BonniFeltz

As long as it doesn't turn into turtle soup. :)

Rhonda

:lol: :lol: :lol:

sgardner

Seriously, when you look at a quilt or a quilt block, can you tell if the person just whipped it together with ease, or struggled over getting it together? Nope. Only the end product matters, and so yes, the turtle can win the race in quilting!

BonniFeltz

I managed to get a couple more blocks done but I'm wondering if I am using the right template now. Perhaps Rhonda can address this. If she doesn't see this then I'll PM her. On the picture of the finished block for Grace, I see that it is 3 blocks by 3 blocks. I don't think that will give me my size I need. Of course it is ok for now since this is a practice block. I've gotten three blocks (of the small ones) done now. I am using the 2.5" block for these but perhaps I need a larger block if I do this for the block exchange.

Rhonda

It seems everything I learn I have to do it the hard way. I always have to learn by trial and error. The many things I post are a result of 30+ years of trial and error. I doubt anyone picks something new up and does it perfectly the first time or even the second time. My first time is always the worst and by the third or fourth attempt I get it right or at least acceptable.

When I first started to quilt I had a cardboard square a pen and a pair of scissors. I didn't think it mattered if I was all that accurate. I would draw out 20+squares and as you went the cardboard would get slightly out of whack and by the time you were done the squares weren't all that square but I used them anyway. You wouldn't want to see my first attempts! LOL

We all have our own learning curve and that just makes us all individuals. There are lots of things I will never do. Curves are not on my list of things to master. I did try a traditional drunkard's path because I inherited some pieces from my MIL but I could't do it justice at all! Just not my thing! That is why when I discovered the star point block and the wings block I was so ecstatic to discover the curve effect! And I adapted eleanor Burns DP method to my cut down method and I was thrilled to able to do them that way. I sure can't do them the traditional way!

Rhonda

Let me go look at Grace and I will be right back.
It is still a 6 block by 6 block construction so the 2 1/2" should give you a 12 1/2" quilt block.

When you join the two halves of the wings are you tacking the point where the two parts of the half meet? If you want to have your two wings on each block meet better I suggest you tack it before you sew the two halves together. But I quite often decided it isn't a big deal and let that go as not being anything I want to redo. It's up to you just a technical suggestion if you like.

Actually never mind the suggestion! I went back and looked and other than the top star -the top two joins are only very very very slightly off the rest are absolutely perfect joins.

Your stars look absolutely terrific!!

Rhonda

The way to decide what size template you need:
2 1/2" + 2 1/2" = 5" - (2) 1/4" seam allowances = 4 1/2"

4 1/2" + 4 1/2" = 9" - 1/2"(seam allowances) = 8 1/2"

8 1/2" + 4 1/2" = 13" - 1/2" = 12 1/2"

You can also use copy paper or any paper and cut it and sew it and iron it just like fabric. When I want to know what I will end up with for a size I cut out the squares in paper and sew them to answer my questions. It is a great way to practice a new technique too without having all the flub ups in fabric and wasting fabric.

When I needed to design the paper templates I used copy paper to make a block then took it all apart after I had cut out the wings block and used the pieces to draw my templates with a seam allowance plus a bit more for leeway.

I have cut out squares of paper and sewn them together to determine what size template I need to get the width I want in a project. My trial and error way of finding answers.

I cut out 5 squares of 2 1/4" to find out what it would look like and how it would measure width wise. I am a visual person and have to see it to make sense of it. Math only goes so far for me. Then I tried other sizes of templates til I got the finished size I wanted.

BonniFeltz

Thanks Rhonda. I'm at work right now so I will look at it more closely after I get home. It always sounds simple when you say it...when I do it? Well that doesn't always turn out as simple. LOL.

I'm not giving up though and I'm getting the hang of doing the blocks. For the swap I'll redo it with larger templates but this is a good learning experience and relatively quick.

Rhonda

Your 2 1/2" template should be the right size for the 12 1/2" quilt block.

Twisted Quilter

Good for you! I took the plunge and did the pinwheel challenge that ended last month. Now I have the courage to try more. I found a Rhonda block this morning that I wanted to do in patriotic colors too. But my red is a bleeder so it's on hold for a minute.

Post a picture when you're done. :thumbup: