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Northeast Iowa Quilt Guild | Contact Guild President and Web Mistress at arlene.klatt@gmail.com |
Farmer’s Wife Update
Templates and many many pieces the last two months have been hard work. Some tried Thangles for the 1” half square triangles and found that helpful. Spray starch continues to be our friend.
Arlene Klatt gave us the following tips for hand piecing.
1. Mark your sewing line
2. Start sewing 1/2” from the corner and sew to the corner, turn and sew the seam. Do the opposite at the other corner. This eliminates the need for knots and the associated bulk.
3. Only sew to the seam allowance, not to the edge of the fabric.
4. Generally wait until block is completed to press.
Clipping and Pressing:
1) Seams may be pressed open
2) Using a "Jo Morton" clip will help you press
Use a small sharp scissors and clip into the seam allowance (but not through your stitching!) about 1/4" away from the seam. This will allow you to press the intersection open and the seam allowance on either side in the desired direction.
Spray Starch:
Carolyn and Candace both agree that pressing your fabric with spray starch BEFORE cutting and piecing is very helpful to your accuracy
Maple Leaf Stem (Block #56)
An alternate method for the stem unit ......
Cut a 2 1/2" background square
Cut a strip 1" X 4" from step fabric. Press strip wrong sides together on the long side. Lay raw edges of pressed strip on the diagonal of the background square. Machine stitch together a scant 1/4" from raw edge. Press folded edge over raw edges and hand applique to background.
Below is a picture of the block with the stem pieced like the pattern in the book.
Quilting Math or Magic Numbers
Finished Size: the measurement of a unit AFTER it is sewn into a block
Cut size: the measurement you need to cut to achieve the finished size
Magic Numbers: the measurement you need to add to the finished size to get the cut size
The basic magic numbers are:
1/2" for a square
7/8" for a half-square triangle unit
1 1/4" for a quarter-square triangle unit
Example: If you need to make a half-square unit that is 2" finished you need to cut a 2 7/8" square from each fabric. If you need a little "insurance" cut a bit larger and square up as needed.
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Farmer's Wife Group Winding down Photos updated on Sept 8, 2011
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