Paper pieced?

[Denise L.]

Thanks Margo, good idea. Denise's success helps, too. I'll give the pp a try in other fabrics.

We can do it Sue!!

[Margo C.]

[Alex A.]

( I love Margo)

[Susan B.]

( I love Margo)

Oh, yes!

[Annis C.]

Here's some suggestions to add to Margo's tutorial for those that want to use slightly oversized pieces. I've done it both ways but found my students prefer the larger pieces.

Make your templates adding 3/8" seam allowance. Then if you are using an Add-A-Quarter ruler to cut the pieces, cut 1/4" off one side of the templates.



The size strips you will need are 3" x width of fabric (42"). 11 strips of each fabric should be sufficient. Each strip should yield 23 units plus 2 half units. If I added correctly you will need 208 blue units, 64 blue half units (cut 32 as mirror images), and 240 orange units. Since you have 36" of fabric to work with you should have plenty of fabric for this method.

I put some double stick tape on the back of the templates. When cutting every other unit you will need to either flip the fabric over or flip the template over. Since I didn't want to take the time to put double stick tape on both sides of the template I flipped the fabric over. (As an after thought it doesn't matter which way the full size template goes. It will still be the same size. The half size will make a difference though to get the mirror images). Layer at least 4 strips for faster cutting.



I added guidelines to the template patterns, shown in red, 3/8" from all of the seams starting from the center out and around the outside edges. This helps to position the fabric more accurately. Line up the first piece with the guidelines, then place the next piece in the finished position before flipping over to the sewing position. Since these are oversized they don't have to be lined up perfectly, but they need to be close. Before sewing, fold over on the seam line to make sure the unit covers the next space up to the guidelines. Use vellum foundations so you can see the sewing lines on the back side. After sewing, trim the seam to 1/4" and press. The seams will be pressed to one side instead of open.

[Margo C.]

THANKS ANNIS!!

[Joanna D.]

I'm with Susan. I was about to get the paper bag to breathe into. Thank you so much, Margo. And I just saw the post from Annis. Sigh of relief!!!

Does anyone know about video support? I guess I just assumed this BOM would be like the others. This looks like a complicated pattern to read and do. I'm a little scared. But I do have big girl panties!

[Constance G.]

I have to admit that when I looked at Month 1 directions, I got a panic attack. ops: I'm thinking about how to gracefully bow out & may offer up my kit for sale at a reduced price. I have a feeling this is more than I bargained for. I don't remember feeling this on previous BOM's and I'm thinking I should pay attention to my gut feeling. This looks like it requires a LOT of skill at following directions. No video backup this time?

Sometimes people offer alternatives for various parts of BOMs. I'll watch for those for awhile and continue to read the directions until I feel confident that I can do it.

I too am disappointed not to have any video accompanying the BOM directions. I loved the ones done by Sue Garman and Sarah Vedeler for
prior BOMs. Call me spoiled, I guess!

[Susan B.]

Margo and Annis, a big thankful hug to you both. I actually have a template made following Annis' directions...haven't made one in 37 years . Dumb question time. I'm thinking about cutting fabric tomorrow on a good night's sleep...trial fabric. Cutting against a template doesn't appear quite as safe as using a rotary cutting ruler. This template plastic cuts like butter. Do we just place the template slightly inside the ruler? Since we're paper piecing, these little pieces don't have to be dead on perfect, right?

Additionally, for the end pieces, since there was no template for the ends, it looks to me like we just bisect the triangle for the end pieces and add the seam allowances. Looking for a little agreement on this statement, gals.

Thanks for your brilliance. It is much appreciated.

[Annis C.]

I always place a ruler on top of the template for cutting. They don't have to be perfect when cut oversized. My demo shows me using an Add-A-Quarter ruler which bumps against the edge of the template.

[Annis C.]

An easier way to cut these would be to tape the template to the back side of a ruler.

[Denise L.]

An easier way to cut these would be to tape the template to the back side of a ruler.

Love that idea

[Jo H.]

Does anyone know how to print these awesome tips from Margo and Annis? I would like to have the photos too so that I can go upstairs (away from my computer) and follow their wonderful instructions.

[Susan B.]

With the Snipping Tool! Snip however much shows up on your monitor, save it, copy and paste into a Word Document.
Repeat till you have what you want.

Snipping Tool is a screen capture app. I thought it came with Windows, but you may be able to download it. I thought I saw Margo post a link somewhere. Help Margo!

[Margo C.]

Snip It: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...e-screen-shots