I have posted a sample of the template method for sashing Month I in case someone may find it helpful.

Connie,

I agree. Starch is necessary.

Carol

I have been reading Debra Wagner's Striplate Piecing book, and have come to the conclusion that starch is the key to the whole process. To quote: "On average, the fabrics I used...were starched to the stiffness of typing paper." She uses 3-4 coats of starch on her fabrics. "I am convinced that simply starching the fabric can double your piecing skills."

My take is that a foundation is needed for these detailed strips/blocks. It can either be an external skeleton like with the paper or freezer paper techniques, or an internal skeleton of heavy starch. With 3-4 coats of starch used the fabric doesn't stretch or wiggle, and the blocking becomes more of a double check for accuracy, rather than beating the fabric into submission.

I intended to try the Striplate technique again this month, but after starting with the freezer paper method I really got into the groove,and so kept going. It's slow, but mindless, and I really like the zen-like quality of the repetition. I may take some scrap fabric, starch the fool out of it, and piece one strip so I can report back to the group!

Rita,

I know a video on this technique would have definitely been a help. I watched the Fons and Porter dvds repeatedly while I constructed John Flynn's double wedding ring quilt. It was a difficult technique for me to get my head around. The step by step really helped.

Carol

Reetzbobeetz wrote:
Rita, for what it's worth, I did try the techniqiue, but my units were definitely in need of blocking (as instructed) at the end, and they never did lie as flat as the ones that I had paper pieced, so I was just not happy with the effort of the technique. Besides that it took me a LOT longer to do each unit.

I did make a PDF supplement with tips for using the technique, and I'm still trying to get that posted on the website. I'll let you know when it's up.

That's interesting Carol. I had just been wondering if Sue and Pat's method would be more economical with fabric and it sounds like it is. In a way I am regretting that I didn't take the time to learn that method as it would be another tool in my belt. I know a video would have helped me get there a lot quicker.

Thanks so much for sharing your method Carol!

I was finally able to get the required units of orange and turquoise units. I took the whole fabric and folded it in half selvage to selvage and cut down the center. Then I put the pieces both together with the both tops facing up. created the right angle on the fabric to be cut and cut out 2 3/4 inch units (instead of 2 1/2 inch units) and then sewed those strips together. This gave me enough space to mark the units with enough space in between to avoid confusion. I also not only marked the dots but also took the time to connect the dots before cutting out the units. As this work is so precise, sewing on the line between the dots made the precision easy. I am very happy to learn this method because the book Striplate Piecing referenced in the directions goes from two strip templates up to four strip templates which really simplifies the construction of complex designs economically. I did go to my local quilt shop and get orange and turquoise fabric and added extra fabric from the amount prescribed. I ruined a lot of fabric this first month before I go up to speed. I still think I will continue to add the extra 1/4 inch to each strip because I am more comfortable with a little more space to mark the templates.

Carol