Yep! We're still here! If you have any questions just ask!

Jane

Here's the snow in Orange County - - -

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Jane

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I have a general question (it's a multi-part question): would you prefer the quilt blocks stay the same size from month to month? Would you rather the February/Valentines block be 8 1/2"?

Thanks!

Jane

On the 5th set but this is what I will be sending in for the swap, hope you like them.[ATTACH=CONFIG]454789[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]454790[/ATTACH]

Beautiful, Jaba!

Thank you! Was a good day, only had to take out a couple of seams to make those little middle 4 patches to match. They seem to just stand out like a sore thumb if they don't and it drives me nutso :)

Jaba those are beautiful! Love your choice of batiks

I'm happy to see different sizes for the blocks, but whatever is decided will still be fun.

Loving those batiks! Got my first set done today. Am going to have to get some more solid black fabric. The ones in my stash are mostly tone on tone blacks.

Snow day!!! I'm sewing, are you? :-)

No snow here, but it is cold though. I am staying in finishing up my brights D4P, then starting on the batiks D4P. Also finishing up the binding on my over and under batik quilt.

sign me up for 2 sets please. just PM'd you with my info thank you

Here is our update:

1. Billi – 2 sets
2. Createfourpaws – 6 sets
3. Cro - 3 sets
4. Deenatoo - 6 sets
5. Dragonfly Nana – 6 sets
6. Givio – 6 sets
7. Groovy Pieces - 6 sets
8. Hairquilt – 2 sets
9. Happylab – 6 sets
10. Jaba – 6 sets
11. Jojo4 – 6 sets
12. Khuxford – 3 sets
13. Marcialee 2 sets
14. Mom-6 - 6 sets
15. Nelco – 3 sets
16. Nurse Bonnie – 6 sets
17. Pbadder – 2 sets
18. Purplecat – 6 sets
19. Sewmany – 6 sets
20. Short an Sweet - 1 set
21. Suestraley - 3 sets
22. tubsfam – 3 sets
23. Tumdarra – 6 sets

Wow! This is going to be awesome! That's over 600 quilt blocks! I just might take some pics when I get everything in. That would be quite a site, huh?

Jane

Ladies, please give me some tips on how to keep this block straight. This is my first attempt and it's all goofy. How do I keep it from getting crooked looking? Maybe I just need to try a couple more and get some practice in. I'm a little frustrated cause this one turned out weird. I really want to join this swap but won't if I can't get the blocks looking
good. Suggestions or helpful tips? Thank you![ATTACH=CONFIG]455155[/ATTACH]

TLynn, what's wrong with it? It looks great! I want it!

And it's a beautiful batik! Do you mean the outside edge? Just square it up with your rotary cutter...

Some of mine have done the same thing...it's all in the iron. batiks have a tendency to do that and it's not a big deal when you sew the blocks together, the seams all straighten out like they're suppose to. Looks like they are exactly the right size. I would be happy receiving them!!

trying to upload picture of my first set and won't let me I even went and resized it smaller, but it still won't upload puts picture in block to upload and just won't do it. Any suggestions as what I can try to get picture uploaded here.

pbadder after you select your pic from your computer hit upload, when it's in the block click on upload and it should appear in this block where I'm typing now, then click post.

pbadder, The same happens for me. When I click on the upload button nothing happens. It was suggested by a QB member that I resize it smaller, so I did that too, but it still didn't upload...

That's what I did, but when I clicked the upload it does nothing so I couldn't do anything wouldn't come in block that you type in to even click post. Will try again tomorrow and see what happens.

just tried again and still nothing. When I click upload it does nothing and black screen behind upload box. Don't know if it is site or because I now have windows 8 on my computer. Pictures used to work before for me on this site. Don't know what else to do. Guess everyone will be surprised when they get their sets unless I can figure something else out to post pictures.

just tried again and still nothing. When I click upload it does nothing and keeps the upload box there and screen is totally blank behind it. Don't know if it is something with site or because I have Windows 8. That shouldn't matter though. I used to be able to post pictures on this site before I got Windows 8. Any other suggestions otherwise my sets will be a surprise unless I can figure out a new way to post my pictures.

I have Windows 8 too...

Thanks, givio and jaba. I cut out more blocks last night and will try more tonight. Yesterday was just one of those off days for me. I knocked over my christmas cactus and broke the pot and the blooms off, melted my spaghetti stirring stick thingie on my stove and then made this nutty block. Everything I touched turned to crap. Today will be a much better day!

TLynn, I've never done these blocks yet and thought I would try before I swapped. Okay so the middle is not perfect, It's not that noticeable. I'm going to try some today myself before I join. (pssst they told me there was not police here,)

Okay, I tried one block, never did these before, I cut accurate 5 inch squares. Made sure my seam allowance was 1/4. But my block is not 8.5. It's more like 8.25. What did I do wrong? Someone help. [ATTACH=CONFIG]455308[/ATTACH]

It could be in how you are pressing your seams, I know when I lose that 1/4 inch that is where my problems were or if the fabric is not pre-washed it could be shrinkage if you are using steam when pressing.

The only thing I can see is at the top where your black square is, you didn't ease the batik long enough to match the end even and then the same thing on the bottom left where the batik square is your middle strip doesn't come out even. That's your 1/8" your missing. When I cut my 5" squares I don't put the ruler right exactly on the fabric so the fabric is under the 5" line. I put that 5" line so I can see the edge of the fabric barely. Don't know if that makes sense, kind of like sewing a scant 1/4", I'm cutting a scant over the 5" square. I don't use the lines on my cutting mat either, I use the ruler to measure. If you are going by your mat and cutting every 5" with every cut it's going to get a tad smaller because of the cutting line.
I know you have to upload differently with Win8, can't help you there! I've been waiting for the next Windows to see if it's better before I buy a new one. Tried the Win8 and hated it..

Jaba and Createfourpaws, I did 2 more, moving my needle over each time. Finally on the 3rd one, I can get a 8.5 block., My next issue is I don't have a square big enough to square it off. Do you think anyone would mind if I don't square them off. I know I'm not going to get a good square using a 6inch wide ruler and my biggest square is 6.5. I would love to do two sets, but I want to check to see if it's okay not to square them off first.

Oh, for those having issue's. Try using Google. I've never have the issue's you all seem to be having with Windows.

It's fine with me, I always recheck the blocks I get anyway to make sure they are the size . Learned the hard way assuming everyone would make a 12 1/2" block on a swap and had a horrible time getting the quilt right.

[QUOTE=Gannyrosie;6498552]Okay, I tried one block, never did these before, I cut accurate 5 inch squares. Made sure my seam allowance was 1/4. But my block is not 8.5. It's more like 8.25. What did I do wrong? Someone help. [ATTACH=CONFIG]455308[/ATTACH][/Q

GannyRosie . . . This is what I've learned about my machine: I have the Smarter By Pfaff & can move my needle left or right some 12 (maybe more) needle positions, which is set at 7.0 for a scant 1/4" seam & I use 50wt thread. If you don't feel comfortable moving your needle, cut your squares at 5.25" or 5.5", sew the regular 1/4" seam, & when totally done with block cut/trim down to 8.5".

Hope this helps. . . GP:)

Grannierose, My husband doesn't want to use Google Chrome... I don't want to use Windows 8-- but there you have it. My husband thinks Windows 7 will pass into history like all the others and he's making me get used to Windows 8 so I can move into the future. :-)
Regarding the block size, the tutorial says to sew a scant 1/4" seam. If you are cutting 5" squares, you won't get the 8 1/2" block if you sew 1/4" seams. I believe it doesn't compute! :-) Either cut your squares bigger or sew your seams smaller to solve the problem.
I don't have such a large square up ruler either. But you can use a 4" x 15" ruler (or whatever size long ruler you have) and use the lines on your mat to square up blocks too. You just have to move the ruler to cut each side.
Anyone having trouble sewing this pattern might like to think twice about the February Valentine swap. I made a practice block for that swap (using the tutorial for the D4P with a twist pattern) and found that with all the cuts and seams on the diagonal, sewing and ironing can be tricky because of all the bias edges! My block was more wavy than I liked.
Just a reminder... everyone is welcome, any skill level! :-) Have fun!

TLynn, So how did your morning go? :-) Sorry to hear about your Christmas cactus! We take in our potted geraniums from the yard every year and nurture them indoors so they are blooming again for Christmas. It's so sweet to have flowers in the house. :-)
We have another snow day today. I hope the place I work opens tomorrow...

Aw, things are going much better today than yesterday! Thanks for asking. I repotted the cactus so now it has room to grow. I love flowers! We have snow on the ground but none in the air - just bitterly cold here.

[QUOTE=Groovy Pieces;6498901]I did two more, moving the needle for everyone, now I have it where I can square up to 8.5. I received a flyer in the mail yesterday (just noticed) they have their tools at a discount. I guess I'll be off tomorrow (warmer) and will get a bigger square to square them off. Ya'll have been so helpful, thanks to all who gave me advise.

Hi everyone, I decided to try another way to upload my block. I went to albums and started a new one and guess what it let me put the picture of the block for my first set. You are all welcome to go and take a peek. That is where I will be putting my photos. album name Disappearing 4 Patch Blocks made. Check it out and let me know what you think.

pbadder, I went to your album and it is there but no pics in it....says it's empty.

I put it back in forgot to save changes last time. try again and let me know what you think thanks