January Feathered Star - it ain't that easy!

[Margo C.]

I tend to be a visual learner. That's why I did the photo tutorials for the BOMs last year, and Sue suggested that I do one again for this year. If a photo is worth a thousand words to you, check out my tutorials! They show, step-by-step, how I did this project. Of course, it's not the only way to do it....just what works for me, and sometimes I used a different technique than what Sue shows in her directions.

Nancy, I use a post card and it works too!

http://good-times.webshots.com/album...ost=good-times

[Margo C.]

Great tutorial Margo, I should have looked at it before posting my earlier reply I love the colours you've chosen for your quilt.

[Margo C.]

dear folks,
i am new to the site and forum and am soo excited to have finished piecing all those little feathers. today, here in nova scotia, is a "snow day", i.e. no school due to freezing rain, SO i am heading up to studio to finish sewing it all together. i'll post a picture later on.
margo, your tutorials are awesome!!!

[Margo C.]

Nancy - thanks for that explanation - yes, it is very clear - it seems the trimming after each seam makes all the difference! Thanks everyone for all the tips - Jenny, where abouts are you in Oz? We had some friends from Melbourne stay with us for a couple of days over Christmas - of course it was absolutely freezing here in the UK - I don't think they are used to the cold now, having lived in Oz for 10 years, although originally from the UK.

I keep looking at the pictures of the feathered stars in the show and tell section - very inspiring aren't they?

[Jenny C.]

Jenny, where abouts are you in Oz? We had some friends from Melbourne stay with us for a couple of days over Christmas - of course it was absolutely freezing here in the UK - I don't think they are used to the cold now, having lived in Oz for 10 years, although originally from the UK.

I keep looking at the pictures of the feathered stars in the show and tell section - very inspiring aren't they?

I am in Melbourne and i can imagine that your friends would not be used to the cold anymore. I am waiting for winter to come round here i don't cope to well with the heat. I agree with you the show and tell are very inspiring this is what is keeping me going with the BOM
Jenny

[Jenny C.]

Well, I have persevered and I am getting there! I haven't had much time in the last couple of days but have got a couple of units together and it is starting to make sense! It is quite a satisfying technique, especially as it is so accurate. I am going to try and get it finished in the next week or so! :lol:

[Jenny C.]

I hope to finish mine as well

[Jenny C.]

We now have video instructions! Kewl! Are we going to be able to download them to keep? Or will they only be available as long as the BOM is available? Maybe they'll make the instructions available on DVD...that'd be awesome.

[Jenny C.]

Like Margo, I also use the quarter seam ruler and love it. After I sew the two pieces together, I fold the paper back and place the ruler on the seam I just sewed and it allows me to cut off the waste seam edges to one-quarter inch.

Also, because I used regular paper for this, I scored each line lightly with a large pin before placing the next piece of fabric for sewing. This allows for precise measuring on the next fabric piece and for easy removal.

Jan

[Margo C.]

We now have video instructions! Kewl! Are we going to be able to download them to keep? Or will they only be available as long as the BOM is available? Maybe they'll make the instructions available on DVD...that'd be awesome.

OMGosh! I knew they were making the video, but didn't realize it was on the web site yet! I wonder how long it's been there???
:roll:
Anyway, if you haven't found it yet, click on BOM on the top purple bar and scroll down to the January pattern. There is a link there for you to click on the instructional video with Sue Garman! You will love her tip about what to do if you stitch a piece onto the foundation and then realize it's not turned in the right direction!
Lots of other great tips, too! Try it, you will like it!!

EDIT: DUH???? That's what I get for coming to the forum before I check the Daily Blog!

[Cathy R.]

Margo,

I loved your webshots of your feathered star process and was amazed at the blocking process. I am a knitter so I understand the importance of blocking, but have never heard that in regards to quilting. Is this something that is done for all blocks of the quilt using starch or is this because it is a feathered star block? If I am 15 1/2 on one side, but 15 1/4 on another, could I block that to be an exact square 15 1/2?

Second, I used the add a quarter ruler. If I used an add an eighth, would my seams be less bulky? What are others using?

Thanks!

Cathy

[Frances L.]

Cathy,
If you used an add an eighth ruler your seams might be a little less bulky, and your star would be less bulky. I wish I had used mine. When I do that, I use the add a quarter one first and after I sew on the line, I trim the seam to an eighth. That gives you a little wiggle room if your raw edges aren't quite lined up.
Frances

[Margo C.]

Cathy, I blocked mine because it wasn't the exact size that Sue said it should have been. After watching a Sharon Schamber video about blocking, I figured it would work for this block and it did! Try it, you will like it! I have never tried the ADD-AN-EIGHTH ruler, but am sure that it would help minimize the bulk. Try it and let us know how you like it!

[Margo C.]

I used both add a 1/4 and add an 1/8 rulers. First I trimmed to a 1/4, then I used the 1/8 ruler for my final seams. I am happy with how it turned out.

Margarita in Auburn, CA

[Annis C.]

I read or heard somewhere that if you are going to have your quilt quilted on a longarm to use 1/4" seams. So you might want to check with your quilter first before trimming to 1/8".