Four Patch Border Pressing

[Barbara B.]

After completing 3 of the 4 Four patch borders where I pressed the units to one side, I made the fourth border by pressing the seams open--that is the seam that joins the 4-patch with the triangles sewn on. I found my border was flatter and I could see better when I sewed on the floater borders.

So, for me, it helped to try something new, and press the seams open.

Barbara

[Margo C.]

I was able to get my seams to lie flat by twirling my intersections. I show how I did it in my tutorial here:

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

[Damaris E.]

I want to twirl my intersections too!! Thanks Margo!!

[Damaris E.]

Margo, My Feb block is measuring at 30 inches without the second floater boarder. What size is the next floater for March? I might have to just use one instead of two floaters.

[Margo C.]

Judy, you won't know what size the next floater is until you get your pinwheels pieced. Of course, you can combine the two floaters, but it's also possible to add the border to your February block, and just make it wide enough to finish at less than one inch, then make the first floater for next month a little more narrow. Sue's math will make it simple, whichever way you decide to do it.

If you will go to SHOW & TELL and look at Sue's finished quilt, and my finished quilt (the first and third photos posted) you will see that the floater strips around our pinwheel borders are significantly different widths. We are all making one of a kind quilts this year!

[Margo C.]

That's what I was thinking. My inner floater needed to be 2 inches because my squares on point were longer when finished and my feathered star was smaller than the directions when finished. I think I'll add an inch wide floater. I really appreciate the flexibility that the floaters give this quilt, genius.

[Margo C.]

I think we are all learning new tricks with this project!!
You could also go back and replace the 2" border with two narrow ones if you are looking for something to do before the next pattern is posted!! :lol:

[Patti P.]

Judy nice new profile picture! Who were the roses from?

[Patti P.]

Pressing seams open is pesky, but really does give a nice flat block...plus you can see where the points are when sewing on the border.

[Patti P.]

Judy nice new profile picture! Who were the roses from?

Thank you, I received 50 roses on my 50th birthday.

[Patti P.]

Judy, don't you think you should have looked like you were 40 before you turned 50?! :wink:

[Patti P.]

Dear Judy,
My Feb block is a little over 30" and I had the same question as you.
I added the last floater as per instructions and will adjust as I get to the next one.
It is interesting that with my star blocks I have beautiful points and they all lie flat but they are all a bit bigger than instructions!! I'll have to go back and double check my 1/4 inch.
How did your star blocks come out?