| Check here each month for information, recommended accessories, sewing tips and to download PDF Fabric Keys. Click here to update your billing information. Visit the QBTB Blog for more information, images and tips and sign up to receive email updates when new information is posted to the blog. Block of the Month calendar General Tips Don't forget to replace the blade in your rotary cutter occasionally. A fresh blade makes cutting easier, more precise, extends the life of your cutting mat and helps to alleviate strain on your wrists and hands. Microtex Sharp sewing machine needles are great for sewing precise seams. Replace your sewing machine needles often, not just when they break! Damaged or worn needles result in broken or shredded threads, skipped stitches, puckered fabrics, damaged fabrics and uneven threads. Replacing your sewing machine needle is the easiest way to improve your stitch quality. |
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2009 Bay Block Club |
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Americana Modern Block of the Month Recommended accessories Wing Clipper by Deb Tucker for flying geese Bias Square Ruler 8" for half square triangles Bias Square Ruler 4" for half square triangles Tucker Trimmer for quarter square triangles Clearly Perfect Angles for sewing diagonal lines Angler II for sewing diagonal line
Click here for more information on Americana Modern Block of the Month program |
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Civil War Tribute Block of the Month Get special tips for Civil War Tribute from the designer at Homestead Hearth. Recommended accessories Civil War 108" Wide back fabric brown Civil War 108" Wide back fabric ivory Civil War 108" Wide back fabric ivory with blue flowers Civil War Tribute Battle fabric 44" wide Civil War Tribute Toile fabric 44" wide
Click here for more information on Civil War Tribute Block of the Month program |
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Cobblestone Lane
Block of the Month
Recommended accessories Astor Manor 108" wide back fabrics Fabric Keys Month 7 you will receive fabric for your sashing strips. Month 8 you will receive your borders and binding fabrics.
Click here for more information on Cobblestone Lane Block of the Month program |
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Farmer's Wife Block of the Month Check the QBTB blog for finished block images and tips. Eleanor Burns Mini Flying Geese Ruler Set Civil War 108" Wide back fabric brown Civil War 108" Wide back fabric ivory Civil War 108" Wide back fabric ivory with blue flowers
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Click here for more information on Hop to It Block of the Month program Starts March 2010 See Sandy's blocks in progress on the QBTB Blog Recommended accessories Mono Poly by Superior Threads (for machine applique) Sewline Water Soluble Fabric Glue Pen
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Moon Glow Block of the Month Recommended accessories Carol Doak’s Paper Piecing paper C Jenkins Freezer Paper Aurifil Thread 50 wt Black Microtex Sharp Needles 80/12 Clover Fine Patchwork Pins Moon Glow Backing Fabric Sue's Sewing Tips for Moon Glow-October 2009 Jinny Beyer recommends backstitching at the beginning and end when stitching pieces together. Seeing the beginning and end of your seams can be difficult. Keep in mind that Jinny Beyer handpieces everything so “reversing” is entirely different. Dee Boop, a Quilting by the Bay customer, shared a tip that I have found to be very helpful. Instead of backstitching in the beginning, start with your needle in the very beginning point and stitch a couple stitches. Then lift your pressure foot slightly and put your needle back in the beginning point. This accomplishes the same thing as backstitching only with more accuracy. At the end, rather than backstitching, put your needle in the last point to be sewn, lift your pressure foot and turn your piece 180º, stitching back over your first seam a couple stitches which secures that end point. It keeps your block from bunching up when backstitching and again, is more accurate. Block 2 – If you are comfortable with appliqué, I recommend using the freezer paper method found on page 6 and appliquéing the square in place when the compass points are complete. Be sure to use good paper piecing paper as copy paper is heavier and therefore decreases the precision needed for these blocks. I found Carol Doak’s Paper Piecing paper to give the most success. For those of you who prefer to use the freezer paper – pay attention to your end points. Follow the instructions carefully to line up start and stop points, especially when sewing around the square. Note when attaching the B/BR sections that the end stitching points should match at each corner without space between them. Sue's Sewing Tips for Moon Glow-Sept 2009 Many of the compass blocks in Moon Glow recommend the Freezer Paper Foundation method. Using this method, the freezer paper gives a stable sewing line. The C Jenkins Freezer paper is very firm and a little thicker than what comes on a roll – and the sheets to go through your inkjet printer. Jinny’s instructions in block 1 are very good for using this technique C Jenkins Freezer Paper We recommend using a fine thread for piecing this quilt. Most of the fabrics in this quilt are dark and the black stitching works very good. Aurifil Thread 50 wt Black A microtex sharp needle provides very precise stitching Microtex Sharp Needles 80/12 It is important not to “disturb” the seam allowance when pinning pieces together for the compass/star blocks. These pins are very fine and wonderful to use when piecing any project. Clover Fine Patchwork Pins Some of the compass/star blocks work better using a paper piecing construction. Using paper specifically designed for paper piecing makes not only the construction easier but also the removal of the paper once the block is finished. Carol Doak Foundation Paper Click here for more information on Moon Glow Block of the Month progam Back to the top |
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Baltimore Halloween Block of the Month Read tips from Joan January 28, 2010
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Pies and Tarts Block of the Month Tips Sue has prepared a layout diagram for cutting your Pies & Tarts from the fabric that you receive each month. Download the layout diagram for cutting your Pies & Tarts. See the blog post about Pies & Tart storage ideas and get more tips on the QBTB Blog. When basting your fabrics to the templates use an inexpensive thread that you need to use up or get rid of since you will pull these threads out later. I have been trying to use up thread from old bobbins that don't fit in my new sewing machine. Use the Bottom Line Thread from Superior Threads for stitching your pies and tart pieces together. Recommended accessories Bottom Line Thread from Superior threads for sewing your Pies and Tarts together and also for appliqueing the pieces to your background blocks. Bottom Line thread by Superior Threads Use Sharp Needles for basting fabric to templates. Use Straw Needles to sew your Pies and Tarts together. Foxglove Cottage Straw needles #10 Foxglove Cottage Straw needles #11 Click here for more information on Pies and Tarts Block of the Month program |
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Tonga Batik Back to Nature Block of the Month Recommended accessories Aurifil Dark Tan Thread 2326 -Connie B. says this is the perfect color for piecing the Tonga Batik Nature quilt. Click here for more information on Tonga Batik Back to Nature Block of the Month |
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Check the QBTB blog for finished block images and tips. Click here for more information on Women's Voices Block of the Month Program Recommended accessories Civil War 108" Wide back fabric brown Civil War 108" Wide back fabric ivory Civil War 108" Wide back fabric ivory with blue flowers Fabric Keys With Block 13 you will receive your sashing strips. Use your scraps leftover from blocks 1-13 for your sashing cornerstones. |
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