ReeMKT

I watching how to do Attic Window Quilt & I think I have the measurements for the strips (2 1/2") except I wasn't sure what the black strip or the sash strip size was, maybe 1 1/2". I'm learning & thought this may be an easy one. Thank you

Tartan

I think Jenny Doan from the Missouri Star Quilt Co. has a video tutorial on Attic Window on YouTube.

Iceblossom

ReeMKT, depending on how you are making the blocks it can be easy. Many people feel the version with the Y or "set-in" seam to be difficult, but get around that by making a half-square triangle.

The nice thing about quilting is we get to do whatever we want! In my current project I cut the strips for the attic window at 2" for a 1.5" finish, and after some debate decided to keep the sashing the same width. In my current case, my blocks are actually rectangles and I felt it worked best for them.

Here's a picture of the blocks I'm using with the Y seam technique, which I would not recommend for a beginner. My theme for the quilt is travel and the picture fabrics are actual postcard sized.

Edit: I will say that if you have a sewing background, Y-seams aren't all that bad. And if you do a whole quilt of them, well -- you will be well practiced by the time you are done!

ReeMKT

This was the one I was watching, unless I missed it, I don't think she mentioned the size there.

ReeMKT

Yes I'm not too sure I can do that seam but I will try it, I have a feeling my seams will not lay as flat as yours looks.

Blackberry

She doesn't mention the size of the black strip but I called the shop and was informed that the black strip is 1 1/2 inches. I haven't started my attic windows yet but I am using the same deer picture that Jenny used.

Iceblossom

So I haven't gone through the video and I don't know what they say but here's a tip or two.

I find I get better results sewing on rectangles and then trimming the points after sewing. I've tried cutting the points and while that does work, make sure you cut them all the correct direction!

You can just sew all the way to the edge on one piece, and then take out the last couple of stitches. I used to do that when my vision was better. Now I just make sure to stop at that 1/4" seam allowance. With my current modern machine, the foot has lovely markings just for that sort of thing (and oh my goodness! I love the thread cutter), my old vintage machine I used up until November when I was gifted this one wasn't so clearly marked. I mostly guessed but you could put down a horizontal strip of painter's tape (avoid the feed dogs!) if you need to.

Some people are able to pivot the second seam and sew the diagonal, I don't do that so well, so I stop at the quarter-inch again on the second seam, cut the block off the sewing machine, and fold and pin the blocks before stitching the diagonal. You might want to draw the stitching line if you try that, I am able to use the folded block as a guide and I was using fairly narrow strips.

I got good on the Y-seams about 25+ years ago when I made the Colorado Star Log Cabin (by Judy Martin) and extended the star shapes out into the border. I had to make a bunch of star points as Y seams to 1.5-2" blocks. Seems like it was a hundred or more -- but that might just be memory playing tricks.

After that I never feared them again! You can do it but try a couple of samples first on fabric you don't care about/isn't needed for your project.

Edit/PS: If you use print fabrics instead of solids, the seams will pretty much disappear if you make the half-square instead of the Y-seam.

ReeMKT

Thank you Blackberry (never thought to call them), & great tip Iceblossom. I plan to use a dinosaurs panel for my grandson but I will practice on other materials first. I have a very simple sewing machine, nothing fancy, maybe one day.

Joset

i just finished one. the one strip is 2 1/2 and the black and is 1 1/2 .

Diane K M

If you watch Jenny Doan's you tube very close, it is printed as to the size. She also explains how to do the y-seam, which is a square sewn on and cut in half. I have made two of the deer panels with no trouble at all. Might add those were my first attic windows. Don't make it any harder than it is. I cut all of each color needed first. Good luck