My online friendship group task this month was a simple, rotary cut, machine pieced block consisting of 16 HST. Lovely block, clever use of values. I really like it.
Tara provided us with 16 squares of fabric, which were then sorted into light/dark pairs. Having never sewed a HST before (you know it - I'm a machine piecing novice) I am proud to report a successfully marked diagonal line and just to be extra sure also marked the 1/4" sewing line because of my lack of trust in the 1/4" machine foot, or rather, my operation of said foot.
With laptop set up alongside Elvis to a tutorial on HST we set off...
- Sew and rotary cut squares into HST - check
- Press open and trim up to 4 1/2" squares - check
- Lay out into required pattern - check (nice isn't it before I get to it)
- Sew into four strips - check (amazingly)
- Sew three long seams - nup
The unpicker was wielded to undo the offending intersections (by now I'm thinking about hand sewing these seams, I'm positive they would be more accurate)
Anyway, after a fair bit of unprintables issuing from my mouth and the unpicker heating up from overuse the block was completed - it's not great...more practice required fur shur.
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13 comments:
i'm with you kate, give me a needle and cotton in my hand any day!
first of all I love the quote at the top of your blog I have been reading that to myself for months. I never saw it on your blog before. My suggestion for the post would be adventerous woman explores new path.
I understand and it took me years before I learnt that there are tricks and tips for doing all that stuff where the seams meet plus those feed dogs that push the top layer through before the bottom etc, etc. I'm now in the opposite situation where I'm trying to master hand piecing.
I love the block, and do not see its 'flaws'. I do understand the feeling of not mastering the machine piecing. For a long time I stuck to hand piecing, and practiced machine sewing on smaller projects, and I think the practicing helped. A profuse amount of pins are my friends when using the machine. Especially when joining intersecting seams I am lost without the pins, one right in the seam and one on each side, perpendicular to the edge. The block pattern is one I have seen on many of the Dutch blogs. It is lovely, and I'd love to try it out sometime. I'm hoping you won't give up machinepiecing - IMHO you are well on your way to mastering it:)
Kate have patience with yourself. It takes time to perfect those neat little intersections that we make by hand. Remember you also had to practice when first starting to hand piece and I am sure if you think back you had to perserver over those learning curves then. It will be the same with machine stitching. practice makes perfect.
on another note I think you did a fabulous job.
you will master this technique as well it just takes patience and practice
Practice, practice, practice and you will get better!!
I think your block looks good. I can't see the flaws. One thing that I do when there are so many pieces is press the last couple of long seams open to reduce bulk.
Batting and quilting will make any small imperfections disappear.
Definitely practice is the only way to get perfection but I honestly think they look great. I know Tara will love them, I only got my fabric on Friday so I will do it today..
There are no rules you know Kate, there's nothing that says you can't hand piece the blocks for the bee, I know I for one would be blown away if someone handpieced a block for me. The eventual quilts will all reflect the international friendship that helped make them, that's what I love about this..
Lizzie
xxx
Way to go Tara. It looks fantastic. I have just done mine and must say some of my points don't match but there is only so much unpicking you can do!!
Kate, I believe practise makes perfect. Frustrating I know, we want perfection on our first attempt.
Don't worry too much though, look at some of the antique quilts and the imperfections are what attracts us to their quaintness.
I think your block is perfect! Some of my points do not match exact but the block still looks nice.
Give it time to get used to using a machine. I wish I could hand sew. I miss being able to use my right hand to sew!
I love it! It's about learning and hopefully you did! Though I know none of us would be offended by a hand pieced block either! This quilt is going to be beautiful because we all made it!
Kate, I think it looks wonderful! I can't use a machine at all, so I'm in awe of it, and I admire your bravery!
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