Hello ladies,
I get it, I get it!
Month#2 was hard!
Well, it's good for your brain to be challenged!
Some months will be easier than others, but just take it one piece at a time.
And, Month#3 is truly not that bad.
Speaking of... here are my tips and words of wisdom for Month #3:
To make Border Template "2A" and "2B" you can either cut using the templates (if you're really bored and want to kill a lot of time) OR... do what I did, which is to rotary cut squares and then crosscut diagonally ONCE to get your triangles.
Here's how I did it:
For Template border "2A"
• Cut (2) 2.25"x 45" strips
• Cut these into 2.25" squares, making sure that you get at LEAST (30) squares
• Crosscut each of these squares once diagonally to make at LEAST (60) triangles.
• Check these triangles against the template border "2A" shape in the book for accuracy.
*A little note: in the book, it says that you'll only need 56 of these shapes, but I found that I needed a total of 60. Put another way, each side of your block will need a total of (14) finished "Flying Geese" units, but I found that I consistently needed (15) units per side. When we did this in class, some of the gals only needed 14 units and some needed 15 and some needed a mix of both. I recommend piecing the 14 units together and checking to see if you need the 15th or not. Why does this happen? It's a testament to how different everyone's .25" seams are!
For template border "2B"
• Cut (3) 1 7/8 x 45" strips (I know that's a finicky measurement, and you may be tempted to cut a 2" strip, but trust me, that 1/8" makes a HUGE difference!)
• Cut these strips into 1 7/8" squares for a total of at LEAST (58) squares
• Crosscut each square ONCE diagonally for a total of at LEAST (116) triangles
• Check these against the template border "2B" in the book for accuracy.
Piecing the Flying Geese Units:
• Finished units should measure approximately 1 3/8" x 2 1/4".
• Make sure that your Geese are flying all in the same direction (either clockwise or counter- clockwise around the center of your quilt)
Template C (the corner posts):
• One little note about this: in my block, you will see that I pieced the Template "C's" into the corners according to how they did it in the book. I am kind of regretting this and wishing that I had done my own thing and experimented with something a little more "symmetrical," as in the corner posts from last month. I encourage you to play around with the composition of the corner posts a little bit and see what you come up with.
And... I think that's it!
Have FUN piecing your quilt: It's getting bigger and bigger, isn't it?
See you again soon!
XOXO
Rhea
9 comments:
Hello Rhea!
Being so busy with sewing so many bags for Christmas gifts, I finally started block 1 and finished block 2 tonight. I just read block 3--so many triangles to cut! And then I looked at the remaining instructions--gasp!!!! But I will persevere!
Hi Susanne, I miss you so!
I got your Christmas Letter and now I'm so glad to hear that you're on Month 3!
Don't tell anyone, but Month #6 is the worst. It gets much MUCH easier after that!
See you soon,
Rhea
Month 6? Yikes! Hi Rhea Rhea, I am almost done with January and looking forward to #4. My quarter inch must be awfully fat because it took 16 geese per side! Cheers from sunny Florida!
Rhea, why are my four corners too big?? I used the template. They are 2 1/2 inch squares and my geese strips are 2 1/4. Help!
I'd say your "wicked fat" quarter inch foot is the culprit...
Can you Tim Gunn that baby and...
"Make it Work?"
Sorry, I am obsessed!
XOXO
Rhea
I had a thought
(No "I knew I smelled smoke jokes, please!!!)
I think you can get away with it if you trim your corner pieces down to
2 1/4" square.
Next I would double check that your 1/4" foot is a true quarter inch.
If it is, maybe think about sewing a scant 1/4" from now on.
If it isn't... I think you know what to do if it isn't.
Yes, month#6 (with the diamonds) is the hardest month.
BUT...
By the end of it, those diamonds will be whipped into submission and you will have conquered something new.
And...
I have a few tricks up my sleeve to try and make it easier for everyone.
I'm watching the Today Show as I type this and they JUST SAID that taking up a challenging hobby will keep your brain SHARP well into your golden years.
True story.
I think this definitely qualifies as a challenging hobby.
So, you're laying the foundation for smooth sailing later on in life.
Lemme know how she goes!
XOXO
Rhea
Thank Rhea! Actually, it would be fine if I trimmed those corner pieces to 2 1/4 but they are exactly per the template so I am still scratching my head . . . Oh well, will do as Teacher says and await my February BOM.
Hi Liz,
Your template and the 2 1/2" squares are fine:
It's the flying geese that are too small.
They're the culprit!!!
(I think because your 1/4" seam allowance is just a bit too big, and that extra bit of seam allowance made your finished geese a tad small)
Savvy?
XOXO
Rhea
Yeah, I get it - the flying geese border did fit perfectly on the existing quilt so I guess if nothing else, I am consistent with that fat 1/4 " seam allowance. (I did measure it and it does measure 1/4" but it certainly is no scant 1/4".) Thanks, Rhea, miss you!
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