August Block of the Month

[Patti P.]

Judy, the center embroidered in your vase is gorgeous. I've been trying to figure out what to do in my center since I'm not happy with it. I just might have to take inspiration from your idea; if I do, I hope you don't mind.

I would not mind in the slightest, I am looking forward to seeing what you do.

[Patti P.]

Judy, Your block is beautiful! I love the BB color - just a stunning block overall>

Finally have posted my block! Still have the BB to do but embroidery is new to me and after seeing all the gorgeous things being done - I want to practice the french knots a bit more. ops: As much as I love piecing and applique (especially auditioning the fabrics) embroidery has never been something I did - so another great asset about this BOM - new techniques - which I find I really enjoy.

I think this block has brought out more of our hidden talents at least for me. I love everyone's blocks and they are all so beautiful!

Bonny

[Linda N.]

Bonny, very nice blocks. Looks like it would go nicely in the same room as the couch some were photographed on.

[Linda N.]

Bonny your blocks are great. I agree about all the creativity it brings to play. Especially with seeing all the different interpretation of the blocks. Really makes me want to go get more fabric really soon. I've just been mostly using what I had left from making quilts for the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Keep on quilting ..

[Linda N.]

Bonny, great block! Your color choices have been amazing!

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

[Steven S.]

Hello August! I started work on my August block today! I'd really like to finish it before the end of the month. I liked watching the Sue Garmin interview on the latest episode....does anyone else use stiff thin card board for their berries? I like how they make them very round...then I just cut them out from the back after they're appliqued.....I tried the mylar heat resistant circle, but I felt the berry lost it's shape after I took the mylar out......And does anyone know if that basting glue will work if I"m using freezer paper, I'm wondering if I'd have glue issues when I cut the back to take out the paper, will the glue give me trouble? Thanks for any help.....

[Margo C.]

Good for you, Steven! I use manila folders to shape my berries (see album #3 on my website) because I can make them any size I want and can make as many as I need to do them all at one time. I think the mylar store-bought ones only have a few of each size. I haven't every used the glue with freezer paper, but I would try it on some scraps before I went to a lot of trouble with actual applique shapes. I also use starch to keep the shape of the berries, and I know that Sue recommends using just water to set the fold line. Try several techniques and decide which one works best for you!

[Margo C.]

I've got the mylar circles that Sue was talking about, got them from the TQS Shoppe, and used them as the package suggested: soak your fabric circle in starch (spray starch into a shallow bowl and dip the fabric circle) bring the edges around the circle and iron dry. Not the best, and high risk for burnt fingers. I am going to try Sue's method of doing a running stitch around the circle of fabric, and pulling around the mylar circle. Then I will starch and iron. I know that Sue doesn't like starch and sizing. Different preferences. The mylar circles from the Shoppe have 10 each of sizes 1/4" to 1", increasing in 1/8" increments.

Maggie in E. Central Illinois, looks like the airconditioning will go back on today

[Margo C.]

My husband was a tool and die maker and he had punches of several different sizes that I use to punch the heat resistant mylar. Then I stitch around the fabric, pull it tight, use a paint brush to apply starch and press. I let it dry completely then take out the disc and press again. I use Elmer's glue stick to hold in place and stitch around it. Sometimes, if I am organized and know I will have some time to sit for a while, I use the Elmer's liquid school glue and set it with an iron, then I can put them all on at once. Hope this helps. Oh, I haven't had any trouble with getting the glue out.

[Sandy L.]

I'll chime in on the berry subject. I made a miniature Noah's Ark a long time ago and put a lot of 1/4" red berries on it. I used a hand dyed fabric which I had washed very well with Syntropal and had not had any problems with it before. When I made the berries, I used the starch method and after making the berries with Sue's method of sewing around the edges and then stuffing them and quilting the whole quilt, I washed it. Was I ever upset when I saw all of the berries had run. I did get most of the red out by washing with Syntropal but I always wondered why that red ran when it hadn't in other projects.

After starting this BOM and reading Sue's instructions about not using starch I finally realized why those berries ran. I no longer use starch when doing berries.

Steven, I use the applique foundation paper from Sharon Shamber instead of freezer paper. You can leave it in the finished quilt and don't have to remove it. After the block is done you need to soak and wash it to get the glue out and then the foundation paper will soften up. I have been doing my BOM with invisible machine applique using Elmer's School glue for both turning under the eges and attaching to the background and have had no problems. I believe Sharon has some videos on YouTube showing this.

Good Luck!

Sandy in Phoenix

P.S. Ricky had a similar product called Totally Stable. There had been a manufacturing problem with it and am not sure where that stands right now.

[Sandy F.]

Sandy in Phoenix - I use the applique foundation paper also. It is very easy to cut into circles and I stitch around it like Sue did and it looks like a stuffed berry after it is washed. Wonder how long it would take to make 1,000 berries?

[Margo C.]

I'm going to try that with the little berries that I need to make for my next "GRAM SAYS" block. I like the idea of leaving the foundation in the berries instead of removing my manila templates. I'm also going to try it without the starch. I've personally never had a problem with bleeding due to starch, but it doesn't hurt to be aware and careful!

[Margo C.]

My circles are not perfect. I have used the Circleeze product. It works pretty well, but I find they aren't perfect...but then nothing is perfect anyway. :roll: I applique them on with invisible machine zig-zag and you can't tell they aren't perfect.

I use Ricky's Stable Stuff in my applique pieces. I use Sharon Schamber's technique of Elmer's washable school glue stick to glue the seam allowance onto the piece, heat set it and then it's ready to go. I find this process quite easy. You do have to soak a while afterwards to get out the glue, and the Stable Stuff gets quite soft after the soaking. I've never tried using starch and after hearing Sue's admonition about it, I think I won't.

Nancy in NC

[Damaris E.]

Judy, both your blocks are BEAUTIFUL!!

Bonny, LOVE your colors!!

The rest of you, YOU ARE AMAZING!! How I wish I could keep up with YOU!!

[Damaris E.]

Finally finished the August block. The baby's breath I did with freemotion embroidery. I used the rainbow varigated thread from superior threads and a stabilizer in back.
Camille