Glad to help, Ann! I am also challenged and figured that between Sue's great directions and photos, and what I could add, maybe it would help others figure it out! SEW LONG!

Margo, you are so generous to take time out of your schedule to provide simplified instructions for the BOM on your website. It was so easy, when I questioned my piece placement, just to go to your website and see how you did it. Thanks for taking time to help those of us who are a little challenged learning these techniques.

I have finally done it. Yesterday I picked out fabrics for the BOM (on sale). I have put them on my profile. NOw I just need to get the background fabric so I can start sewing. Cheryl

This was posted in another forum thread, but you might want to try Sharon Schamber's glueing method!!

"If anyone is interested in Sharon's techniques for gluing pieced blocks here is a link to her free tutorial. It shows a curved flying geese design, but you can get the concept of gluing and stitching: "

http://sharonschambernetwork.com/free_area/videos/flying_geese/part1.html

I had a brain wave regarding putting the units together - mind you I haven't put it into practice! I was wondering if using a tack gun in strategic places would make sewing the long seams easier? (Instead of basting) I think the long seams are making me the most nervous - I would hate to spoil the units, especially as they have taken me so long to assemble! I think I'll do a test run on spare fabric/paper to see how it works. Thanks for the info, Margo, re the rest of the quilt.

gloucestershirelady wrote:
No, Jacky....for the rest of the quilt Sue's directions have us paper piecing the HST (half-square triangle) units, but mostly it's just sewing squares and triangles together! The thing about this pattern, however, is that precise measuring and cutting along the way will make everything fit together beautifully, but if you tend to be a little more casual about your piecing, it will make it more complicated to put together. However....after saying that, I can tell you that Sue's floater strips and awesome instructions tell us how to compensate for pieces that don't come out to the exact size, and make everything work out just fine. WE CAN DO THIS!!

I am still working on my feathered star. It is taking me ages!! I have got the hang of the technique (at last) and am pleased with the colours. It is quite satisfying to do as it is so accurate. I just read the tip about using glue to stabilise the seams before sewing them - I'll try that. Is the rest of the quilt paper pieced by the way? This is my first go at paper piecing - and I have only just started to rotary cut!

I read or heard somewhere that if you are going to have your quilt quilted on a longarm to use 1/4" seams. So you might want to check with your quilter first before trimming to 1/8".

I used both add a 1/4 and add an 1/8 rulers. First I trimmed to a 1/4, then I used the 1/8 ruler for my final seams. I am happy with how it turned out.

Margarita in Auburn, CA

Cathy, I blocked mine because it wasn't the exact size that Sue said it should have been. After watching a Sharon Schamber video about blocking, I figured it would work for this block and it did! Try it, you will like it! I have never tried the ADD-AN-EIGHTH ruler, but am sure that it would help minimize the bulk. Try it and let us know how you like it!

Cathy,
If you used an add an eighth ruler your seams might be a little less bulky, and your star would be less bulky. I wish I had used mine. When I do that, I use the add a quarter one first and after I sew on the line, I trim the seam to an eighth. That gives you a little wiggle room if your raw edges aren't quite lined up.
Frances

Margo,

I loved your webshots of your feathered star process and was amazed at the blocking process. I am a knitter so I understand the importance of blocking, but have never heard that in regards to quilting. Is this something that is done for all blocks of the quilt using starch or is this because it is a feathered star block? If I am 15 1/2 on one side, but 15 1/4 on another, could I block that to be an exact square 15 1/2?

Second, I used the add a quarter ruler. If I used an add an eighth, would my seams be less bulky? What are others using?

Thanks!

Cathy

ipquilter wrote:
OMGosh! I knew they were making the video, but didn't realize it was on the web site yet! I wonder how long it's been there???

Anyway, if you haven't found it yet, click on BOM on the top purple bar and scroll down to the January pattern. There is a link there for you to click on the instructional video with Sue Garman! You will love her tip about what to do if you stitch a piece onto the foundation and then realize it's not turned in the right direction!
Lots of other great tips, too! Try it, you will like it!!

EDIT: DUH???? That's what I get for coming to the forum before I check the Daily Blog!

Like Margo, I also use the quarter seam ruler and love it. After I sew the two pieces together, I fold the paper back and place the ruler on the seam I just sewed and it allows me to cut off the waste seam edges to one-quarter inch.

Also, because I used regular paper for this, I scored each line lightly with a large pin before placing the next piece of fabric for sewing. This allows for precise measuring on the next fabric piece and for easy removal.

Jan