Esqmommy

Well, I spent exactly 2 minutes working on my DJ blocks. Instead, I spent the whole day working on my September Doll Quilt Swap. She's just about done, so I can devote some time now to my DJ. I need to find a 2 inch circle template. I think I really need 2 1/4, so I can turn the edge under. KLue - don't you have a good method for applique, turned under? Something with thread that melts (I bought some, just unsure how to use it...).

Esqmommy

You hit the nail on the head!!

tuesy

I LOVE your fabrics okie... GREAT job!!

tuesy

I was thinking in doing my block... when I printed out the foundation papers for it, I put in for a 5" block.. then when it's all done, I have to cut off 1/4" all the way around. Should I not make the template for 5"? and just leave it for 4.5"?

Here's a second one I did, this time just rotary cut, but still had to cut off 1/4" on all sides...

BlueChicken

The size you put in is the *finished* size... so you would put in 4.5 and it automatically adds in the seam allowance. :-)

They're looking good!

kluedesigns

the way i do applique is kinda like making a pillow.

use water soluble thread in both the bobbin and the needle.

trace the shape onto light weight interfacing & onto the fabric

cut both pieces out and sew them right sides together

then snip the center of the interfacing and turn the piece out

press the piece into the desired shape and when you're done give the piece a good shot of steam from the iron.

this dissolves the thread and you're able to remove the interfacing and have a turned under 1/4 seam.

then position it the background fabric and stitch it in place.

i typically use the blind stitch or the zig zag.



i'm going to try a another method for my jane applique blocks for the swap.

its basically the same idea but using fusible interfacing and regular thread.

so after you turn the piece out and into its shape, you fuse it in place and stitch down.

user3587

This may help on the sizing, just a suggestion: Klue sent me the pattern for my block and I worked it up just like I've done paper piecing in the past. They both came out less than 5". I had orderd the CD and when it came in I printed a pattern from it. The size was a little larger than the pattern through email. As I made the block (as a poster had suggested) I just trimmed on the dotted lines of the pattern where the pieces were sewn together, I left the sides long. When finished I pressed the block to flatten the seam more (finger press) then squared. I bought the tools for the Dear Jane, but thought 5" square was a 5" square. With the Dear Jane square you can actually line up the midde squares (as the case with my block J6 and it squared perfectly. It's kind of like seeing the out line of your block on a template. With these blocks paper piecing is the only way I could get them near perfect. Too small for me to strip piece. Hope this helps. Better get, to work to work I go, Agh, I hate Mondays.
HAVE A GREAT DAY.

NorBanaquilts

Has everyone made sure that when they printed from Klue's e-mail that they printed at 100% and it wasn't scaled down?

bearpaw

Great blocks, tuesy and okie! Love your fabrics!

ai731

Also, different printers, operating systems, and graphics programs print differently, so if you're printing off patterns, make sure to measure them with your rular before you start to sew. You might find the printed pattern is a little off and you have to print at 98% or 101% (for instance) to get it to print exactly the right size.

Jan