Month 3 Arcs

[Deb B.]

Oh my goodness - I didn't realize that this Forum was out here! Where have I been?!?! It was just a lucky accident that I happened to be looking in the Forum today and saw it. All of these great suggestions would have really helped this month - oh well - now I know it's here . . .

[Margo C.]

Glad you found us Deb! Let us know if you have any questions!

[Margo C.]

Oh my goodness - I didn't realize that this Forum was out here! Where have I been?!?! It was just a lucky accident that I happened to be looking in the Forum today and saw it. All of these great suggestions would have really helped this month - oh well - now I know it's here . . .

Welcome to the forum, Deb. Hope to see you stick around and join in the fun.

[wendy w.]

Welcome Deb you'll have a lot of fun

[Constance G.]

I have a grainline question about piece 3F. Four of these pieces will be oriented side to side in the quilt (at the top and bottom) and four will be oriented top to bottom (on the sides). Should you orient these pieces differently when cutting them out to keep the lengthwise grain consistent in the quilt top?

[Margo C.]

Connie, I don't think it matters much as long as they are cut with the grain of the fabric. The outer borders will stabilize the edges. The instructions don't specify ANY grain lines! :shock:

[Constance G.]

Yes, I did notice a conspicuous absence of grain lines from this month's pattern pieces! :?

[Lorna B.]

Hey all of you BOMers,

Just checked out your progess on the Show & Tell page. Looking good! Love the color combinations.

Lorna

[Constance G.]

And ANOTHER Margo question: Did you starch the background fabrics (the quarter-round and concave pieces)?

Great question! I starched the quarter round (red dots if using the kit) fabric because I knew that fabric would be laying flat on the feed dogs.

I did NOT starch the arc shape (light tourquoise solid) fabric because I knew it would need to be manipulated to fit the curve and I thought it would be easier if the fabric were soft instead of starched. Now that I am finished, I wish I had gone ahead with the starch because I don't like the feel of limp fabric. I will probably add some starch to the assembled units before joining them to the sashing so that the "hand" is consistent over the entire quilt top.

Has anyone else tried it both ways? Did one work better for you than the other??

I didn't try it both ways, but I DID starch my turquoise fabric. Sewing was easy peasy, no issues with the starch. BTW, IMHO sewing the turquoise to the arc was about 100x easier than sewing the arc to the red!

[Margo C.]

Yes, it's easier to sew the larger arc because it is a more gentle curve. Glad to hear that the starch didn't cause an issue manipulating the fabric.

[Gail E.]

Dont' know whether or not anyone has suggested this before!! I found the Fabric Grips to be very useful attatched to the rather slippery template plastic. They stick onto your rulers or templates with tiny sand paper dots and help to stop them sliding whilst cutting your fabric. Hope this is of some use.

[Norma H.]

I have them on some of my regular rulers. They work great

[Andree B.]

Dont' know whether or not anyone has suggested this before!! I found the Fabric Grips to be very useful attatched to the rather slippery template plastic. They stick onto your rulers or templates with tiny sand paper dots and help to stop them sliding whilst cutting your fabric. Hope this is of some use.

Thanks for the tip, I hope to find some at my local quilt shop and give it a try!
Andrée

[Rita C.]

I have them on some of my rulers too Gail thanks for the tip. And I love the new Avatar.

[Nancy H.]

I've used them on my rulers but never gave a thought to templates. Thank you for the tip. What a great site where we can share, thank you ladies.