The Sewing Place
The Emporia => Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside => Block of the Month 2020 => Topic started by: Iminei on January 29, 2020, 11:54:52 AM
-
As a prelude to A New Year of BOMs here is a brief guide to the Basic Basics you need to enter the Darkside of P&Q.
Equipment:
You will need a Cutting mat, a Rotary Cutter and a P&Q Ruler.
Cutting Mats ...
I recommend an A2 ... 24" x 18" cutting mat.
You will be able to cut across the whole Width of Fabric on this mat.
It is also useful to have a smaller mat, an 18" x 12" is ideal, which you can turn on your table.
This avoids moving your blocks when cutting or squaring up.
Cutting mats can be expensive ... however Hobbycraft (https://photos.app.goo.gl/dNU9mLRq2oU9uvoG9) do an extensive range of very competitively priced mats ... in the BOYS Section of their stores, the Model Making bit.
If you go to the Sewing Section, or GIRLS bit, you will be paying almost double the price for an identical mat with the one exception in that they have added the word Trimits to the mat ... I kid you not!
If however you want a PINK cutting mat ... you are going to have to pay for the privilege !!!
Rotary cutters ...
these can also be expensive ...
Hobbycraft (https://photos.app.goo.gl/dNU9mLRq2oU9uvoG9) also do Rotary Cutters (RC's) in their BOYS section at half the price of the ones in the girls!
These can be an excellent buy to find out if you can get on with an RC but generally with RC's and blades you get what you pay for ... Again if you want a PINK one you are going to have to pay for it!
Rulers ...
You can get all sorts of Rulers ...
In my opinion I would say that Omnigrid and Omnigrip are amongst the best.
The OmniGrid rulers have yellow marking which show up on most fabrics but will need sandpaper dots or another nonslip material (http://softexpressions.com/software/notions/FabGrab.php) attached to the underside ....
Whereas OmniGrip rulers have almost fluorescent Lime markings and the nonslip element is included in them .... Genius!
I would steer clear of any rulers with black, grey or red markings.
My first ruler was a 12 1/2" Sew Easy ruler with red markings and I simply couldn't see them against the fabric.
I wouldadvise that the two most important rulers to get are a 24" x 6" and a 12 1/2" square
The first can be used to cut strips from your width of fabric (WOF)
and the latter is used for cutting and squaring up blocks
Then I would recommend a 12" x 6" ruler which is less unwieldy to use during piecing than the 24" x 6"
and lastly a 6 1/2" square ruler.
Additional needs maybe be a ....
1/4" presser foot ....
Darksiders piece most of their blocks using a quarter inch seam and its useful to have a dedicated 1/4" presser foot (https://www.sewingmachinesales.co.uk/sewingmachineparts/feet/janome-seam-foot.html) to attach to your machine. This has a thin guide that runs along the edge of the material ensuring you sew a consistent 1/4" from the edge of the fabric.
You do not necessarily need one of these; you can place some tape on your machine bed 1/4" from the needle and guide your fabric edge along that or place a slightly raised stack of post it notes on the machine bed in the correct position and run the fabric alongside those as a guide ... As long as your seams are consistent you should be ok.
Pins can be useful ...
Most Darksiders use flowerhead (https://www.cottonpatch.co.uk/acatalog/Flower-Head-Pins.html)pins ...
These are longer and thinner than dressmaking pins and do need replacing at times as they are liable to bend and will melt if a hot iron goes over them. Personally I find them extremely useful as A) I can see the damn things on the table and the floor, and when on the floor the brightly coloured flowerhead stops them disappearing into the cracks of the parquet.
Fabric ...
Generally Darksiders now use 100% cotton fabrics ... Of course any fabrics can be used but you have to bear in mind weight, the way they behave and whether they have an artificial element that would melt under the Hot irons that quilters use to press the blocks.
* * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * *
As ever, with links to my Picasa albums ...
click on an individual pic and if there is no description to the right of your screen, click on the i icon for info.
So these I think are the Basic Basics that you need to start your voyage into the Darkside ...
But this is only MY opinion, things I have discovered on my journey since I've started out.
Everyone is different and everyone has their own preferences.
Whichever you choose ... ENJOY!
-
Thanks @Iminei. That is a very useful checklist and I find the BOYS vs GIRLS warning where Hobbycraft is concerned, a very good point. Next time I am in the UK I am sure I will feel the need to go investigate...
Lx
-
Thank God!
There is life out there!!!
Thank you @Lisalou1965 I do wonder if I'm just writing these things for myself sometimes !
-
Please @everyone take this opportunity to tell someone you love them. Just because they know, doesn't mean you shouldn't tell them!
Love you @Iminei. We just sit here quietly loving you and then you think we don't... ><
Numpty! 0_0 0_0 0_0
-
Awwww shucks Wrenkie <3
-
I am very excited about your block of the month, I might not do them all and am wondering if it would be possible if I don’t to make them into something like a cushion individually. Of course I would love to make the full thing but as usual with me Life sometimes (read problems) gets in the way.
Also any idea about the amount of fabric we will need
-
I often read your darkside posts, @Iminei , even though I have no intention whatsoever of cutting up perfectly good fabric to just sew it together again to make a piece of fabric again! :P
I can see you put a lot of time and thought into your posts, I'm sure it's appreciated by the other patchwork nutters practitioners 0_0
-
@Celia ... Each block will measure 12" ....
add some 2" borders and you have a perfectly decent sized cushion cover
I'm hoping to start with relatively easy blocks so as you go along you get more confident and more proficient.
-
@Celia ... Each block will measure 12" ....
add some 2" borders and you have a perfectly decent sized cushion cover
I'm hoping to start with relatively easy blocks so as you go along you get more confident and more proficient.
See? I find that reassuring. I have not got a lot of experience and I hope to be able to do all the BOMs but knowing you will start with something relatively easy is nice!
-
Have we had January's block yet? It is the penultimate day today -<
-
The Darkside Events thread says that the BOM will be running from February to November with two in some months.
I'm really glad to have January and (especially) December off!
-
Whoops! Should read things more carefully :|
-
I'm looking forward to trying a BOM or two (now I know what they are!) but didn't comment on the original post because @Iminei has kindly given me most of that information since I started to lurk on the Darkside :)
-
Will we be able to do this QAYG?
I’m hoping to do some ruler quilting and won’t be competent to do this on a large top, but block by block would be fine.(I hope :S)
-
Its designed as a QAYG project and you will get destructions on how to put it together in one of the months at the end of the year.
Twelve x 12" Blocks will make an excellently sized lap/cot quilt.
-
Hellllpppp!
I could really use some ideas about my fabrics. I'm being so indecisive that I don't think I'm ever going to get started.
This is what I have:
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
As always, the colours are not quite as shown. The one at the back is more vibrant, and the pink (for the centre bits) is pinker.
I think I'm happy with the two groups of four, but do you think the background will work with them? Is it a bit too bossy?
Any other thoughts would also be very welcome!
-
Don't look at me. I haven't even started April because I need to choose a background. Not happening I'm afraid. :S
-
You are thinking of the large dark turquoise as the BG fabric right ?
Personally I think its a bit strong and would go the 2nd down in the turquoise pile ... lighter but not lightest ...
But thats my opinion only!
-
The problem there is that I only have one FQ of that fabric. I might be able to find something similar though.
So would you then have the background one and the other three turquoises as one set of colours?
-
I think the background colour is strong
-
Here's the first pictures of the FQs I originally thought were possibles (ignore the background - I think I'll be replacing it). They all look a little more washed out than they are in the photo.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Of course I do have many, many other options - which might be why I'm having so much trouble
choosing. Maybe I'll go for rainbow colours. Or pastels. Or something else.
-
What about the top green-on-cream for background - if you have enough - and a selection of the bolder blue-greens and green-blues for the geese.
One lot of my potential Bg fabrics arrived yesterday, the other lot are supposedly on the way. Then I shall have to decide :o
-
My problem is that there is no background in my first two blocks so I keep thinking it looks odd. I'll just get on. Nobody said it had to be lovely. :S
-
@Acorn Are you absolutely wedded to the idea of those batiks? Looking at them, while individually they're lovely, together they're might be a bit samey and end up looking like a smudge. If you squint at them, they will blend. Try taking a few out so that there is a definite step between light, medium and dark, and try a stronger pink, red or orange as accent - you only need a bit just to fire up the rest.
Choosing colours for a quilt is often difficult as once you set your mind on something it can be hard to see past it - but often you end up eliminating the colour you were sure was essential.... Keep at it, you'll find it in the end.
-
The BG fabric will also (but not necessarily) be the sashing strips ....
-
@Deafoldbat Do you think these sets of FQs are too similar?
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Maybe if I substituted the palest blue with something that was more blue/cream, and had a cream blender (or plain) as the background...?
-
Haven't you got a contrast colour Accers? To give a pop of brightness?
-
Yes - probably the pink from the first picture - it's a proper pink and not as pale as it looks.
-
@Acorn Although Iminei says the background and sashing strips will be the same, you don't have to do it that way if you don't want to. :devil:
You could use that turquoise as the block background and have a light sashing, or....
If you arrange those fabrics in one lot, dark to light do they look better or worse? As a general rule, your darkest should be really quite dark, and the lightest fairly light. mix them together and see how they look then.
Personally, atm, I would be inclined to remove the pale spot from the green pile; all the rest are quite random patterns and the spot on its own might stick out like a sore thumb. Possibly take out the top one on the blue pile and have the second down green as the lightest. The turq background reads plain from a distance so look at how the others stand up to it - they need to show up rather than blend. Try adding (if you have any) something in the gold to red-orange range and see if that helps; blue and green are adjacent on the colour wheel, red is opposite green, orange is opposite blue. You probably wouldn't need much, just a dash to sharpen up the rest. A quiet evening with squared paper and coloured pencils, trying out ideas can be useful. Most blocks depend on placement of value - light or dark - to give the design. You could even use all sorts of things and a consistent background would tie them all together.
We all have opinions and preferences, but it's yours that matter - in the end it's your quilt and you do what you like. It will be fine. ;)
-
Thank you - I will have a look and see whether I have any more random batik-y patterns to bring the numbers of each set of colours up to 4, and try jumbling them up as well.
I usually like to take photographs to get a more objective idea of how things look, but my new phone camera seems to drain the colours more than the old one did. I'll have to try with a proper camera I think.
-
Excellent advice from @Deafoldbat who most certainly hides her light ........
-
I have chosen! I have washed and ironed the fabrics (because of colour run and creases) and I am now going to stop overthinking it, and get on with it!!
The background is going to be cream, and I found a deep-ish pink/red/purple batik for the centres.
Thank you so much for all your help. :)
-
@Acorn - Have you got pictures of your quilt so far? Or perhaps you have the finished product to show us?
-
@Arloony .... BOM HOF (https://photos.app.goo.gl/TUxjgjFANyRZbHfw9)
Each months finished blocks are posted here for all to admire and the top and quilt should be finished by Midnight on New Years Eve 2020 to win an exclusive TSP Prize winners badge
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
-
@Arloony As Iminei says, my blocks so far, and everyone else's, are on display in the BOM HOF (Block of the Month Hall of Fame) that Iminei has linked to. :)
-
@Iminei ...have you forgotten that today is June 1st...and we are supposed to get a new BOM today...or am I missing something? :(
-
We're only halfway into the first day, and Imi had the unmissable chance of sailing last week, so give the woman some space! :scream: :P
-
She's busy gallivanting all over the high seas!!
Pretending she's with Capn Jack Sparrow ( well I would be ) :D
-
I do miss that avatar! :ninja:
-
Ooops, I did'nt know...sorry. I hope she is having a loverly time and I will apologise profusely when she comes back, for being a pest. :facepalm:
Lx
-
You're not a pest, @Lisalou1965 . Just keen. :hug:
-
You're not a pest @Lisalou1965 we were all expecting it to be up by now. However, life sometimes gets in the way ( wish Cap'n Jack would get in my way :faints: ) :D
-
Ok Ladies, I could do with a spot of help...as we don't yet have a new BOM, I have been thinking about sashing - and backing. Could it be the same fabric, do you think? Or should it be different - or can it be different. QAYG is totally new to me and I am not entirely sure...
I will post my blocks so far, as I am looking for a colour for the sashing and cannot make up my mind. All the fabrics are stuff I had in my stash, so the blocks may be a bit unconventional...dunno. I quite like them. I was wondering about an olive or sage green - or is that going to be like a sore thumb? Another option I was thinking about was a sort of dark grey - slate grey? Are tone on tone fabrics a good idea for sashing, or should they be solids? So many decisions....
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
I cannot find the photos of the others, but at least you have some idea with these...help :S
-
All I can say is that my backing and sashing will be the same fabric, and I like the effect that gives. :)
-
The backing as in the back of your quilt? I’m using the same for the sashing and the background but have not decided what to use as the backing. I don’t really want to buy more fabric so might have a look in my stash.
Why were you thinking about green, @Lisalou1965 ? Do you already have that and the grey? If so, lay your blocks on it and see what you think. I did a cut and paste thing with my blocks and the prospective sashing on the computer to see which I preferred (and then bought them both).
Tone on tone is good or a blender that looks textured.
I didn’t realise I was so indecisive until I started quilting.
ETA - I’ve just remembered - I have some spray time in various colours. I can use that for my backing.
-
@Pearl I have the olive green (it is an old sheet that made its way to the sewing room, as it developed a hole in the old washing machine which became aggressive in old age) the sage, is just cos i love it. The reason I was thinking of green is because, although the blocks have a lot of blue and red, there is a bit of green in some of the fabrics and I thought it might bring them out. I will try the sheet tomorrow, and see how it looks. the grey is just an idea because it is so neutral, and given that there are so many fabrics in the blocks I thought it might "tame" things down. I am open to suggestion, really.
-
@Pearl Yes, I meant background, not backing. No idea what will go on the back, although I suppose I need to decide before I do any QAYG-ing!
-
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
-
@Pearl Yes, I meant background, not backing. No idea what will go on the back, although I suppose I need to decide before I do any QAYG-ing!
My next problem is what colour thread. I’ve been watching some videos on YouTube about how to choose but they’re not giving me the answer I’d like (audition your threads, lay them against your blocks, even make sample blocks and try different colours - rather than the answer I’d like - use that one).
-
My wadding has now arrived but I need some advice about backing fabrics. Is it better if they are all the same colour as in a QATE** quilt, or various colours perhaps in some sort of pattern, or totally random using up odds and sods from the stash (which is growing alarmingly :o )
**Quilt At The End
-
I've done both - but it's your quilt, so your choice. :)
-
Mine will be one colour because that's what I have and also I wasn't really very optimistic about it as it was for improving rather than demonstrating my skills. :S
You could piece it and use your spare block as a feature on the back or make it reversible by piecing the whole thing.
Has anyone mentioned the quilt police to you?!?!?!?! :o
-
Don't worry about the Quilt Police. I still have them bound and gagged in the field shelter, and the way the nettles are growing around there they're not going to cause us any trouble.
-
Your quilt, your choice as ever ... Random fabrics on the back could look quite eclectic !?!
-
I knew it would come down to 'my choice' in the end ;)
-
I first met the quilt police when I first joined TSP. So pleased they are still safely locked up with the nettles
I have a backing fabric like the BOM 's it's yellowy mustard. Yellow and mustard are way out of my comfort zone which is probably why I struggle with the BOM colourways.
Haven't bought any batting yet, should really get rountwit.
-
Ah, but they've been in @Acorn's field shelter since before you joined here, @Bjay so, like me, you probably haven't ever met them ;)
-
I’ve ordered some grey fabric that should arrive by Saturday so I can start quilting... I’m considering hand quilting and have had a quick look online but haven’t found an answer. Do I need special thread?
-
@Lowena 's the hand quilting queen. :)
-
Thank you @wrenkins :|
Yes, I hand quilt,exclusively @LouiseS I do "big stitch " quilting, mainly. For that I use Perle 8 thread and a big eyed needle.
If you want to do small stitch quilting you just use ordinary cotton thread, singly.
The key to all successful hand quilting is to worry less about the size of your stitches, but rather the uniformity of them. If they are all the same length,with the same gap between them.....you've cracked it :D
It's very satisfying and can be as simple or as complex as you wish :thread:
-
Thank you @Lowena
I’ve never tried it before but enjoy hand sewing so thought this maybe a good opportunity to have a go.
-
Not that I can handanything but I heard this tip from a lady that did impeccable hand embroidery ...
She said she was taught at school by stitching the pattern with a sewing machine first ... longest stitch length and without any thread .... and then following the line of holes with her needle and thread ... or something like that .. it made sense to me ...
Other methods involve templates, pouncing??! and the like
Good luck, Im sure Lowena will help you with any further questions and tips and please let us see your progress.
-
I like the idea of hand quilting to, as this is supposed to be quilt as you go could you do a mixture of hand and machine or would it look funny.
-
Your Quilt your Rules ... Are you joining us @Celia ???
-
I have done a couple of your blocks but have sort of got lost along the way, hopefully I will get back to it soon, my problem is lack of space as my Son is using my room for his work at the moment.
-
Ooh er Missus ... Turf 'Im out!
-
Ok brain back on quilt let see how I go
-
I need help probably from @Lowena how small a space can I piece in, notice I didn’t say quilt so far I have put what I think as essentials in a work box, plus fabric. I feel like I need to move half the room
-
@Celia to piece you need enough space to cut out each component of your block plus your machine.
I have an ordinary size desk with the machine on one end. This leaves me about 1ft x 1ft space for my cutting mat. I cut out the pieces for each block individually and sew a block at a time.
That is obviously the smallest space I can and do use. Anything bigger is a bonus :D
You need, rotary cutter,ruler,cutting mat and possibly a pin or peg or two.
Hope that helps
-
Thanks @Lowena i am putting together a basket and will try to be movable but in the meantime I have found something else to work on which doesn’t take up much space, will it qualify me for a slot in the dark side? :devil: