest of us who spend far too much time on the computer.

Judy

[Sandy L.]

Yes Judy, this is lots of fun and also time consuming!

Thanks for your nice comments on my blocks and good luck on your BOM.

Sandy in Phoenix

[Sandy L.]

Thanks for the nice compliments. This is a fun project and even more so working with these bright colors.

Check out my profile for an applique Santa quilt that I finally finished. It didn't photograph that well, kind of washed out. It's a tricky thing - photographing our quilts. NA Happy Easter!

[Sandy L.]

Nancy Ann, Your background looks like a starry sky with your basket of roses glowing from an inner light! I LOVE it!

Maggie, wishing all a blesse and holy Easter

[Margo C.]

Love your Santa quilt, NancyAnn!
Have you seen the Christmas quilt that Sue Garman is designing right now? It's great!
Also, you mentioned the berries in your border. Scroll down on Sue's blog page to see the Lily Rosenberry quilt! AMAZING!

http://suegarman.blogspot.com/

[Lynn K.]

NancyAnn, your dark background really sets off the bright colored flowers! Good job!

[Sandy L.]

WandaM, thanks for your comments. My background fabric and stars are out of Fairy Dust fabric. I really liked how it has a shimmer to it.


Margo, I just looked at Sue's new Christmas BOM. WOW is that going to be great. I guess I'll be doing a lot of applique now! Also, thanks for the link to Sharon' glue tip. I am about out of Roxanne's glue and when I went shopping last week, the quilt shop was not carrying it. Guess I'll try the Elmers, it sure will be cheaper.

Thanks to all of you for a great web site.

Sandy in Phoenix