DOTTYMO

Thank you for all your ideas to do while recuperating after an operation. Doing fine better than expected and onto my new quilt project. Japanese puzzle. I am stuck .does anyone know how to join. I have a set of instructions but still not able to follow. First set to join fine, what and how do I join next?

MTS

If you're doing the very traditional JP block (I know there are some faux patterns out there):

The middle seams of each block are NOT supposed to match up with the middle seams of the adjoining blocks.

The only thing "matching up" is the intersection of the four patches within a block.
That's it.

Is that the problem ...you're trying to line them up?

You should join the blocks like you would diamonds....offset by 1/4" (little dog ears) so that after you sew the two blocks together, when you turn the block back, it now creates a straight edge along the top and bottom of the two blocks.

When joining, you treat the four patch as a whole block...don't worry about those middle seams.
They will offset a little - which they're supposed to - which creates that dynamic pattern.

And you continue on from there.

I can't find my JP wallhanging. And the workpapers from when I taught the class are AWOL (again) as well.

Hope this makes sense to you.
It's one of my favorite patterns.


eta: Check out close-ups of Twister blocks...same concept, except the JP block is not square.

DOTTYMO

No. My problem MTS is that when I join some diamonds they are not the same length and therefore no straight edge to join to another pair. I have tried no end of ways.

MTS

We're talking about the 4 patch diamond block, right?
Not the individual patches?

MTS

I'm just throwing out some questions here.....(no picture so I'm just guessing on what could be the issue)

-Did you cut the patches using templates, or using a sketch of the rhombus on your cutting board?

-When you cut the (solid) piece of fabric into the 4 patches, did you switch diamond patch one with three, and two with four on the blocks before reassembling the pieces for the new 4 patch diamond (made of 4 fabrics) ?

(You pretty much have to cut and rearrange all the blocks and lay them out before sewing the 4 patch blocks.

My first JP was made with batiks - ha! Not so smart - try figuring out where (and how) a patch goes when it falls off the design fall - orientation, right side/wrong side. was a bit challenging, to say the least.)

-The diamonds you made - when you say they're not the same size, could it be because they stretched out of shape because of all the exposed bias?

Really, the last is the only thing that should have an effect on the size of the block

Trying to think of something else.

Any chance you could post a picture of the two blocks?

DOTTYMO

This is the pattern I'm using cheryl.thisbe.org/JapanesePuzzle2.pdf. It is me who is just not clicking with the joining. Instructions.
Thank you for your help as I am house bound at present due to operation.

MTS

Okay, I'm up.

That pattern is really well-written, and is what I call a real JP (you can see the faux ones done with squares at the end - they look too clunky to my eye).

She cuts and sews the patches together differently than I do, but that shouldn't be affecting putting it together, but we both end up with the same shapes.

(I've got some tips for cutting and sewing your next one, but we'll leave that for another time.)

Are you making a small one like in the pattern, or a bigger wallhanging/quilt?

So I gotta ask...

Are you sure each patch was in the correct position on your design wall before you started sewing?

(It is so easy to swap or accidentally turn around the A's with each other within a block when laying out the pieces.
It's one of the only quilts I don't chain piece. Can you imagine??!?!!!!!)

Oy.
If I was sitting next to you, I'm sure I'd be able to see the problem.
Any chance for pictures?

Where on page 4 did you get to (which photo), and at which exact step is it not working for you?

DOTTYMO

I get as far as joining two different coloured pieces. When I have joined all list this I see they will not fit to make straight lines. Yes I do move and then pin into new places . I try to be so careful and sew one pair at a time. I am making placemats. To begin with. The a1 and a2 are stopped top to bottom b1and b2 go left to right .
Then I join sorry I'm so thick I think it could be results of the anaesthetic last Wednesday. This is just not like me.

DOTTYMO

Sorry no photoessays run out of batteries.

MTS

Hang on just writing a reply....