Wednesday, February 12, 2014

It's Worth the Effort

I love foundation paper piecing.  I know it drives some of you mental, but for me there is nothing better.  It gives me an excuse to pull out my crayons.  The template tells you where to stitch, so you don't have to pay attention to that quarter inch seam, AND you get the pointiest of points in your final block.  Win win win.

Over the weekend I pulled out my trusty star templates and started stitching.  Much to my surprise they came together WAY easier than I thought they would.  Only once did I really really mess it up, but that was my own fault for sewing while tired.



I was very lucky to not run out of my chosen fabrics. I had forgotten how much wastage there is when paper piecing and I really wanted to have some left over to pull these colors/prints through to the borders.  I came quite close to the end of my red pin fabric, but squeezed out every last drop from the FQ I had.  Whew!



I have all 8 sections pieced now and I'm trying to put them together in quarters, halves and then into the final block.  Now here my system of simple sewing on the line is breaking down.  I am not getting the lovely matching seams and pointy points that I would like to have.  I think it's because I can not quite feel the seams to align them with the two pieces of paper on either side.  The four layers are also quite thick to sew through and a little slippy with the paper running along the faceplate.  I have started to rip out the paper from two of my sections to see if I have better luck stitching them together.  I will let you know how that goes.



With any luck, I will have a finished block tonight.  I have to start thinking now about borders and placement.  Will this block go on point? Or what borders will I add to bring it to 15 inches?  I'll probably mess with a few options and ask your thoughts on IG (@fluffysheepquilting) later this week.

The two quarters on the right have been joined together, so there's a bit gap
with the "used" seam allowance.

My, these look dingy in the dark evening light. They're really quite vibrant
and pretty....honest!
In other news, did you see that Rapture, by Pat Bravo, has arrived in the shop?  This line is just gorgeous and, as with all Art Gallery Fabric prints the texture of the fabric is just divine.  This was supposed to arrive at FSQ back in December, but was stuck in Korea for nearly 2 months!  I nearly cried when it finally arrived!




27 comments:

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Stunning block, and luscious fabrics xxx

memmens said...

It is fantastic, I know that sewing while tired thing - we really should learn!

memmens said...

It is fantastic, I know that sewing while tired thing - we really should learn!

Canadian Abroad said...

OMG! Your medallion is going to be amazing!!!

Sarah said...

I think I'm in love. That pp was worth every second! Keep at it!

Tomomi McElwee said...

Looks good. I like the colour. Use the flat pin to pin down the points and re-pin them. You will be fine.

Nicky said...

Looks sublime!

Learnt a trick on my FQR class to just make a few stitches when trying to match then take a look - easier to unpick a few than a whole row! When you get the join right you stitch the rest - worked for my typewriter block and one of my schoolhouses when I could be bothered - or handstitch a bit??

Indianna said...

Wow...your paper piecing is fabulous...are you hooked on it now?

Just Sew Sue said...

Fabulous.

Cindy Sharp said...

Your block looks wonderful.

Katy Cameron said...

Oooh, it's gorgeous!

Susan said...

You've made a great start on your Medallion centre! I think the mess of tearing off the paper is cancelled out by the accuracy of the piecing !

Leanne said...

I also take out some of the paper on tricky seams. You can baste them in place first to see how they are joining too. It is going to be fantastic, and I love the new fabric too.

Betty said...

Very, very beautiful!

Betty said...

Very, very beautiful!

Karen said...

So entirely worth the effort, it is gorgeous! I too struggle with joining and usually peel off the paper only along the seam allowances. It can help ;)

pennydog said...

That's looking really fab, will it be a cushion, a wall hanging, middle of a medallion quilt or something else entirely?

Ruth said...

I had much better luck matching points without the paper when joining pieces. No idea why. Somedays it works better with the paper, some better with it removed! Fabulous looking block, the red is gorgeous!

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

it is amazing how all those little bits make something so beautiful

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

it is amazing how all those little bits make something so beautiful

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

it is amazing how all those little bits make something so beautiful

Judy said...

I'm with you, I like paper piecing and once you get used to fiddling with it a bit, you can get nice results. I love the block-great fabric choices!

Judith, Belfast said...

Such pretty fabrics. And I love your foundation piecing! Looks like a stunning centre piece! Jxo

Catherine said...

Looks amazing, love the colours!

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

It's a stunning centre - can't wait to see it finished and to see what you add next!

Tina said...

Oh gosh, I must have some of that fabric... Gorgeous, as is your paper piecing!

Linda Coleman said...

love that star, I so want it, the colours, the fabrics, great work

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