APRIL BORDER BLOCKS

[Margo]

April’s directions are posted, and Sue’s video this month talks about color choices! I would like to point out that for the next 6 months we will be doing the same thing each month; only the lay-out of the blocks for each month will be a little different.
Remember how challenging the little 4 patch border was? The border for these sampler blocks is the same thing….only bigger. So……it is really important that we measure, cut, stitch and press precisely! And remember that more important than your seam allowance is the FINISHED measurement of the pieces! After you get the first block assembled, measure the squares. They should finish at 1”x1”. If they don’t you will need to see what you have to do to make it that size. If the unfinished measurement is 6-1/2” x 6-1-1/2” it will make the assembly of this border much less frustrating!
WE CAN DO THIS!

[ajclapp]

My first border block is posted, plus all of my flying geese for the Sawtooth Stars and one finished Sawtooth Star which now have a different name. Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns gives 5 different choices, so I will call them Texas Stars. I decided I didn't want any more half-square triangles or flying geese in my quilt so designed a new border block that will be repeated around the quilt using different fabrics. I also had several prints with light backgrounds and needed a place to put them so they are being used around the center square. One of the fabrics had too large of a print for the small triangles so will have to go shopping for another fabric or two to replace it. The Texas Star blocks finish at 5" and the border blocks finish at almost 7 1/2" which is the exact size needed for the on point of a 10 1/2" square.

[Margo]

Annis, that is going to be a beautiful border to add to your stunning center! Thanks for raising the bar!

[Margo]

Whew....manipulating 36 one and one-half inch pieces to get them sewn together to an exact 6 1/2" is very difficult. You take a combination of hands that aren't as flexible as when I was young, eyesight that requires progressive no-line bifocals, and a sewing machine that's not a great one, although it's okay, and you tend to get some distortion when handling, sewing, and pressing small pieces. I've finished two, and they're VERY close to 6 1/2", but I think I'm going to lose a point or two as they get sewn to the setting triangles, and I have some intersections that aren't quite right! My setting triangle fabric is pretty bright and busy so I'm hoping it will distract from those blunted points. :wink:

[dianaupp]

I didn't want to do any more HST than needed so I started off figuring where I could use flying geese. But it dawned on me to draw it up in EQ6 and see how the foundation piecing worked. There are 8 segments for the first April block. I will give one a try and see if I can better accuracy that way. I don't need mine to be perfect but I still think it makes the finished product look better. I find the missed points and misaligned seams detract from the symmetry of it. And yes I am married to an engineer but I am a biologist.

[denise-nh]

Whew....manipulating 36 one and one-half inch pieces to get them sewn together to an exact 6 1/2" is very difficult. You take a combination of hands that aren't as flexible as when I was young, eyesight that requires progressive no-line bifocals, and a sewing machine that's not a great one, although it's okay, and you tend to get some distortion when handling, sewing, and pressing small pieces. I've finished two, and they're VERY close to 6 1/2", but I think I'm going to lose a point or two as they get sewn to the setting triangles, and I have some intersections that aren't quite right! My setting triangle fabric is pretty bright and busy so I'm hoping it will distract from those blunted points. :wink:

I'm going to lose one point on one of my blocks but in the grand scheme of things, no one will notice. I"m ok with that.

denise

[denise-nh]

I'd be VERY happy to feel like I'm only going to lose one point. :lol: I see a few already that are probably going to get blunted when attached to the setting triangles. Still, that whole quilt will have a lot to look at, so I'm just hoping no one notices! I think the overall effect will be so astonishing due to Sue's design that the little "uh-oh" parts will just blend in and hide. I hope so, anyway!

[Margo]

I made my quilt as a wonderful learning experience, knowing it would not be subjected to the critical eye of a show judge. I enjoyed the process and the product without the stress of unrealistic expectations. Life is too short! I did the best I could do, and will live with the rest.

[Margo]

That's the best way to make a quilt, Margo. I KNEW that this quilt of Sue's was more intricate than anything I've ever attempted, but I decided at the beginning that it would be MY quilt. I'm learning a LOT! I know I'll be happy with it no matter what. I think that when I'm photographing the blocks to put on Show and Tell, I see my mistakes and think the quilt police will be coming after me, even though I know better. :wink: At least I've learned enough as a quilter to know how the points and intersections are supposed to look, even if I can't quite achieve them.

[sueglass]

OK, so is it just me or is anyone else having difficulty getting the paper pieced HST squares to come out at 1 1/2? I have very carefully sewn and cut right on the lines, and my squares are coming out at 1 3/8 every time. Printing of the paper is not the problem - the 1 inch test squares are measuring out to 1 inch, so it is printing out of the computer accurately. What's the deal? I had no problems with the pinwheels or the other stars. Did something change for this month's pattern?

[Margo]

OK, so is it just me or is anyone else having difficulty getting the paper pieced HST squares to come out at 1 1/2? I have very carefully sewn and cut right on the lines, and my squares are coming out at 1 3/8 every time. Printing of the paper is not the problem - the 1 inch test squares are measuring out to 1 inch, so it is printing out of the computer accurately. What's the deal? I had no problems with the pinwheels or the other stars. Did something change for this month's pattern?

Sueglass, nothing has changed for this month's pattern. I just went down and printed out the page with the 1" test square on it and sewed some HSTs. They all came out to exactly 1-1/2". Can you check your 1" test square again? It needs to measure EXACTLY 1". Make sure your printer scale is set to "none" when you print out the pages. Let me know if you figure out what the issue is.

[mimi62]

Margo, are all the other stars for the border stars, the same as the four for April with just the color changed? When we put the sawtooth stars on, do we add a strip of fabric so the stars will alternate back and forth? Thanks Jimmie[/u]

[Margo]

Margo, are all the other stars for the border stars, the same as the four for April with just the color changed? When we put the sawtooth stars on, do we add a strip of fabric so the stars will alternate back and forth? Thanks Jimmie[/u]

Jimmie, all of the border stars are 6" stars divided into 36 one inch units. Each month there will be two different layouts, but if you want to work ahead and make your own, you are welcome! Just make sure that they will finish at 6" x 6".
Yes, the sawtooth stars will each get a strip of background fabric that measures 1" x 4" (finished size).

[Margo]

Just dropped in to say I am still here and still plodding away at 2 BOM's, but I am sad to say 1 month behind. I have had to finish a baby quilt for my new nephew (born Feb 16 th), I am working on his Christening quilt too (hand quilted wholecloth), still working on the 2008 BOM (July is well on the way lol), and I am working on a First Communion dress for my dd on May 3. Hopefully once all the other things are out of the way I can catch up with you all. For now though I am completed on both my quilts up through the February border and am working on the March pinwheels when I can grab a moment. Glad to see all your guys wonderful work!!!

Mandy

[Margo]

Good to hear from you Mandy! Join us whenever you can!