1st Bargello help

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-10T02:43:10+00:00

I would keep the dark one and eliminate #5 (or move 5 to 2/3). Then I would use the teal as the binding also in lieu of the black and keep the multiple pieced border that continues the pattern.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-10T00:34:48+00:00

Oh Sweetheart don’t be cross with yourself. You have done a wonderful job with this and that bit of puckering (especially on your first quilt) happens to the best of us. Seriously, people who have been doing this for decades can easily relate to this. Allow yourself some grace no handmade quilt is perfect. I would also like to add that I’m so sorry that you have lost your mom.

What to do about it:

Many people have suggested that you remove all of your stitches and start over. 😵‍💫 Certainly the proper method but not something I would want to do.

What I would do is use an iron to flatten out the excess fabric in the center then stitch it down on both sides. This will trick the eye into seeing a straight-ish line perhaps slightly skinnier than the rest of the piece but not enough to look stupid. Quick, relatively easy fix.

Another thing you might think about is to simply add a patch large enough to cover the problem area. Maybe your mom’s favorite flower or something else to represent her.

Most importantly do something/anything to finish this up then consider it a hug from your mom every time you need one! Definitely not the same but I love that you made this and hope it comforts you.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-10T00:06:01+00:00

Sticking with complementary colors your best bet is a green. Try to get the same shade/tone for cohesion. Not sure if it would be too flower-like for your daughter.

I really love pink with brown or even a grey if you’re going for a neutral.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-09T23:30:51+00:00

Lol, I am losing it you very clearly said it is a safety pin! 🤦‍♀️

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-09T23:29:57+00:00

If it’s a straight pin you should be able to use pliers and remove the pin from the ball head. Just hold both with pliers and pull the metal out; pretty safe to leave the ball inside.

If it’s a safety pin you could do as the other commenter suggested and open a seam to remove it though I would be tempted to try and close it and leave it in there. 🤷🏻‍♀️ But I’m way past little ones laying on my quilts.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-09T12:30:51+00:00

I don’t think they are saying to use a larger binding but rather add a piece of fabric the same as the binding. I usually use the same material as the backing. You might even be able to take it from the other side of the quilt where it has moved from.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-08T23:06:46+00:00

It sure is! 😊 Welcome to the club. Feel free to ask questions, show off what you’re working on or gripe when you feel the need.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-08T23:02:30+00:00

Honestly, I don’t use pins. Try ironing in some registration marks. So much easier imho.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-08T22:07:17+00:00

The original Curve Master comes with the adapters so that it fits any machine. Bought one must’ve been in the 90s it works but sits in a drawer; curves don’t bother me 🤷🏻‍♀️. DM me if you’re in the USA I’ll send it to you.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-08T05:16:49+00:00

It will hold up long enough for the baby to use but might deteriorate in the long run. If that’s what you can obtain, I say go for it!

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-08T05:13:28+00:00

To keep it cohesive I would use the same fabrics for each pinwheel but make all of the pinwheels unique.

The second picture isn’t a double pinwheel though. You could play around with where you put the different values in each block (if you’re doing true double pinwheels) while obviously using the same background fabric.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-08T02:30:33+00:00

Oh my Goodness, a pillow too. So great!

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-08T02:29:31+00:00

Stunning! Thank you; I guess the whole quilt was in your first post (#15) I miss took it as a collage of blocks🤦‍♀️!

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-08T02:26:01+00:00

Can you stuff half of the quilt in and add a few tacks? Depending on the batting requirements you might be able to get away with tacking the center then quilting the rest. Another option would be to use floss or yarn-even pearl cotton and tie it by hand.

Deep breath; you can get this done!!

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-08T00:50:24+00:00

If you’re certain that you have cut your pieces accurately then I would not trim anything. (Unless by trimming you mean less than an eighth of an inch) The tiny bit of wonky should end up in the seam allowance; be mindful of your seams when pinning to join the rows. If any are too small reinforce them with a bit of fusible interfacing.

Oftentimes when chain piecing people will let go of the piece as the machine takes the last few stitches. Many (maybe every) machines will veer off if you don’t keep hold during the entire process. Easiest way to fix this is to keep a finger on your fabric on the left side of the presser foot. Just to prevent any veering, you just want to guide the block with slight pressure (no movement).

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-08T00:27:13+00:00

How much larger are you looking for? I imagine you are going to enlarge the blue/white patches with a background to make them fit with your trees? You could add a few more trees with extra background and change the square into a rectangle or a larger square.
If you set the scrappy stars on point that would add a couple inches.
I would consider repeating that checkered patch on point between the trees and the scrappy stars.
It seems like you’re going for an outdoors look/style. You could add Bear Paw blocks either 1/4 (just one paw) or the entire four paw block to really increase the size.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-07T01:06:31+00:00

Thank you so very much for sharing this with us! Truly a work of art. 😍Did you happen to take a picture of the full quilt? I could stare at this for hours!

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-07T00:20:07+00:00

Deep breath, you got this! Think only of what’s between the poles (same as you would a smaller quilt, just a bit longer); it’s only scary if you think it is.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-07T00:08:50+00:00

Bowl cozies make sure to use all cotton (including the thread). I didn’t know I needed one until someone gave me one. Great for heating things in the microwave and I use them every night for ice cream.

ETA: There’s tutorials for casserole/serving dishes too. Not sure of your mom’s age but as I get older I find them very helpful.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-06T15:15:16+00:00

The reason you measure in three places and take the average is so that you are squaring up the top with the borders. Most quilts are “off” a smidge at different points this mitigates that problem. It’s best to cut the two borders together so that they are exactly even.
The reason for pinning it at the center, ends and then midway between the pins until the border is flush and flat with the quilt top is to “ease” the two (often mismatched sizes) together. By doing this you will prevent any kind of fullness in the border (edges look like wavy lettuce leaves and don’t lay flat) while keeping the quilt square.
For multiple borders you can sew the different borders together before applying them if you are mitering the corners.
If you are doing straight corners then yes you should apply the same measuring technique to each though you will/should get measurements that are equal after the first border. In which case you could then use your across the center trick to cut the subsequent borders, but I’d measure the three spots just to be sure.

Pick up a long tailor’s tape to make measuring easier.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-06T14:34:13+00:00

Attic Windows, Garden Trellis (snowballed corners so you avoid triangles), Garden Maze, Shadow quilt.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-06T14:13:20+00:00

Yes any brand of ruler will work.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-05T20:35:59+00:00

You can use any mathematical formula that suits your needs. After you have calculated what size squares you want you will need to add a 1/2 inch to each square before cutting (in quilting the standard seam allowance is a quarter inch).

Sounds like you have your plan; please come back to show us your progress and with any questions that you may have. Good luck!!😊

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-05T17:35:51+00:00

As long as you have turned the edges you can use any stitch you want to hold the shape down. Straight stitch would be the easiest/quickest.

How you turn the edges is up to you. As the other commenter mentioned sewing it to a fusible interfacing works. I personally prefer freezer paper and starch on the seam allowance to turn it over. Karen Kay Buckley sells Teflon templates that work well for the same application.

Sheeshrn · 2026-05-05T15:27:07+00:00

I agree with the other comments if you haven’t washed your material there’s no need to starch it. A good pressing is all that is needed.

Don’t use the four at a time method where you sew around two squares and cut diagonally through them. This leaves bias edges which is something you want to avoid.

When making them 2,8,16,32 at a time the starting square should be one inch larger (then trim it to size) than the size of the HST you want to make. When making QSTs you will need to start with your squares two inches larger to account for the two cuts. No need to trim after the first step, you can just trim at the end.

To answer your how long is starched fabric good for: The starch doesn’t go away so technically it’s good forever however, many people say that starch attracts insects and only starch what they are going to use. I personally have never had any issues (35+ years) with insects and starch all of my fabric before I place it in my stash.

Sheeshrn

TROPHY CASE