Glad to help, Kathy! We will be doing similar blocks every month until we have 24 of them made and by then we should all be really proficient with 1" HSTs!!

[quote= Each month there are four different lay-outs, but they are all composed of HSTs and squares. You are welcome to use any layout and color combination that works for you! Because my blocks were all scrappy, and didn't follow Sue's color guides at all, I found that it worked best for me if I just made one block at a time by using the charts that I show in my tutorial.

http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/570764840sCSdwU?vhost=entertainment[/quote]

Hi Margo, I used your suggestion to start on my April blocks too. I ended up using the same colors but different fabrics for each block. I cut out little swatches for each drawing and glued them to the drawing so it was easier to tell what went where.

Whew! those are tiny little squares! So far I've got 2 blocks done.

Thanks for your tutorials, they are very helpful.

Kathy

sewengel wrote:
That's not a dumb question at all, Sharon. Each month there are four different lay-outs, but they are all composed of HSTs and squares. You are welcome to use any layout and color combination that works for you! Because my blocks were all scrappy, and didn't follow Sue's color guides at all, I found that it worked best for me if I just made one block at a time by using the charts that I show in my tutorial.

http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/570764840sCSdwU?vhost=entertainment

I've posted my 6" April border blocks. I decided to make these for my 2nd feathered star to make a lap quilt. I didn't want to make that many triangles or press all of the seams open since I get better results if the seams are pressed in opposite directions so I eliminated all unnecessary seams by making flying geese or other style blocks whenever possible. I did press the final seams open and a few of the other seams. I can see why everyone is having trouble with these blocks. They do require careful sewing. I separated my 18 fabrics in groups of 3 to use for each month.

Margo -- this is probably a dumb question. Is each month of 4 stars different from the previous, or is just how the HST are set. When you made the scrappy quilt was every star different colors/fabrics, etc. I am debating about making every 4 stars the same colors to not get confused. Help

I don't know why I am struggling with this, but I am. Thanks

Sharon

Good to hear from you Mandy! Join us whenever you can!

Just dropped in to say I am still here and still plodding away at 2 BOM's, but I am sad to say 1 month behind. I have had to finish a baby quilt for my new nephew (born Feb 16 th), I am working on his Christening quilt too (hand quilted wholecloth), still working on the 2008 BOM (July is well on the way lol), and I am working on a First Communion dress for my dd on May 3. Hopefully once all the other things are out of the way I can catch up with you all. For now though I am completed on both my quilts up through the February border and am working on the March pinwheels when I can grab a moment. Glad to see all your guys wonderful work!!!

Mandy

mimi62 wrote:
Jimmie, all of the border stars are 6" stars divided into 36 one inch units. Each month there will be two different layouts, but if you want to work ahead and make your own, you are welcome! Just make sure that they will finish at 6" x 6".
Yes, the sawtooth stars will each get a strip of background fabric that measures 1" x 4" (finished size).

Margo, are all the other stars for the border stars, the same as the four for April with just the color changed? When we put the sawtooth stars on, do we add a strip of fabric so the stars will alternate back and forth? Thanks Jimmie[/u]

sueglass wrote:
Sueglass, nothing has changed for this month's pattern. I just went down and printed out the page with the 1" test square on it and sewed some HSTs. They all came out to exactly 1-1/2". Can you check your 1" test square again? It needs to measure EXACTLY 1". Make sure your printer scale is set to "none" when you print out the pages. Let me know if you figure out what the issue is.

OK, so is it just me or is anyone else having difficulty getting the paper pieced HST squares to come out at 1 1/2? I have very carefully sewn and cut right on the lines, and my squares are coming out at 1 3/8 every time. Printing of the paper is not the problem - the 1 inch test squares are measuring out to 1 inch, so it is printing out of the computer accurately. What's the deal? I had no problems with the pinwheels or the other stars. Did something change for this month's pattern?

That's the best way to make a quilt, Margo. I KNEW that this quilt of Sue's was more intricate than anything I've ever attempted, but I decided at the beginning that it would be MY quilt. I'm learning a LOT! I know I'll be happy with it no matter what. I think that when I'm photographing the blocks to put on Show and Tell, I see my mistakes and think the quilt police will be coming after me, even though I know better. At least I've learned enough as a quilter to know how the points and intersections are supposed to look, even if I can't quite achieve them.

I made my quilt as a wonderful learning experience, knowing it would not be subjected to the critical eye of a show judge. I enjoyed the process and the product without the stress of unrealistic expectations. Life is too short! I did the best I could do, and will live with the rest.

I'd be VERY happy to feel like I'm only going to lose one point. I see a few already that are probably going to get blunted when attached to the setting triangles. Still, that whole quilt will have a lot to look at, so I'm just hoping no one notices! I think the overall effect will be so astonishing due to Sue's design that the little "uh-oh" parts will just blend in and hide. I hope so, anyway!