F-1 Big Top

Hand pieced and appliqued.  Twenty-four pieces.  This was the second December Block of the Month, picked by Carolyn.  A very original and sweet block.  This is a learning quilt for me, and although I try to make my very best effort at every piece, I am okay with it looking like I am improving as I go along.  That is a good thing!

I continue to use The New Applique Sampler as an applique guide.  Instructions are so detailed for working on just about any shape, like the points on those outside diamonds in this block.  My tips for this block:

• Piece the center portion.  Say some prayers as you join those points in the center.
• For the applique in the outside triangles, applique the diamonds onto a Big piece of background, taking care to watch the grain line. 
• Finger press the heck out of those diamonds, with the freezer paper on top, before basting to the background.
• A hera marker works wonders in place of fingers for the finger press step.  A hera marker is a stick that no Japanese sewing box would be without.  It can mark sewing lines, seam allowance, assist with folds, help poke corners so that they are nice and sharp, etc.  Clover makes a nice plastic one.
• After stitching the applique, mark the sewing line around the piece,  and cut out with a nice big seam allowance on the outside edges.

After a nice month of family activities and quite a bit of baking, I am getting my groove back on my Baby Jane quilt.  Goal for next month is to complete the two January blocks.  Anything on top of that is gravy.  Looking forward to seeing what the new blocks will be!