Month 3 Arcs

[Margo C.]

For the arcs that we are to make in Month 3, you might want to review Show 1205 with Sue Rasmussen for tips on how to sew gentle curves together.

http://watch/watch-shows/video/show-...torial-piecing

Pay careful attention (starting at minute 34) to how she marks registration lines to line up her pieces and how she pins those marks together and especially how she stitches with the bulk on the TOP so she can she where she's stitching. Her shape is different from what we are sewing, but her technique works really well for our project!

This is a very timely episode for those of us working on Two Of Us!

[Rita C.]

Hi Margo, I just had a look at your instructional video - brilliant as always. I think I will do the paper piecing method for the triangle arcs again. I suppose it would not work to keep the papers on the triangle arcs to attach them to the corner piece because the bulk would get in the way of pinning those curves? But what about removing the papers from the triangles and leaving the paper seam allowance? Still too bulky? I can't wait to get started on this. A big challenge for me for sure! :roll:

[Constance G.]

Margo, thank you for another brilliant video!!!

[Margo C.]

Rita, I know that leaving the papers attached was a brilliant way to do the straight strips for months one and two, but I think that you will find it just too cumbersome for these arcs. I suggest that you review Sue Rasmussen's show #1205 to see how she sews gentle curves. She is not working on our project, but the technique is exactly what we need to do for these arcs. Start watching at minute 34 if you don't want to watch the whole episode again!

[Susan B.]

Outstanding video, Margo. Thank you.

This is sewing arcs as in a Drunkard's Path Block. I don't think we'll need the paper. A pair of good tweezers will help to keep that top layer pulled into position. Ebony Love of LoveBug Studios has another video on sewing this arc on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTOGt4cRdJE

While Ebony doesn't use pins, it is worthwhile just to watch her get this two curves to match up.

[Lois B.]

Still haven't jumped in on this BOM. But Margo's wonderful video tutorial is making me think Bear Paw blocks. Umm.... I have a baby quilt I need to make. Teddy Bears and Bear Paws might be fun. Thanks, Margo!

[Annis C.]

I've found when sewing circles within circles within circles it is easier to start on the outside and work your way to the center. I usually leave the paper on the arcs for sewing the outside circle, depending on the block size and style. To do this I clip the seam allowance generously on the concave edge of the outside piece (sometimes I staystitch first). Then I pin the clipped edge to the pieced arc (the convex edge) using lots of pins to distribute the fullness. Then I turn it over and sew on the line on the paper (arc) side. I very seldom if ever get any tucks. Next I remove the paper from the arc and repeat the process to add the next circle. Since you will be sewing on the arc side for the inner circle, where you can see the points, you don't need paper. Leaving the extra fabric around the outside edge as Margo suggested is very important. When sewing curved seams you can easily lose an 1/8" or more off the finished block and it's nice to have the extra fabric for insurance.

[Margo C.]

Outstanding video, Margo. Thank you.

This is sewing arcs as in a Drunkard's Path Block. I don't think we'll need the paper. A pair of good tweezers will help to keep that top layer pulled into position. Ebony Love of LoveBug Studios has another video on sewing this arc on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTOGt4cRdJE

While Ebony doesn't use pins, it is worthwhile just to watch her get this two curves to match up.

Thanks for that link Susan! Just remember that our units have not been die-cut, and we are dealing with the extra bulk of pieced arcs and we don't want to sew the tips of our triangles into the seam allowance.

I hope that if anyone tries this technique you will please let us know how you like it!

[Margo C.]

DUH!! ops: After watching that video I remembered that I have a gadget for this!! In my recent basement remodel it apparently got put back in a different place and I haven't found it yet, but I'm still looking and will let you know if it shows up. (Maybe it's with Wendy's printer??? :lol: )

Anyway...here is a link to the Curve Master presser foot for those of you who like gadgets! http://www.curvemaster.biz/
The link has instructions about the foot and how to use it and lists some places to purchase the foot, but I noticed that it is also available on Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...re%2Caps%2C195

Here are a couple of links to YouTube videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP8CpP0gmqE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN91YJkpJR8

[Margo C.]

UPDATE! OK...I now remember that I sent the Curve Master presser foot to my sister so I don't have it any more, so I tried stitching one unit without it, following the directions that Sue posted. Because of the pieced points along the arcs, I didn't have any luck stitching without pins, so I'm back to lots of pins!

If anyone else tries it, please share your results!

[Rita C.]

I tried it too but it didn't work for me either I then tried with the pins and that worked perfectly. So I will be pinning this one. If I had one of those curve master feet I would probably use that, but I don't, so it's pins, pins, pins.

[Rita C.]

Great tutorial Margo!

Still haven't started my wall version, too many things going on but I've printed month three. I do have the Curve Master foot and have used to make to make the Drunkard's Path Block. I'm thinking however the pin method would be better considering all the points.

Thanks again!
Barb

[Gail E.]

Thank you once again Margo for your succinct video, you are a GEM, also the PDF, very handy indeed. I am sitting with pen and notebook at the ready to take notes whilst watching the video again just so I don't miss anything.
Very interesting to read everyone's input, so helpful.
Gail

[Gail E.]

what about instead of pins glue stick?
tnx margo for the great video!!

[Margo C.]

Becky, I would not try glue sticks for this. Because the only place the two pieces line up is along the actual seam line, gluing would not be precise enough unless you use Sharon Schamber's technique of Piec-lique.

For that method, you would not cut the curve on the quarter round patch, but would just work with a square of fabric. Use a template and starch to turn under the seam allowance of the smaller curve of the assembled arc unit, then glue the seam allowance to the square using a very fine line of LIQUID glue (not a glue stick), fold back the arc and stitch in the fold of the seam allowance.

That explanation sounds convoluted, but if you are interested, check out Sharon's new book:
http://www.amazon.com/Piec-lique-Cur.../dp/1574328808 (check the prices for used copies!)
or from her daughter's web site: http://www.purpledaisiesllc.com/Piec..._Way_p/128.htm

(This technique is not one of the videos that Sharon will be sharing with us here on TQS.)