I am trying to do Somewhere in Time BOM. I trying to do step #3 of the first block and I'm having trouble getting on point. Could someone give me some advice on how to stay on point.

Thank you,
Kathi in Tx

Kathy, when doing blocks like this(flying geese) I always draw a diagonal line across the smaller block. Then when I sew I always sew right on this line. As long as your measurements when cutting your blocks are accurate you should be good to go.

Betty

Hi, Kathi,

I am not that far removed from beginner quilter myself so it may be a case of the blind leading the blind here, but I did do this block once and I decided to change my fabric and colors and will be making it again this weekend. (I hope)

Is the trouble with the triangle shapes making the flying geese blocks? Have you made these before?

There are a lot of ways to make flying geese blocks. When you do the trangle shapes as called for in this pattern it can be tricky the first few times.

Do you pin? If not this might help. Use two pins to hold it securely. Remove the pins as you go if you like.

[edited]

I do not do either of these things now, but when my hands are bothering me (I have arthritis) I use a pair of angle head tweezers to hold the ends of the fabric just before they go though the needle to keep the seams even.

As I said, I will be making this block again soon, and if you want to ask specific questions, I will do my best to answer.

Please let us know how you are coming with this block. This is a beautiful quilt pattern.

Hi, ho, hi ho ... back to work I go, <3 Pat

This message has been edited. Last edited by: scrapatches,

Pat -

I have one question about the glue stick??? I would not use a glue stick where I would be sewing. I think this could really cause problems, because some of this glue can get into the inner working of the machine, and my Pfaff, for one, would NOT like that. I think my machine would boycott me. But that's just me.

For the FG blocks, I have The Angler II and use it for my HSTs and FG type seams. This gives you a line to guide the points of the squares or triangles and helps keep a straight line.

I also sometimes just eyeball it and stitch corner to corner - USUALLY this works. LOL! Sometimes my eye is a tad off.

Hi, Linda,

I got the glue stick suggestion from a quilter near me when I was first learning three years ago. I did not like using it for fear of the reasons you mention, although I always wiped down my machine and I never really had a problem. I had the same reaction as you at that time and this person told me she did it all the time and used it for applique seams, too.

I will remove the tip if you think this will be a problem.

No problem, Pat

Well when I draw that trusty line and follow it I don't bother pinning anything but that's because I've had lots of practice now!

My very first quilt was full of flying geese and I didn't know the first thing about quilting! When finished I found out man was I proud! lol

Betty

About the glue stick, as long as it is a water soluable it will not hurt your machine. You don't use but the thinnest amount and if you will put it in areas that you will not be sewing it is no problem. Athough I have sewed over it and there was no problem.

Betty

Thank you all for your suggestions and I will try them tomorrow. I had to put it up tonight. Too muchh seam ripping.....lol

Kathi in TX

There is a very easy way to make flying geese blocks, 4 at a time, using only squares, no triangles. You sew the diagonals before you cut, so you don't have to worry about points or bias. If you're interested, let me know and I'll post an attachment with the directions.

Also, if you have trouble keeping points from being "eaten" by feeddogs, you can put a piece of typing paper underneath the point as you sew. It will tear off easily later.

Jeb I would love to see your FG from a squares! I love doing 9-Patch Blocks the Eleanor Burns method of beginning with a square to obtain 1 postive and 1 negative 9-Patch.

Betty