Guess I extended the invitation for this past Sunday on too short a notice. We'll try again on the 1st.
As always, we can - and i'm sure we will - talk about all sorts of things this afternoon. as the chat goes along, though, i'll be posting photographs of the steps i take to machine stitch hexagons for the Grandmother's Garden. (nooooo ... you won't have to guess what they're about. i'll explain them, too. LOL)
The attached file does not include those photographs. it does include a supplies list and some templates. if you have all your patches ready by the time chat starts, you might have a finished block before it's over. assuming, of course, that you don't have toooooo far to run back and forth between your computer and your sewing machine.
my method is not unique and probably not the fastest because i rely on printed (or drawn) seam allowances. that means extra prep time beyond just cutting the hexagons. in the end, though, it's the fastest method for me. not having to worry so much about whether or not i'm sewing in the right place saves me ooooooodles of time. every other method i've tried so far takes me longer than it does to just stitch the stinkin' things by hand.
if you use them all, you'll end up with a 12-" square block, give or take a bit. that will depend on:
:?: the accuracy of the templates - which i haven't tested so i won't guarantee they're 100% exactly the right size
:?: whether or not you remember to turn off the page scaling when you print what you need
:?: how accurately you cut your patches and - if you're making them by hand instead of printing them - how accurately the seam allowances are drawn onto the backs of the patches
:?: will we hit that ever-elusive perfect 1/4" seam?
There are some rules. You are required to follow these rules to the letter if you want to participate in this part of the chat. They are:
1. RELAX!!!!!
2. DON'T OBSESS OVER WHETHER OR NOT EVERYTHING COMES OUT PRECISE AND PERFECT. THIS IS A PRACTICE BLOCK. IF IT'S TOO SMALL BUT OTHERWISE NICE ENOUGH TO USE, JUST ADD STRIPS TO THE OUTSIDE TO MAKE IT THE SIZE YOU WANT. IF IT'S TOO BIG, JUST CUT IT BACK TO THE SIZE YOU WANT.
3. RELAX!!!!!
4. HAVE FUN!!!!!
If you break any one of the above rules, the hem of your skirt will get stuck in your pantyhose or undies the next time you're someplace reeeelllly important and public. if you break more than one, you will either belch or something worse at the next most-worst-possible moment. if you break all four rules, you will not be able to find the most important fabric for your next project.
:shock: :mrgreen: 8) :wink:
Chat starts at 2, USA Eastern Time. Remember ... you don't have to play with us in Grandmother's Garden if you don't want to. It will be a regular chat, too, with some "class" thrown in as an extra. (For once i can say i'll have some class. WOOHOO!!! LOL)
We always find lots of different things to talk about. Just bring along your favorite beverage, maybe a snack, and DEFINITELY your sense of humor. :P