Correcting A Stupid Mistake

This is my second post this month.

I was so happy I had completed 5 Rotary blocks by the second week of the month. You know how time flies and sometimes your sewing gets out of control and at the end of the month you are diligently working on BOM's that need attention. 

Completing my blocks made me feel accomplished and satisfied. 

Well after my earlier post of my Rotary's, Deana contacted me on the side and mentioned that I orientated my blocks incorrectly. I thought I would have to deconstruct all those blocks but she came up with a suggestion to add one more (6) and the math would work out. (See photo above) So I made 2 more blocks. A correctly orientated block to trade and an additional incorrect block to keep. 

These are my two new blocks. See the difference? 

I will be trading the one on the left.

I am forever grateful to Deana for her suggestion. I love my Seam Ripper but it is one tool I seem to over use. So watch out girls, it was an easy mistake that could really have taken quite a long time to correct. Read the instructions twice and sew once.

This is really a great fun quilt, I can hardly wait until the next offering is posted.
Enjoy your sewing.

Deana's note:  
The difference between the two blocks is this:  The block needs to be 10 1/2" TALL by 12 1/2" WIDE.  She placed the rotary cutter so it was the opposite way.  It is an easy mistake to make, so double check before you applique the flower down.  All swap blocks must be oriented in the same direction as instructed.

Jules

Reposting October Instructions

Block Instructions - background fabric

**The maximum number of blocks you can swap in October is 5.**

All background fabrics need to be white on white.  There should be no other color in it - just white.  Please do not use an off-white.  Use the same background fabric in the square behind the flower as in the alternate flower petals.  The four outside corner triangles also need to be white.

DO NOT use a directional print for the white background such as stripes or anything similar.  The white petals will not blend in on a directional print.

REMINDER:  Use quilt shop quality fabric - yes the expensive stuff.  Please don't use Walmart or Joann's

Applique' 

The white wedges on the flower will not blend into the background if the edges have a blanket stitch or a satin stitch.  You have two choices:

1.  Hand applique the flower. (strongly recommended)

2.  Just tack the points down and let the recipient finish the block the way they desire.  This option is only available to those who feel they don't have pretty hand applique' stitches.

I would prefer that the rotary cutter be hand stitched down, but it is better to send a block nicely done with a blanket stitch (hand or machine) then poorly done with a hand stitch. Do not do the white corners (on the bottom of the rotary cutter) in any color but white if you are doing a blanket stitch.  You will have to change threads.

Rotary Cutter Instructions

The center of the rotary cutter is designed to be a washer (from the hardware store) secured in the middle with a button.  Please DO NOT finish your block with the washer and button.  Leave them off and leave them home because they add weight for mailing and there may be some people who don't want their block finished this way. 

Instead, each person will add their own washer and button when their block arrives in the mail in November.  
MAIL YOUR BLOCK LIKE THIS:

PHOTOGRAPH YOUR BLOCK LIKE THIS:

DO photograph your finished block with the washer and button (just lay it on).  This makes them look like rotary cutters as the pictures float around the internet.  

One last thing:

Page 13, step 11 of the pattern shows where to align the flower.  Please be sure to follow this so placement will look the same on all blocks. Thank you.  

I hope you like this cute but crazy block as much as I do.  Those little dresdons just grab me.

Making sharp points.

A long time ago I learned this trick for making sharp points. I am using it on my Rotary flowers. All you need is a wooden skewer. GENTLY push the tip of the skewer against seam where the point will be. Don't push it too hard or it will go through the fabric and leave a hole.
Hope this helps someone. 

Please check your email.

Please check your email for an upgraded pattern.  I added better instructions for the rotary cutter handle and changed the size of a piece on the template page.

If you did not get it, please let me know.

Dresden Flower Trick

It occurred to me today that one white wedge can be omitted from the dresden if you so desire because it is mostly covered up by the rotary cutter handle.  You will have to turn under the two end color wedges if you choose to do this.

I think this wedge omission would be helpful if someone is having trouble getting their flower dresden to lay flat.  It would give it more room to move. 

Handle length - I love early pattern testers!

Hello Quilt Gardeners!  

A question arose this morning on how long the rotary cutter handle is.  No matter which method you use to turn the edges under or not to turn the edges under, just try to make the handle stick out from the blade approximately 4 3/4".  If you are making a block just for yourself and not to swap, it really does not matter how long the handle is.  Swap blocks will all look best if they look the same - so stick those handles out 4 3/4".  

Thank you!

October Row - Rotaries in Bloom

I had SO MUCH FUN yesterday watching new posts and new emails come in throughout the day with cute little sewing machine pictures!  Thanks for making this project so much fun for me!

Please feel comfortable adding embellishments to your blocks when you receive them.   They are yours now, so add your own touch if you want. 

There is a link to this post as well as any future instructions or corrections on the right side bar.  Please check it often for any updates. 

October patterns were emailed out today, so check your junk folder if you did not get one.  If you swapped a sewing machine then you should have received a pattern.

Block Instructions - background fabric

**The maximum number of blocks you can swap in October is 5.**

All background fabrics need to be white on white.  There should be no other color in it - just white.  Please do not use an off-white.  Use the same background fabric in the square behind the flower as in the alternate flower petals.  The four outside corner triangles also need to be white.

DO NOT use a directional print for the white background such as stripes or anything similar.  The white petals will not blend in on a directional print.

REMINDER:  Use quilt shop quality fabric - yes the expensive stuff.  Please don't use Walmart or Joann's

Applique' 

The white wedges on the flower will not blend into the background if the edges have a blanket stitch or a satin stitch.  You have two choices:

1.  Hand applique the flower. (strongly recommended)

2.  Just tack the points down and let the recipient finish the block the way they desire.  This option is only available to those who feel they don't have pretty hand applique' stitches.

I would prefer that the rotary cutter be hand stitched down, but it is better to send a block nicely done with a blanket stitch (hand or machine) then poorly done with a hand stitch. Do not do the white corners (on the bottom of the rotary cutter) in any color but white if you are doing a blanket stitch.  You will have to change threads.

Rotary Cutter Instructions

The center of the rotary cutter is designed to be a washer (from the hardware store) secured in the middle with a button.  Please DO NOT finish your block with the washer and button.  Leave them off and leave them home because they add weight for mailing and there may be some people who don't want their block finished this way. 

Instead, each person will add their own washer and button when their block arrives in the mail in November.  
MAIL YOUR BLOCK LIKE THIS:

PHOTOGRAPH YOUR BLOCK LIKE THIS:

DO photograph your finished block with the washer and button (just lay it on).  This makes them look like rotary cutters as the pictures float around the internet.  

One last thing:

Page 13, step 11 of the pattern shows where to align the flower.  Please be sure to follow this so placement will look the same on all blocks. Thank you.  

I hope you like this cute but crazy block as much as I do.  Those little dresdons just grab me.