The Summer Quilt Project with Robin Long -- Ask Questions Here

[Barbara B.]

Please use this TOPIC to ask questions about Robin Long's Summer Quilt Project.

[Sue H.]

Hi Barbara- Would like to sign up for Robin Longs Summer Quilt Project! Been wanting to try one of her patterns and here she is Yay!
Sue Horton

[Barbara B.]

No need to sign up. Just follow along once the project begins July 10.

[JANET E.]

Hi, I can't find the template to make the12 inch and larger circles. The booklet shows pictures of small circle template. The pattern has a template for the center circle, the petal and the dresden. Thanks, Janet

[Robin]

The template sheet comes with the book and ruler. It is a large paper sheet that is folded up and in the center of the book with the ruler. You might have set it aside not knowing what it was. Let me know if you still can't find it.

[JANET E.]

My template sheet arrived yesterday! Thank you.

[Marge P.]

I finished my practice compass block, it measures 12" - if I make a 12" circle I will not have enough fabric to press to the back - what did I do wrong? My block lays flat, I have more than 1/2" above the points...

[Robin]

Hi Marge! Sorry for the tardy response as I was on a long ago planned vacation last week to Yellowstone!
So just want to verify that your block is measuring 12" across the diameter from raw edge to raw edge? Things to check would be to see if your 1/4" seams are accurate and not more than 1/4". Also pressing is really important in getting the seams to be totally flat with out any overlap on the front. Don't be afraid to add some moisture and then press from the inside of the block to the outside of the block all the way around. The more you do this, the larger your block will get and the flatter it will lay.
It would be helpful to me if you could send a pic of both the front and back of your block with a straight edge ruler on top to see the diameter.
Let's start there!

[Marge P.]

Robin, I hope you had a wonderful vacation! Thank you for answering my question. I am remaking the test block, I finished the 8 pies today and plan to finish it tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes. I am also going to repress the first block to see if I can make it a bit larger. Your directions are wonderful. If I have any further problem I will send you pictures. Thank you!!!!!!

[Marge P.]

Ruth, I remade the block, it turned out to be a perfect 12.5" block. I am not sure what happened but I am thrilled. Thank you for your help. I am posting a picture of it below.

[Marge P.]

Perfect 12.5, thanks Robin

[Robin]

Looks great! So glad you got success the second time and glad my directions are helpful. This is why I really encourage folks to make a practice block to make sure they get all the bugs worked out.

[linda r.]

Robin, I have an older instruction booklet. It only has the compass block not the sunflower block. How can I get the full instructions?
I did the practice block, it came out great. Thanks for such great directions.

[Robin]

Hi Linda, Glad you had success with your compass block! You can order the updated A la Carte book on my website on the Shop page. The updated book has 4 chapters - Mariner's Compass Chapter, Companion Compass Blocks chapter (this was formerly a separate book), a better Finishing Chapter, and a chapter on my no circle finishing method called OctaCompasses. Let me know if you have any questions.

[linda r.]

Thank you.

[Robin H.]

Robin, just starting out to make my test block. My "Fat Robin" rulers have brown paper on the front of your rulers. How to i get that paper off?

[Robin]

The brown paper is there to protect the rulers during manufacture. Start by picking at a corner to lift the paper off the ruler, and then slowly pull the paper off. It should come off in one big sheet.

[Monique L.]

This is not a question but an observation for all the left handlers.
i found using a rotating mat makes work simple.
Line up everything like Robin does in videos/book and then rotate the mat 180 degrees to cut.

[Robin]

Thanks for your comment! Yes, lefties should make sure to read "Tips for Lefties" that I include on the last couple of pages of my Fat and Skinny Robin 16-Point instruction booklets. Glad the info was helpful!

[JANET E.]

If I make a different size compass, how do I figure out what size to make the companion compass block? Thank you.

[Robin]

Look at the table for the Round Sunflower blocks and for the yellow highlighted line that lists the finished center size. For example, an 18" Round Sunflower block has an 8.78" finished center. This means you could make an 8" Compass to put in the middle. Hope this helps! Lots of combinations are possible!

[Liz L.]

I am making the Winter Wreath into a quilt. Do I cut the center circle for the 12” compass from the background fabric that is in the optional kit? Will I have enough for the background? Thanks. I’m enjoying this project.

[Robin]

Yes, you should have plenty of fabric for cutting your center from the 3 1/2 yards you received for the optional kit. On Page 4 of the pattern it talks about splitting your yardage and then sewing it back together. You will have a piece that is about 86" x up to 63". This then gets cut down into a square - up to 63" x 63" (the pattern calls for a 60" square and you can make it a couple inches bigger if you want). You'll have plenty of fabric left over after trimming this into a square for making your center. Hope this makes sense!

[Monique L.]

I’m working on trimming the Dresdens, according to my measurements they should measure 14.5”. I have the pdf pattern and after taping the template sheets I come up short (‘first 2photos), third photo shows my adjustment, would this be correct? Thanks

[Robin]

Hi Monique, Thanks for reaching out. Your picture with the two pieces of paper butted together is correct. My template measures 14 1/4" from top to bottom. See pic in next post.

[Robin]

Here is the pic of my template on my cutting board for reference.

[Monique L.]

Thanks for this.

[Liz L.]

Hi , I am getting ready to cut my petals to put in between the Dresdens. Should I cut 16 templates from the freezer paper?

[Robin]

You don't need to cut 16 freezer paper templates as these can be used over and over again. You can cut a couple if you like to make sure you get them placed on the fabric so you can get all 16 cut out. I only used one template for my quilt. Glad to hear you are at the petal point!

[Liz L.]

Thanks. Looking forward to the finish.