It is my blog and I am free to express my opinions here...even if it is whining. So here I go.
Whining - Act I. As you Wish Block (Honey Pot Bee - March)
I do not want to paper-piece. May be someday but not today.
I just got a paper-cut. See (my index finger)
That is a sign that paper-piecing is not conducive to my general well-being
I do not have foundation paper.
The printer does not have ink.
I do not NEED to make this block by paper piecing.
I was confident that I could replicate the block without paper piecing.
Made a rough sketch of the block, dividing into sections and proceeded one section at a time.
Hence proved. This block can be made without paper piecing.
Paul: If the block can be made without paper patching, then what is the benefit of it.
Me: Paper piecing leads to greater accuracy (after you stop sewing things to the wrong side, I am told)
Paul: So your block will not be accurate. Hmmm...
Me: I am fine with a little wonkiness. It will match all the other blocks in my sampler quilt.
Paul: I think your block is wonky because you whined so much.
He is probably right about that.
That brings me to Whining - Act II. The Echo Block (Honey Pot Bee - March)
I did not enjoy this block. The strips are too skinny and they are difficult to keep straight. I had to carefully lift away the fabric in the seam allowance to be able to stitch a straight line.
Honestly, this block should be paper-pieced for neatness and accuracy.
But that ship has sailed.
The conclusion of Whining - Acts I and II.
Both blocks were completed and both are wonky.
On the up side, taxes are filed. Phew!!!
I had set aside a whole weekend for the dreaded annual activity. But it took only one morning (spilling into the midday). I had made it more of a beast than it really was.
Paul: May be that is what you are doing to paper piecing?
Me: Whatever do you mean?
Paul: You are making it more of a beast than it really is.
Me: Geez, Paul - must you be right all the time?
Ok, fine. The reassurance that I needed came from two sources. Bernie (who was similarly apprehensive) mentioned on her blog that she did it and it wasn't so bad.
I learned from my Craftsy BOM that you do not need foundation paper, but regular copy paper works just fine. You must first perforate the sewing lines with threadless stitching, using a short seam length.
Also, Paul changed the toner in the printer. I was officially out of all excuses.
So, I printed out the star pattern (Thanks Bernie). Here is the saga of my first paper piecing attempt in pictures.
Tore away the paper in disgust, after the fabric moved and failed to cover the section completely.
The next time, I managed to complete the block. It was measured and found to be lacking. AARGH...
The next one.
Not the best outcome!!!
Making the next two.
Almost there.
Papers removed easily :-)
How I wish the seams matched perfectly. But they don't :-(
So the block is complete. It is not perfect. The length of time spent, mistakes made, do-overs and fabric waste should have led to a better block. May be next time.
On the upside, spring is here :-)
The joy of a tax refund (small but joyful) combined with the need to celebrate spring brought me to this lovely fabric line - Somer's Garden and I splurged.
Also on the Connecting Threads site, I noticed these two lovely fat quarter bundles that include fabrics by Amanda Jean Nyberg of Crazy Mom Quilts.
This is Cool Neighbors and it is 50% off. 20 FQs for less than $15.
I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties. But I'd love to hear from you.
What did you whine about? And what spring activity you are looking forward to?
This blogpost contains affiliate links.
Whining - Act I. As you Wish Block (Honey Pot Bee - March)
I do not want to paper-piece. May be someday but not today.
I just got a paper-cut. See (my index finger)
That is a sign that paper-piecing is not conducive to my general well-being
I do not have foundation paper.
The printer does not have ink.
I do not NEED to make this block by paper piecing.
I was confident that I could replicate the block without paper piecing.
Made a rough sketch of the block, dividing into sections and proceeded one section at a time.
Hence proved. This block can be made without paper piecing.
Paul: If the block can be made without paper patching, then what is the benefit of it.
Me: Paper piecing leads to greater accuracy (after you stop sewing things to the wrong side, I am told)
Paul: So your block will not be accurate. Hmmm...
Me: I am fine with a little wonkiness. It will match all the other blocks in my sampler quilt.
Paul: I think your block is wonky because you whined so much.
He is probably right about that.
That brings me to Whining - Act II. The Echo Block (Honey Pot Bee - March)
I did not enjoy this block. The strips are too skinny and they are difficult to keep straight. I had to carefully lift away the fabric in the seam allowance to be able to stitch a straight line.
Honestly, this block should be paper-pieced for neatness and accuracy.
But that ship has sailed.
The conclusion of Whining - Acts I and II.
Both blocks were completed and both are wonky.
On the up side, taxes are filed. Phew!!!
I had set aside a whole weekend for the dreaded annual activity. But it took only one morning (spilling into the midday). I had made it more of a beast than it really was.
Paul: May be that is what you are doing to paper piecing?
Me: Whatever do you mean?
Paul: You are making it more of a beast than it really is.
Me: Geez, Paul - must you be right all the time?
Ok, fine. The reassurance that I needed came from two sources. Bernie (who was similarly apprehensive) mentioned on her blog that she did it and it wasn't so bad.
I learned from my Craftsy BOM that you do not need foundation paper, but regular copy paper works just fine. You must first perforate the sewing lines with threadless stitching, using a short seam length.
Also, Paul changed the toner in the printer. I was officially out of all excuses.
So, I printed out the star pattern (Thanks Bernie). Here is the saga of my first paper piecing attempt in pictures.
 |
| Needled - No thread |
Tore away the paper in disgust, after the fabric moved and failed to cover the section completely.
The next time, I managed to complete the block. It was measured and found to be lacking. AARGH...
The next one.
Not the best outcome!!!
Making the next two.
Almost there.
Papers removed easily :-)
How I wish the seams matched perfectly. But they don't :-(
So the block is complete. It is not perfect. The length of time spent, mistakes made, do-overs and fabric waste should have led to a better block. May be next time.
On the upside, spring is here :-)
The joy of a tax refund (small but joyful) combined with the need to celebrate spring brought me to this lovely fabric line - Somer's Garden and I splurged.
Also on the Connecting Threads site, I noticed these two lovely fat quarter bundles that include fabrics by Amanda Jean Nyberg of Crazy Mom Quilts.
This is Cool Neighbors and it is 50% off. 20 FQs for less than $15.
And this is Fun Neighbors FQ Bundle. 19 FQs for less than $15. You are welcome.
What did you whine about? And what spring activity you are looking forward to?
This blogpost contains affiliate links.
