Finished 2 Sept. BOMs

Very nice, both. :) I love cat fabric!

Nancy in NS

I did! They don't even want to lie flat that way. Parts want to go left and parts want to go right no matter what. I may have to beat them into submission! :)

Carole in Northwest GA - Retired and loving it! Homepage -

Thanks! Obviously, I love cat fabric, too, so I'm trying to use up some of my stash by making all my blocks with it.

Carole in Northwest GA - Retired and loving it! Homepage -

They are lovely, Carole - and don't look un-flat. Do you press each seam as you go, Carole? When there are a lot of small pieces, this is often the easiest way to do it. I'm sure you wouldn't want to go to the trouble of a pressing plan! but, if you have learned from this which way works best, do make a note of it somewhere - there are a lot of half-square triangles joining with plain squares which might have a good and a better way! . In message , Carole-Retired and Loving It writes

i've had persnickity blocks like that too. i didnt think which way to press some seams before i sew'd a new seam over it. my own inexperience at the time. sometimes its just too much fabric in those wee tiny seams to lay flat. so i snipped the seam at mid point, pressing half one way, half the other way. they all laid flat that way. might not be right but hey, it worked.

if that wont work, how about reducing seam width on one of the seam allowances per seam, not both, so one covers the other. hmmmm, probly doesnt make much sense but its early here and brain is only on first cuppa. hth, jeanne

those kittys are cute as could be, great points too. well done. jeanne

Lovely, Carole! :)

I may try that! (It does make sense.) I decided the best thing would be just to leave it alone for a while before I ruined it completely.

Carole in Northwest GA - Retired and loving it! Homepage -

Very nice, Carole. I haven't finished my August ones much less my September ones.

Stunning, Carole!! I always look fwd to seeing the cat fabrics!! On the subject of flat seams, sometimes pressing open will help (I know, heresy, but it does work).

Thanks. Yes, I do press as I go and I really do try to think ahead. Every thing on this block was nice and flat until the final two seams, joining the three rows. It does look okay from the top and I may be able to keep it flattened in the final quilting process.

Carole in Northwest GA - Retired and loving it! Homepage -

Thanks. I'm trying to keep on top of these so that I can use them to make my mom a quilt. Next project is the top row on Carol Doak's Home Sweet Home quilt! Between her group and this one I have plenty of projects!

Carole in Northwest GA - Retired and loving it! Homepage -

I know exactly what you mean. Since lately I've only had 1 day a week off work, I haven't done nearly as much quilting as I want. And with a possible move in the near future, there will be even less time for quilting.

I'm enjoying using the cat fabric. It's going to be an extremely colorful quilt!

I frequently press seams open when they don't want to lie flat, even if it's not exactly the right thing to do. But I can't even get these two seams flat when I try to press them open. I've never had this much trouble before!

Carole in Northwest GA - Retired and loving it! Homepage -

"Carole-Retired and Loving It" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

Only the Quilt Police complain about people who press seams in one manner or another. ;-)

You'd be surprised at the number of quilters who press seams open. Even ones who win prizes in big shows. Don't feel bad about pressing seams however it works best for you.

I have heard a hammer helps. No, I haven't tried it yet but think I will have to on one of my blocks.

Dee in Oz

Carole-Retired and Lov> On Wed, 6 Sep 2006 23:32:09 GMT, "TerriLee in WA" earthlink dot net> wrote: >

Ah yes! That is the most difficult moment. I agree with you. So disappointing. Maybe some pieces of fabric are thicker than you normally use? However, whatever caused the problem, perhaps you could have a go at the traditional tailoring trick of 'hammering'. In tailoring, as with so many sewing tasks, there are places where many layers come together, so they literally beat down the area to reduce its bulk. Only snag is - I can't remember what implement they use! (and don't do it on your table!) You could cover a hammer with a spare piece of fabric and try. Maybe Kate D knows what one is supposed to use? . In message , Carole-Retired and Loving It writes

No piece of fabric is thicker than usual. It's just that there are so many seams to contend with by the time the rows are joined. I have it pretty much "smashed" flat -- it just looks strange from the back because the seam goes "back and forth" instead of open, or all in one direction. I doubt it would ever be noticed in the finished quilt. It just irritated me!

Carole in Northwest GA - Retired and loving it! Homepage -