For those of you who haven't started LS1 yet (week of March 3), check out Aunt Reen's website. Look, Ma, no Y seams!
http://auntreensquilts.blogspot.com/...1_archive.html
If the link doesn't work, it's in her Sept. 1, 2012 blog.

Gus, I remember the top of BR6 was tricky and mine looks pretty wonky even though when I lay a ruler on it, it's straight. I confess that this is one of the blocks that I decided what's done is done!

So Gus, can you explain the difference between applique and reverse applique? I've used both and don't really have anything against reverse, although people have asked me (with nose turned up in fear/disgust!) why I would use reverse. I do remember using it with a pattern and being able to center the outside over a motif on the center fabric. I do remember being worried that the outside fabric would fray, especially along tight curves etc. So is there a particular reason/benefit to using one over the other?

Great blocks, Nancy and Gus. Maybe we can all get moving along now!:)

Oh Gus, BTW, if you're going to attempt to finish by your quild's show, how have you thought about quilting DJ?

OOOOOHHHH Cindy! :eek: you've asked me that very most dreaded question..... I really really believe that Janey deserves hand quilting. Having said that, some of the most striking quilting I've ever seen on her was done by machine. Taking a handquilting class [3hrs only] on the evening of March 13 from Andi Perejda who is supposed to be real good [perhaps I should pass Janey on to her?] I dont pretend to ever be a master at either quilting process but want this quilt to be made totally by me. so the decision continues! I have toyed with the idea of simply quilting in the ditch [by hand] and adding more intricate quilting after the show. Maybe even that amount of quilting by hand will take too long. So I've put off the decision until I find out how much I have done close to showtime.... maybe I will simply hang the top?

Your other reverse vs regular applique... dont have an official answer [except to have those people put their noses elsewhere ...] Sometimes you adjust the way you do it to add dimension/depth. If you needleturn without the use of spray starching your applique piece on the background you get a rounder edge so a diamond puffs on the background. Starch use will give it a stiffer look on top, then reverse over a diamond background will not have as puffy an appearance.

I took a course from David Taylor once - if you ever have the chance it is a must! He first teaches appliqueing the "yin and yang" he despises inner curve and points. So he teaches that for every 'outer/convex curve' there is a matching 'inner/concave curve' When you mark where the curves change and clip carefully there, you can avoid the inner curves which are much more likely to fray. He made us look carefully at the yin and yang symbol - for every outer curve there is a matching opposing inner curve. So we started our class with two pieces of fabric - red and black. He had us trace the yin and yang - mark the intersection at the middle and then turn under just the convex outer curves, appliqueing them 'on top' of the other part. When you reached the middle, the bottom fabric became the top and you continued your applique - once more from the top, not reverse, so you were handling an outer curve. This method allows you to get the most pointy narrow points at the end because you only have to turn under one side of each color to the middle of the entire unit. With outer points, getting that tip is tricky.

I dont know if this helps??? I decide when I look at the block Jane made and try to duplicate her method - I'm positive I'm not always right!
Gus

Here are the latest additions to my DJ.
J11, J13, L10, LS2, LS3, LS6. More to follow on next post.
I am beginning to get really excited now with one more block - six tri's and one more corner kite to do!!!
Just going to my local quilt group this evening - so no sewing for me tonight.
Dot.

Here is the rest LS13, M3, M6, RS2, RS13.
Have a good evening.

Wow, Dotty, those are terrific blocks -- and you're so close! M3 looks like it's going to be difficult, although Gus has it listed on the schedule as a beginner's block. Was it?

Nope... M3 = red = danger :shock: advanced. I went back to the first page. I got the difficulty ranking from Brenda's software.

Dotty - they are so fantastic!! and I'm really glad to see so many of us posting again
Gus

Oops, you're right, Gus! I must have been looking at M1 on the schedule.

Just finished I-11. I appliqued the diamonds to the individual squares last night and added the center square sections [a 2 1/2" square of background cut diagonally twice] this morning. Before adding the background triangles to the center, I squared the four blocks by placing the diagonal of my ruler over the center corners of the diamond and lining the inner corner up with the 1" mark. I then cut the diamond blocks 2 3/4" [so that the unfinished DJ bock would measure 5" when I put them together]. Next, I cut off the inner corners so that it would be easier to line up with the background triangles. I lined up the diagonal line on my ruler with the bottom edge of the block and the other edge with the dot by the "1" - 3/4"mark on the top edge. I took a picture so you can see... but BEWARE :(... do as I say, not as I did.... you will see I cut the one on the right the wrong direction, so cut parallel to the diamond... ahem... and I was so proud of the way I had sewn on the diamonds! Sometimes God reminds you gently you are not perfect - and sometimes you are hit with a 2x4!
I was able to match the corner of the fabric rather than have to sew a whole new diamond section... thanks to that little white line in the pattern.
keep up the sewing gals! maybe we can catch up with Dotty :)
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wow that white looks bright! It actually has a little print in it :)
should have corrected brightness
Gus