Month 2 sashing strips

[Margo C.]

Because I am not making these sashing strips for my wall size BOM, please post anything you learn/discover that will help others with this month's instructions.
Thanks!

It's not important right now, but please be aware that because there are an even number of strips in these sashings, you might want to consider how you arrange them around the cornerstone stars. The strips will have different colors on the ends, but they can be rotated when you do the final assembly if that is important to you.

[Carol R.]

Thanks for the tip on paying attention to the ends. I would have figured that out way to late. Carol

[Margo C.]

The end strips are different colors because there is an even number. There is an even number because the blocks are 8" or 16" (finished size) and so that the triangles come out right. It's a math thing!

[Margo C.]

In reviewing the instructions for the triangle strips, I have a question about how to layer the two fabrics - If the yellow/orange frond print is face up, does that mean the solid green is face down? I had this same question last month, but because I was using batik fabrics, it wasn't an issue. Hope this makes sense. Thanks

Linda

[Margo C.]

Linda, this green is like a batik and doesn't really have a right or wrong side, but yes, they need to be stacked with all of the right sides facing up, then cut the strips paying attention to the angle that is shown in the photo on page 2 of the Month 2 instructions.

[Margo C.]

Thanks Margo

[Margo C.]

Because I am not making these sashing strips for my wall size BOM, please post anything you learn/discover that will help others with this month's instructions.
Thanks!

I have made all the pieced center units using the BOM directions. TIP: pay attention to the measurements every time you sew a set together. Make sure that they measure exactly what the directions say. If they don't measure right, you can end up being off by quite a bit after sewing 8 or 16 stripes together. Just being off by 1/16 per seam, after 8 seams, you are off by 1 inch.

Follow the directions for measuring and then adjust your 1/4 inch seam and/or trim so that the sewn pieces are EXACTLY the sizes listed in the directions. They must be precise.

Erica

[Margo C.]

Excellent advice Erica! Thanks for sharing! A whole inch is a lot to ease in!

[Margo C.]

Excellent advice Erica! Thanks for sharing! A whole inch is a lot to ease in!

That amount of easing is do-able, particularly if not on a straight grain, but getting your seams right in the first place is easier :wink:

[Mary A.]

I ended up paper piecing the month 2 sashing - at least the part with the little triangles. The stripes were easy peasy and came out to exactly the correct size, so no worries there. However, I only made one 8" strip and didn't add the second strip of small triangles because I don't like the colors I chose. It looks like the circus came to town and especially bad against last month's sashing. I was intent on making this month's sashing according to the piecing directions, but after a careful re-read of month 1 and 2 instructions and making the templates, decided against this approach. So now month 2 sashing is in time out while I figure out a better color scheme. My project will still be scrappy, but there is WAY too much going on in the test piece I made. BTW, although the photo looks wonky because of my inept cropping, it is actually quite straight and square.

[Mary A.]

It looks like the circus came to town and especially bad against last month's sashing.

I can see what you are saying about the circus. I think because the green looks like grass, it is enhancing the circus look. If I were you I would replace the green with a really dark orange or purple ( or a color that doesn't imply ground or sky).

Erica

[Mary A.]

I am probably going to leave the green, although I am considering your critique, too. Here is a photo of the month 1 sashing, which may make it clearer. I may take the orange out at this point and make the sashing similar in color, but different fabrics, from month 1.

[Mary A.]

I finished my strips for month 2 sashing. I know that's the easy part, but I didn't have time to really get into the triangles today. I did check my widths as I went and when I finished. I used a prior comment about sewing a scant 1/4" seam and it worked perfectly! Thank you to whomever posted that hint.

[Margo C.]

Elaine, I like the way you changed the narrow border!

Also, you might want to take a look at my video about how to test your seam allowance for accuracy: learn/classrooms/

[Margo C.]

Margo, thank you for suggesting the video. All of your videos are so well executed and easy to follow.

Also, I didn't get creative with my strips, but thank you! They're just all stacked up alternating colors so I can document they're all done.