Here are a few questions I have either received or expect to get. I will add to this list during the course of the Sew Along. If you have an issue please check here first!
Q. I’ve bought the pattern but am having difficulty downloading it. Help?
A. There is a separate blog post to help you.
Q. Does the pattern have a colouring page?
A. Yes, well it actually has 6. Two for each quilt size, one with the fabrics notes as I have used them and a second blank one so you can design your own colour placement.
Q. Why do I have to print the pattern pieces at a copy shop/prints and not do it at home on my printer?
A. I explain why I decided to only provide a large format file at the beginning of this blog post.
Q. I have not printed large format files. Where can I do this?
A. I appreciate this maybe new for you and have tried to provide infomation to help you where ever in the world you are from mid way through this blog post.
Q. Have I lost one of my sections? I can’t find section I
A. No not lost, section I doesn’t exist in this pattern to avoid confusion with the number 1 used to show the order of areas to sew. Sorry I normally have this in my pattern instructions and must have edited it out!
Q. Do I have to trace the pattern onto specialist foundation paper? How much will I need?
A. No not at all! I certainly didn’t do this. I checked the weight/thickness of the paper I got my pattern printed on and it was 80gsm (lower number for thinner, higher number for thicker) this is the same as standard copy paper. Some people use standard copy paper normally and it perforates well if you have a small stitch length so when it comes to remove the paper it comes out pretty easily. Top tip – pull along the seam and not straight up to avoid breaking thread.
Q. I want to make the background all one colour how much fabric do I need? I’m making the throw size quilt.
A. I have not made one like this so these are my best guesstimate and will also depend on how much fabric you use when you FPP. This assumes you still sew all the seams as if they were different fabric. I actually think this this could look amazing and give a more subtler look to the fracture. It would also look good with a print. If you combine all of the areas within a section into a single piece you would probably need less fabric but you might not be able to be as efficient with the fabric.
- Throw – 3.5yards (3.2m) Width of Fabric – WOF (assumed 42″)
- Single Bed – 4.8yards (4.4m) WOF
- Double Bed – 7.7yards (7m) WOF
These amounts also apply for the totally amount of fabric you will likely need if you are making
For reference you will likely need to total of 2 yards (1.8m) WOF for the skull.
If you do this please let me know how you get on with these amounts so I can note it here for future makers.
Q. I am making the Single Bed Quilt (60″ x 80″). Do I still need to print the pattern the same size?
A. Yes. To try and make the pattern as simple as possible I made it so you print the pattern the same for all 3 sizes. For making either of the two smaller sizes you then don’t use some of the pattern or you trim the blocks down. This is covered in the instructions.
If you are being super clever you can make any of the 3 sizes smaller by printing the pattern pieces on smaller pages. So for example if you print on A1 paper (not A0) the pattern will be 71% smaller (just under 60″ square for the largest size using all the pieces). On A2 paper the pattern will be 50% (40″square for largest). If you do this there are a couple of things you will need to remember:
- increase the seam allowence when cutting back to quarter inch
- Fabric guidelines will not reduce the same amount as proportionally the seam allowance will be larger
- Bulk in the seams will increase and the finish won’t be as good as a result
Q. I have run out of fabric but I bought the amount in the pattern!
A. I’m truly sorry this has happened. I have tried hard to provide the best information possible. In the pattern I have a table called “fabric guideline” and these can only be guidelines as everyone does FPP differently. I know I try my best to be as efficient as possible to make my fabric and money goes further. I have seen others cut large rectangles and trim away lots of fabric. I have not wanted people to be short on fabric or avoid making the quilt as the have been put off by generous amounts specified.
To get the amounts I specified I first tessellated every pattern piece with seam allowance electronically onto a solid fabric. Then I purchased this amount and used only this to sew my sample quilt – I had reasonable amount left of each (except 2 where I had loads left over. My pattern testers used the same amounts and fell short on a couple and again had too much on the 2 colours I did. I made a few adjustments and tried to make it as clear as possible but you may need more fabric depending on your style of FPP or the type of fabric you are using.
Q. How much time will I need for this sew along/ make the quilt top?
A. I tried to keep track when making my version (largest size) and I think it took me about 36 hours. This sound like a lot but spread over 6 weeks it is not too bad with 6hrs a week. Some weeks will be more and others less, realistically I imagine spending a couple of evenings and some time each weekend. I am not the fastest sewer either but equally it could take you longer if you are in experienced.
Q. I saw I purple/ red and yellow version of the quilt in the listings. What colours are these?
A. That is Sarah (@Edwardandthewhitebear on Instagram) one of the pattern testers versions. She used kona solids; Lemon Ice, Citrus, Duckling, Papaya, Orange, Tangerine, Sangria, Berry and Eggplant (lightest to darkest).
Q. Do I need to cut the pattern out exactly on the line?
A. Nope! I don’t initially just cut the sections apart roughly .. then I sew the fabric on and trim on the line once the section is finished.
Q. Do I work on the skull sections for just one quadrant at a time?
A. I suggest working the skull section for both halves at one time. If you cut the fabric for the 2 sections the same (but mirror image) you will speed up the process. Sew ones with #1-#7, then set aside and work through all the colours and then assemble each quadrant.
Q. I can’t work out a solid colour gradient as I can’t visit a fabric store. Help?
A. Look at premade bundles by the manufacturers of your favorite solids and look the colours they put together then replicate this.
Q. If I print the pattern at 50% will I need half the amount of fabric?
A. No you will need more than half , i would allow 3/4 of the fabric. This is because the sections are smaller but so is the seam allowance so you will need to make this 1/4 inch (not 1/8 inch) so will be proportionally more fabric.
Q. On the pattern I want to check I’m reading the labels correctly. The big AX is the section, the big numbers are the order they are sewn, and the # is the color?
A. Correct
Q. On Block A is piece number 7 only added if doing the 60 inch quilt? If I’m making the full version (double) piece 6 (of Block A) would extend all the way out to cover 7. Do I have that correct?
A. Yes correct! Ignore the section 7 if you are making either of the 2 bigger quilts.
And Sew I ... 