JayneW

Wow, such beautiful (and fun) fabrics you all have been posting! I've had my fabric for a while, but now I'm having second thoughts! If I go with plan A, it is a fun patriotic print. We'll see!

We are heading out to Salt Lake for a big family Christmas. As everyone gets older you never know how many of these we will have. I am really excited to see my two boys along with the rest of my family. Even my in-laws are going!

D.Henson

Oh my gosh, such nice fabric popping up. I love reading the comments,...” It’s going to be fun working with this fabric, & can’t wait to play with your fabric...”. I must say, I’m a little nervous to “play” with some of these amazing prints. I don’t want to mess them up. With that being said, I’m excited to make blocks for my QB friends.

sewbizgirl

D. Henson, you can go as simple or elaborate as you feel comfortable with, when making your blocks. Plenty of them will be simple designs. They all go together in our quilts.

In fact, Janice usually asks us to stay within our 'comfort zone' when making blocks with other people's fabric. It's a good policy.

D.Henson

Thanks sewbiz, I know I will have tons of support along the way. I will go simple, because I haven’t made very many blocks. I’ve looked on pinterest and will practice new patterns before I use the material sent to me. I will ask for help as needed. Looking forward to making new blocks.

GramE

D Henson, Quilter’s Cache has a ton of blocks. That where I started. Sometimes I spend more time looking for the “right” pattern than sewing the block. Just remember to check the size of the pattern before you cut. I learned the hard way that you can only cut a fat eighth one time! But you will have a bunch of fun!

Libster

What I always do when I choose a new-to-me pattern is to make one in some scrap fabrics first. That way if there's a problem with instructions or size, I don't ruin somebody's F8. We all had our first Boom jitters, so we understand where you're coming from. Just relax and have fun with it. You'll do fine.

klaws

Joan, I love your Carpenters Star. How big is it?

Kassaundra

I tend to push the F8 limit for how much fabric can be used, sometimes just having threads left. I love the design part so always have graph paper. I will draw out the F8 size on graph paper (1 square per inch or sometimes 1 square for 1/2 inch) and draw out my shapes I need to cut in the amount that needs to come from the F8 before cutting just to make sure I have enough. If you draw your F8 in pen and your pieces in pencil you can putz w/ the layout until it works. (I don't do that on every block just the ones I know I am pushing the limit of physics on!!! lol)

mjpEncinitas

I practice the blocks I’m not sure of too. I have 12 black white and red day of the dead blocks that will make a fun quilt someday.

Janice McC

D.Henson, what Libster said!

Sewbiz mentioned that that I suggest making something you are comfortable with and I do agree in general. That doesn't mean you shouldn't stretch a bit. If there is a block you want to make but you aren't sure about it, use some scrap fabrics to try it out. Then you can save that block for a future scrappy quilt for yourself. I've got lots of "practice" blocks that I should make into a quilt (or 3) some year. But using someone else's fabric the first time you want to make an intricate block that's a huge stretch for your skills is a recipe for disappointment. Common sense is your greatest asset. That, and a good acrylic ruler!