QultingaddictUK

It's out early! http://quiltville.blogspot.co.uk/201...on-part-5.html

mawluv

So glad that she's given us an easy one this week!! It will give everyone a chance to catch up or just relax and take a deep breath!! Thanks Bonnie!!!!

huskyquilter

Well, I'm a little behind y'all, but I finally finished step 1, and am going to start step two, three, four and five tonight. I'm going to do one of each of all the steps tonight and then get busy on step 2. I don't have a stash of scraps yet, so I ordered batiks for this one. The 'black' is more navy than I expected, but I really love my fabrics either way. Here is a pic of the fabrics I'm using and my step one completed block. I got a great pressing tip while visiting a friend this last weekend and most of my blocks ended up lining up very well. I'm always a little nervous when I unfold them and press to see if they line up. Also, I was planning on using the neutral in the picture, but I'm thinking I might just use a solid white or cream. What do you guys think? Should I go with the solid when I start step two tonight, or the batik neutral I bought?

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sewbizgirl

Good morning! I'm a little disappointed that today's clue is so short! Only 29 simple blocks to make... less if you are not making the full size. And then a whole week to wait for the next clue.... Funny she started off by showing us the room with so much green, aqua, black and white, and then our blocks are primarily YELLOW. Ha! Well at least I get to use up some more of my 'candy' squares collection-- for the aquas. Keepin' it scrappy!

sewbizgirl

Love your batiks, huskyquilter! Your call on whether to use the neutral batik or not... either would work and be pretty!

Hey, what was the pretting tip you learned? Please share it!

joe'smom

huskyquilter, those fabrics are gorgeous!! I'm not loving the black in the quilt, and I think your navy looks beautiful. I favor white with brights, myself (but that neutral is very nice, too).

huskyquilter

Well, it's probably rather basic, but I didn't realize that there was such a difference between pressing and ironing. You want to avoid using steam because it overstretches the fabric and causes all sorts of problems. I also was way over doing it on the ironing. Just a simple, super quick press to set the seam, then flip open the block and a quick press down. No steam needed. Also was turned on to a very helpful product called the steady betty (you can order it from amazon) that has a little friction and anchors the fabric as you press so it doesn't move and stretch.

SunlitenSmiles

Love your fabrics, just the way they are, HuskyQuilter.

joe'smom

Thanks, quiltingaddictUK! I found the part 5 clue by googling (wonder why it isn't showing up for me on the regular page?).

huskyquilter

joe'smom, I was kind of thinking the same thing about the white, I think it would offset the batiks very nicely. They are all so bright and busy pattern-wise I thought some white might be a nice break.