Well, Thanks a million, Nancy. I tried what you suggested, and I guess that you can tell I'm out of my comfort zone now. It worked! Guess I should read the manual that came with the machine. .... I didn't " 'probably already know this, or "try this" '. Which is one reason why I love this forum and all the sharing and learning that goes on, and we get pushed beyond our level. I think it may be at at least another decade until I can produce 'an artistic statement' as Rosemary told us about!
Thanks to Lois, I'm in the uncomfortable zone of FMQ, but I imagine, like most things, it improves with practice, practice, practice. At least I took the jump!

Here is the link to the photos that Lois posted: [url]forum/the-classrooms-discussions-and-questions/5692-margos-assorted-videos[/url]

Rosemary's technique works great IF you don't accidently clip through the stitches! Ask me how I know!

Rosemary, Thanks! I'm glad I waited...I'll have to do this soon and I'll try your way.

That's great thanks , now to be brave and do it.

Part 2

Here are the backs of the 4 qst's showing the seams pressed to the dark side, and now they will snug up easily together when sewn.
This is what the reverse looks like when all stitched together
And this is the front...{!-- ia0 -->CIMG6711.JPG{!-- ia0 -->
and all done without a pin in sight

loise98 wrote: Excellent - here is an add on to joining up qst's like we have been doing. I noticed that if you have both of the fabrics pressed to the darker side, then it was much easier to snug the seam joins up together and have a nice neat centre crossing. However when you get to the second pressing of the seams as Margo describes yes your centre is good, but it causes problems when joining the blocks together, because some of the seams are pressed to the pale side.

Since I had a few (ahem) spare hst's, I made up a sample to show (yet) another way of dealing with bulk.
So starting where Lois's photos left off
at this point you need to be brave and cut into the seam allowance of the visible dark seams either side of the centre twirl, up to, but not including the stitching line!
Then press the seam allowance over the dark fabric.{!-- ia0 -->CIMG6706.JPG{!-- ia0 --> then repeat this for the other side of the twirl and on the other 3 squares....to be continued

loise98 wrote:

Rosemary, This information has now been placed with the rest of Margo's posts.

Marianne-is-sewing wrote: if you go here [url]forum/the-classrooms-discussions-and-questions/5636-laura-nownes[/url] you can see my range of fabrics, for the qst's I've use the darkest red and the 5th darkest red.

By the way, one thing to aim for is consistancy, whether slightly small or large, is not so bad as long as they are all the same. Also the front measurements are far more important than the seam allowances - in my book at least.

Renata wrote:
Renata, I thought I had followed Margo's instructions all the way yesterday but still had problems. Tried again today with my own take on it and only had to cut into 2 SAs like I do when including a pocket in a seam. I have taken photos of the back of the blocks so I can see what I have done. I am obviously not ready for this block yet but to para-phrase tomorrow is a new day and will try again. I still have more squares cut; unfortunately they are only 4 1/4" so I might end up with 4 more blocks that are on the small side but Hey-Ho I am learning (I think ) OFf to cook dinner now.
Marianne

Marianne, go down in this thread to the one Margo wrote to me telling me how to do just what you asked about. If you follow Margo's instructions faithfully while looking at the pictures Lois subsequently posted, you should have no problem doing exactly what Annis explained in her most recent post. Hope this makes sense...

ajclapp wrote: Just finished my second lot and they are better but still leaves a lot to be desired. When you say you clip the seam in the middle after the first seam do you mean in the middle of the individual hour glass units or already at the HST stage?
TIA
Marianne

Too many posts this morning to reply but skimmed over them. I always add 1-1/2" to the finished block size instead of the exact 1-1/4" when making quarter-square triangles. I should have mentioned this in an earlier post. And I usually piece them similar to the way Rosemary did unless I need lots of them from the same fabric. The only difference is I clip the seam in the middle after sewing the first seams so I can twirl the seams when pressing with one half going to the dark and the other half going to the light. Then when doing the second set of seams I can twirl the seams again and they will all be going in the same direction.

PosyP wrote:
Rosemary, I am not using a 1/4" foot but an ordinary foot and have drawn lines in front of the needle according to the measurements on my ruler like Laura showed for the HSTs. I am now about to sew together the second batch where I made sure the point of the squares where slightly inside the line on the paper. They look as if they are slightly more accurate than the last lot.
Next batch will be made with the SAs pressed open to see if that is what makes the difference.
Did you use 2 different red fabrics for yours. It looks like it on my screen but not entirely sure. Your quilt will have a very fresh look to it when finished.
Marianne

Marianne-is-sewing wrote: Glad to be of help. The 4 1/4" measurement seems to be an exact size, with no extra fudge room for generous seams. As an aside, you have checked how wide your 1/4" foot actually stitches for your lining up. If in doubt I would go for a scant/bare 1/4" seam, but it is always a case of getting to know your set-up