Let us say that you have finally finished all the blocks and arranged them until you're pleased. There are 80 blocks. They are arranged 8 across and ten down. Going across, they are called "rows". Going down they are called "columns". Are you with me here? Okay. You safety pin their names on. The top, left block is A-1 and across the row through A-8. The second row is B-1 through B-8. And on down. Now - here's what I believe Marti Michell suggests, and it works for the beginner, challenged or downright dippy quilter: You think sewing A-1 to A-2 etc, stitching all the rows together would be the next step. Nope! That's the hard way. Thinking of stitching A-1 to B-1, creating long columns would work? Sure, but that's the hard way too. Marti recommends making pairs, bigger pairs, and even bigger pairs. A-1 to A-2, B-1 to B-2, C-1 to C-2 etc. Then, the A-1 + A-2 pair is sewn to the B-1 + B-2 pair. Sewing "pairs" gives you an easy opportunity to do whatever pulling, pushing and easing necessary to make the blocks fit together perfectly. If, instead, you make long rows or columns, is it very likely that they will develop a mind of their own and distort. And, sewing one long row to another requires you to do lots of matching This works so much better for me. I hope you'll try it. One more thing - When picking up the pairs to be stitched together, lay one face down on top of the other and safety pin them together at the edge that is to be sewn together. Firmly. Those rascals do love to turn and spin while you are walking from the layout to the SM. Trust me. Polly
- posted
20 years ago