Moon Glow

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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-September 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