On the EPP and silk versus cotton, the silk I have used is the Gutermann from Joanns and the cotton is Aurifil 50/2 The cotton thread actually looks finer (thinner) than the silk so I have mostly used the cotton. I am very new at EPP so I have not seen how well one holds up over the other...would love to hear from more experienced EPPers...I won't name any names but, hexnut are you out there?

I made 3 more blocks this week. Instead of using the term "redo", I am going with "oldies but goodies". He he.

This weeks "oldies but goodies": B1 (reverse applique), A5 (paper pieced) and C1 (paper pieced).

I love paper piecing when I can piece the whole block in one piece (C1 for example). In the past, I got frustrated when I had to put seams together (A5 for example) because after all was said and done, the block would be too small. I was printing "separate sections". What's the point of sewing on the line when you loose too much in the seam allowance, making the block too small?!?!? I was losing about .05" at every section (seam line) that needed to be joined together.

And then...I thought, "What if I print the pattern larger when I have sections that need to be pieced?" Hummmm.

For A5, it was pieced in 3 columns, giving me 3 sections that needed to be sewn together, or 2 seam lines (0.05" x 2 = .1")

I printed the pattern 4.5" (length) x 4.6" (width: 4.5" +.1" = 4.6"). Pieced and pinned like heck (can't over estimate the power of pinning the heck out of it) and voila! My paper pieced block finished at 4.5" x 4.5"!!! Victory at last!!!

Have a great new DJ week all. :)

Thanks Nancy. I've been busy trying to figure out the software program and now my printers playing up but once this is all sorted I will post photos. I've only made eight blocks so far but am hooked!

Recently I went to an appliqué technics class and was introduced to Bottom Line. I bought a donut which is great as it gives me so many different colours. There were a number of embroiders and experienced appliquers at the class and I noticed they bought the donuts too.

You just started and "only made eight blocks so far"??? Yeah you're hooked! :)

Love that Bottom Line stuff too!

I've set up a small group and we meet once a month and pull four blocks out of a hat to make for the next month. Of course most of us have made more. We are also making an appliqué block when we meet. Hostess gets to choose the block. This months is I -5 a real doozy by the look of it. Our next meeting will be our second.

Fraew, what great blocks! I try to make my outside pieces larger, but it never occurred to me to enlarge the pattern and it really makes sense. I'm not much of a mathematician, so I'm not sure I understand why to make only the width a little larger and not both the width and the length, but I'm definitely going to try it on my next paperpieced block. I've been using the freezer paper method of paperpiecing lately and that has helped with the size since you don't sew through the lines, but I think your method combined with the freezer paper method will make a big difference.

Gailkv, I'm so glad you're joining us. I'm looking forward to seeing some of your blocks. Are you using civil war fabrics?

@katybob: I have drawn a crude picture. Hope it helps. When I printed my pattern, I selected print "separate sections" so I pieced 3 sections and put them together. I was losing 0.05" at every section joining...in this case the width. I didn't have sections to put together in the length so I didn't lose anything in the length.

I am suggesting that anytime I paper piece, I will add 0.05" to the width/length (wherever it is needed) for each seam where sections are joined together.

Your blocks are beautiful Fraew!

Got it, Fraew. I'm going to enlarge my next paperpieced block.