BOM pattern for sawtooth 1/2 square triangles too small?

[Margo C.]

Sue, I'm glad you found MQR. It's an awesome resource for machine quilting ideas and info.

Deb Levy taught the on-line class that I took, and I learned A LOT from her! Her four week class is repeating starting on Monday (April 13) if you are interested. They are also offering an on-line class for designing whole cloth quilts that starts next month.

The AquaDoodle is basically a tube that you fill with water and the screw-on sponge tip lets you put water anywhere you need some moisture. It's great for "erasing" marks made on fabric with water soluable markers, and for removing water soluable basting stitches without soaking the whole quilt. It can also moisten bulky seam allowances to make them more likely press in the direction you want them to go.

Who knew???? :lol:

[Margo C.]

Okay, Margo, this sounds a lot like those little bottles we used to use to moisten stamps and envelope flaps. I think you can still get those at the office supply stores. Do you think that would work as well, and maybe for a bit less money?

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

[Margo C.]

Okay, Margo, this sounds a lot like those little bottles we used to use to moisten stamps and envelope flaps. I think you can still get those at the office supply stores. Do you think that would work as well, and maybe for a bit less money?

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

Hmmmm. I've never seen one of those, but it sounds promising! Please try it and let us know how it works.

[Kathryn S.]

Kathy,

I have the EB "mini ruler set" that goes down to this teeny size (1" x 2").

Sandy

I'll have to peek at her website- I didn't know that! Can't have too many rulers, can we?

Kathy

[Susan B.]

An envelope moistener is $.98 at Staples. The sponge on the top of the moistener is 1" in diameter, could be aimed sideways. An Aquadoodle pen is $9.98 on Amazon.

I'm through my first sampler block. I made up the block in EQ6, using my colors, printed it out & laid out the HSTs before I started sewing. Only had to unsew once. This is actually becoming enjoyable (grin), kind of like a jigsaw puzzle.

By the way, most honorable and wise teachers, starch rocks. I found my stitching to be much more accurate.

[Margo C.]

An envelope moistener is $.98 at Staples. The sponge on the top of the moistener is 1" in diameter, could be aimed sideways. An Aquadoodle pen is $9.98 on Amazon.

I'm through my first sampler block. I made up the block in EQ6, using my colors, printed it out & laid out the HSTs before I started sewing. Only had to unsew once. This is actually becoming enjoyable (grin), kind of like a jigsaw puzzle.

By the way, most honorable and wise teachers, starch rocks. I found my stitching to be much more accurate.

Big difference in price, however I think (?) I only paid about $6 at WalMart for the set of 2 Crayola AquaDoodles, and I've used them several times already.

Glad you find the starch helpful and I think the EQ6 layout is a great idea!

[Margo C.]

By the way, most honorable and wise teachers, starch rocks. I found my stitching to be much more accurate.[/quote]

I agree. I've never used starch before this project and before reading the helpful posts to the forum. Starch makes the pieces easier to handle and sew correctly. Love it. Thanks for all the helpful advice. I don't post much, but I read everything and enjoy the forum.

[Margo C.]

I agree about the starch, I've never used it much myself, but then again, I've never sewn so many hst before either, I'm a starch convert, indeed each unit comes out very accurate using starch vs not using it. I have one question about making my own from a concentrate or the spray starch in a can. It seems it takes an awful long time for the starch to sink into the fabric, where the can spray seeps into the fabric immediately. Do any of you have the same problem? Is there a trick I don't know about?Do I need to warm up the the solution before I use it each time. I did pre-wash all the fabric before the BOM started, so there are no chemicals in it where that could be the problem, however, the bottle I'm using isn't exactly emitting a "fine" mist either, perhaps that's the problem, but I have no clue. Anyway, any ideas are much appreciated. Heidi

[Margo C.]

Heidi, I just allow extra time for the starch to be absorbed. In fact, I'll just lay them out on a beach towel and spray them until they are nearly soaked, then let them air-dry while I do other things...or even overnight. Then a quick pass over with a steam iron makes them really flat and stiff like paper. I think the aerosol starch probably does soak in faster if you are in a hurry.

[Sharon E.]

Margo -- not to change the subject. Congrats on 2nd place. What wee they thinking? It should have been Best in Show. At least I think so, or at least 1st place.

Hugs, Sharon

[Margo C.]

Thanks, Sharon, but I'm thrilled with 2nd. That show really tends to lean toward hand quilted stuff, and both first and third in that category were completely hand done. Because I quilted GRAM SAYS with my long-arm, I wasn't sure how it would do, even though all the applique was needle-turned. I'll take it!

[Margo C.]

I spritz the fabric, and if I don't have anything else to do, then I say a Hail Mary before ironing it. Otherwise, I will do something else.

Maggie in E Central Illinois

[Denise L.]

Heidi, I just allow extra time for the starch to be absorbed. In fact, I'll just lay them out on a beach towel and spray them until they are nearly soaked, then let them air-dry while I do other things...or even overnight. Then a quick pass over with a steam iron makes them really flat and stiff like paper. I think the aerosol starch probably does soak in faster if you are in a hurry.

I"m new to spray starch and LOVE the effect it has on the blocks. I will try to be patient and wait for them to dry then press.

Thanks

denise

[Diana U.]

Margo,
I really like working with the starched fabric. But I concern is how it quilts, either by hand or machine. Also, if you have distortions starched in, what happens to the quilt when it is washed after it is finished? Will the quilt hang straight? Thanks
Diana

[Margo C.]

Margo,
I really like working with the starched fabric. But I concern is how it quilts, either by hand or machine. Also, if you have distortions starched in, what happens to the quilt when it is washed after it is finished? Will the quilt hang straight? Thanks
Diana

Starched fabric quilts beautifully by machine, but you will have to ask someone else about how it hand quilts! :wink:

If distortions are starched in, then it is quilted, I've found that the quilting is what determines the final shape. It's like you've stretched a piece so that it's a little whonky, then you nail it in place with the quilting! And generally, a quilt can be made to hang straight and flat with careful blocking after it's all done, unless there are severe piecing errors and/or borders that don't fit properly.