2009 Block of Month

[Barbara H.]

I am a new quilter and a little intimidated about the 2009 block of month. I have never pieced. What do you experienced quilters think. Should I pass and just continue to watch the shows or should I jump in and try and do the 2009 Block of Month.

[Paula D.]

1-2-3...........JUMP!

[Paula D.]

Barbara, I know that it looks intimidating, but remember, you are going to be getting this a little bit at a time! Sue gives fantastic directions, and Margo writes wonderful tutorials! And we are all here to give you encouragement and help you if you get in a bind! I would certainly download the monthly patterns, as this in and of itself is worth your subscription to TQS!

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

[Paula D.]

I am pretty new quilter too, but, I will try this. The quilt is just too gorgeous to not attempt it. I still need to make decision about my focus fabric though. Sandi in FL

[Patti P.]

I'm going to give what sounds like conflicting advice and it is somewhat. I've always done things that are too hard for me. It's both part of the challenge I enjoy and the source of frustration for me. I am my own worst quilt police. So here's my conflicting advice. Do it most assuredly and stretch yourself and gain new skills. Take time to do it as correctly as you can so you develop good skills. But there does come a time when done is better than right. So go as far as you can, ask as many questions as you need and then let yourself off the hook if it is 'good enough' even if it disappoints you some. Because chances are you're going to love it after you get over a disappointment (if disappointment happens - not saying it will).

[Sandy F.]

Amen Patti. Even though I have done needle turn applique for several years I learned several new tricks with the 2008 BOM and that is one reason I am doing the 2009 BOM. The #1 reason I am doing the 2009 BOM is doing it as a group with other TQS family. That has been the best part of 2008.

[Sandy F.]

I can understand your hesitation. A few questions to ask yourself are: Can you consistently sew an accurate 1/4 inch seam? Have you made many blocks with points? Do you have other sewing experience? This is a very ambitious project for even a seasoned quilter. This is a large quilt using a large amount of fabric ($$). Even a 1/16th inch error in each block will add up to a big discrepancy over the surface of the quilt. Yes, Susan's directions are very good, but you still need the skill to implement them. If you want to use this quilt as a learning tool, then go for it, but if you want a perfect quilt you may be disappointed. A suggestion would be to print off all the directions and save them for the future when you feel more confident. I am not a quilting teacher, but I am a classroom teacher and I've learned that if people are frustrated they don't learn or, more importantly, enjoy it. Good luck with your decision. Let us know what you decide.
Another Barbara

[Sandy F.]

I am a new quilter and a little intimidated about the 2009 block of month. I have never pieced. What do you experienced quilters think. Should I pass and just continue to watch the shows or should I jump in and try and do the 2009 Block of Month.

Here is a link that will help you with the 1/4 inch seam.
http://quiltville.com/quarterinch.shtml
And like others have said...we are there for you too!
Anna~

[Sandy F.]

I am a new quilter and a little intimidated about the 2009 block of month. I have never pieced. What do you experienced quilters think. Should I pass and just continue to watch the shows or should I jump in and try and do the 2009 Block of Month.

Barbara said it so well, that I don't think I can add anything else of importance to it. Since you are asking the question whether to jump in or not, my sense is that in the back of your mind you already know that you may not be quite ready yet for a project of this size, indeed I would print it out, and follow what others are doing every month on the forum. The good thing is you can always "jump" in during the year and get started if you feel you are now ready to give it a try. Heidi

[Margo C.]

Welcome, Barbara! Yes....this is an ambitious project for a beginner, and a large $$ investment if you have to buy all new fabric, but maybe you can just take it one step at a time, and see how you like it? There will always be TQS support and advice if you need it along the way. The link Anna gave for Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville info about the 1/4" is really good....and IMPORTANT! This project definitely calls for accuracy! I hope you will be joining us, and let us know how you are doing with it!

[jimmie w.]

I thought I heard someone say that part or all of the 2009 BOM needs to be paper pieced. I have never paper pieced before - I have a dvd on paper piecing by Carol Doak. Do you think if I studied that dvd, I could learn to paper piece? Mimi62

[Margo C.]

Mimi, if you have the video you might want to review it, but Sue's directions are really great, and she is showing you how to paper piece THIS design. She also provides a really easy practice piece if you want to try something before cutting into your BOM fabric!

[jimmie w.]

Thanks Margo - I can't wait to get started. Mimi

[Judy M.]

Barbara, since you are a beginning quilter, you might want to practice piecing some simple blocks, such as a four patch or a nine patch. A rail fence pattern is good to practice your 1/4 " seams. The 2009 BOM center is a feathered star--which is a challenge for seasoned quilters. I agree with others that you should print the pattern off for future use. Just use fabric you have on hand instead of spending $$. If I remember correctly, some of the blocks in the quilt look fairly simple and you could practice with those, too. I think Sue is giving directions for several different ways to construct the blocks. This will be a great learning experience--just forget the feathered star center until you are proficient in making the other blocks. Judy in Torrance

[Judy M.]

A question was asked about paper piecing (and learning how to do it). The instructions in the 2009 BOM should give you every clue in the world for doing paper piecing, and the paper piecing in this pattern is the easy-breezy kind: I promise that there is no turning your elbow inside out and upside down to get that long skinny triangle pieced backwards and lopsided (so now you know what I think about THOSE kinds of patterns, I suppose...). The paper piecing is easy - no special tools or paper is required, either.

Okay - now can you all keep a secret???? Shhhh!!! Sometime in January (with a little luck), you will likely see a video somewhere in the TQS stuff where I will demonstrate paper piecing the feathered star. Woo hoo -- is TQS cool or what?!!!

Sue Garman