Hiya!!!

well I have floated about these forums for a few days and decided to introduce myself as I have a conundrum that im hoping someone here can help with....

Im a competent stitcher who avoided quilts for many years. Finally decided to give them a go.

So I used a bunch of old jeans and made a great snuggle lap quilt (rail blocks quilted in the ditch) and then tried a single size "stretched stars" quilt (was still finishing off the FMQ at 10:30pm on christmas eve!) for hubby's christmas. They turned out great, and now I am officially hooked.

So my next project is using "tumbling blocks" as a central feature on a single size bed quilt. I want to use the blocks to form a diamond-ish shape in the centre of the quilt on a plain cream background.

So now for my conundrum. Do I want to patch in the diamond? or applique it? If I applique it, what is the best method to use?



Hmm. have just realised this is an intro thread and I havent really told you much about me....
im female, twenty-mumblemumble years old, married and I teach science at a local high school, I have no kids, 4 cats and I will try any kind of craft... except quilling... because I get paper cuts.

Hello and welcome from Argentina! Hope someone in here, (more expert than me) will soon help you. :D

Welcome from Kentucky! Wish I could help with the questions...Somebody will!

Welcome from Ohio, haven't tried the tumblin block yet so I can't help but I know someone will.

Hello and welcome from Ontario. I haven't done tumbling blocks yet so I am no help with your question.

Hello and welcome for NC. Applique techniques are user defined...what's easy for me may not be for you. I suggest trying several to find the one that you are comfortable with. You can search here on the board (top of page) for tips and tutorials. Enjoy!

No help either, but I want to welcome you!
I'd love to be twentymumblemumble again !! :D:D:D
Oh- I have 1 more cat than you! :D:D:D:D:D

welcolme may your stash always have what you need[sorry no help with your ?]

one more cat than me? eep... i find 4 a handfull

English paper piecing is a popular method to create tumbling blocks. You could also do this design on the machine. Just Google Tumbling Blocks and you will find lots of ways to make it.
Good luck, and welcome from Arkansas!

Hi and welcome from the sunny state of Florida!!
I haven't tried the Tumbling Blocks yet either, but I am a CAT LOVER!!!

Welcome from Michigan.

Welcome from another Englander.. I have just done tumbling blocks, I did as K9dencer suggested. If you can get the book Sampler Quilt by Lynne Edwards from the library the pattern is in there.

Hello, and welcome from Idaho!
I strip piece my tumbling blocks.

Welcome from Arkansas! Sorry I can't help with the diamond patch question.

Hello from Western Maryland !!

Welcome from Florida! Haven't done that one yet.

Welcome from Ireland

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!

welcome!

Hi and welcome from Michigan!

Welcome from New Hampshire. I am sure you will find the info you are looking for.

You will have better results paper piecing Tumbling Blocks. I tried hand sewing them together and they got all askew. Wish I had known about paper piecing 50 years ago.
Keep in touch with us all and ask questions. Learn something new every day.

Carol J. inWisconsin

Welcome to you from Maine. Looking forward to visiting your wonderful country in April. Loved it when I was there last May. I can't help with your question as I have so many questions of my own. I am not twenty............something, haven't seen that for awhile but just starting on the adventure of quilting. When you have a minute read my intro story to how I started in quilting. Welcome, welcome.

Love you avatar, soooo cute. I used live in NH, born and brought up there. Colleged with a friend from Londonderry.

HI BenLinz, Nice to have you here! I think I would applique the pieced area onto the background. Being a lover of handsewing, I reccomend needle turn applique. I admire your courage in forging ahead into uncharted territory!
Karen in La.

welcome from southeast Texas

Greetings and welcome from the US! There are lots of helpful people here. Good luck on your new venture!

dont know how to approach the tumbling blocks to a star, all I can say is I was twentymumblellllll about 60 years ago.lol pics please when you get it done.

Welcome BenLinz from another Brit --this is such a helpful site.
I have only tried tumbling blocks twice and I appliqued them,it was fairly easy

Tumbling blocks seems like a hard quilt to make. English piecing would be easier, I'm sure, than just plain piecing. All those Y-seams. Check out as many tutorials as you can.

Welcome from California, I was born in Northhamptonshire, have lots and lots of family still there.

Another Arkansas says 'hey'. Never done a tumbling block but always wanted to. Welcome to the board.

Hi and welcome from New York. I haven't tried that block yet, sure someone here can help. Good Luck.

Hello and Welcome to the board :D:D:D

Hi - Welcome from MN. I just finished a tumbling block and I did strip piecing. It wasn't to bad but had to keep my wits about me so that I didn't sew it the wrong way. Good luck and again - Welcome!
Rita

welcome from so mo

Hello and welcome from Boston, Ma in the USA

Hello and welcome from West Virginia.

Draw the design for the center onto muslin and use that, and a tutorial for paper piecing. Do not cut muslin to finished size until piecing is completed. Leave an inch or more around the edges for handling. Use sizing on the muslin first. Clear as mud? I hope you find a method that works for you. Welcome aboard.