My guess is that Rosemary's diagonal clipping method works nicely because the clip is done on the bias. So the sewn line of the seam next to the clipped areas probably lays flatter than those with a perpendicular clip.

Just a guess... I have always clipped strait in. I will try to remember this and try it next time I need to clip!

Great info Rosemary! I too, have sewn for lots of years and never considered the difference in how I clipped. Just clipped. I will pay attention the next time and see what happens. Thanks.

maggieszafranski wrote: I wouldn't say that you shouldn't, indeed I have used perpendicular snipping and sometime it has worked nicely and sometimes it hasn't. I just mention that I have found I get a smoother finish, and I thought that I would pass on my findings for others to try for themselves. Alternatives are always good to know about
It also works for internal curves.

I did clip my curves, but the way Rosemary showed that we shouldn't! And I clipped before stitching. It seemed to help immensely. I used LOTS of pins!

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

Rosemary, thank you for the lesson in clipping curves. I have been sewing garments for 50 years, and did not know to clip the curves at an angle. I have cut v-shapes out to make things smoother in a tighter curve. I guess that is probably the same principle. It is always nice to learn new things.

Hi Jetmaio,

You can take the paper out as you go along - as long as you leave the paper on while there is something new to be added. Does that make any sense at all?! I would leave the center paper on until you have it stitched into the month 2 blocks. And I would keep the paper in the triangles from month 1 until the blocks from months 3, 4 and 5 are added. It will help to give you some stability and the quilt will keep it's shape better. This is why I like to use the Stable Stuff rather than regular copy paper as it is a lot softer and easier to work with - and you won't get paper wrinkles.

Rosemary... I love your technique for clipping curves. I have never heard of clipping at an angle before.

I think I did a few clips here and there - it is usually obvious where a clip is needed as the seam will be pulling a little.

Sarah

Elsewhere here! It helped me

Whilst I am not currently doing this, my experience from dressmaking & tailoring has shown that usually you are safer doing the clipping after the stitching. Also if you have a small seam allowance -1/8"- clipping is un-necessary. Also the angle of the clipping can make a real difference to the smoothness of the curve.
Normally we are shown to do our clipping as is drawn on the left-hand side of the above circle, this I find can give you lots of small points at the base of the clip when turned out..
If you clip as for the right hand side of the circle, I have found that these points tend to become eliminated - this I have mainly found on necklines, where for added smoothness I will clip each layer of fabric in the opposite direction and alternating to one another.

Even if this doen't answer your current problem, I hope it helps elsewhere.

I had previously posted under the title "Printer Ink". I think that topic has been fully covered thanks to all the respondents. I now have other questions which I think would be best split out on their own.

Here is my first new question. When are we supposed to take off the foundation paper (say on Month 1 for now)? I have sewn the small outer border on and it fit nicely BUT with the paper on when I pressed the piece I am getting paper wrinkles, if you understand what I mean. I really think if I removed the paper and sprayed it my fabric would be o.k. I sure hope so.

Another question, are we supposed to clip any of the curves to help in placing the circles? I didn't because it didn't say to do that but I think it might have been a bit easier.