Joanie - your layout is beautiful and I'm torn between it and something a little simpler. My feeling is that each of these blocks is so beautiful and unique I don't want to try a new technique on them. I'll save that for another time on a "learning"quilt. (sometimes I do quilts just to learn the techniques involved). But your layout is truly tempting!! - Debbie
Thank you Debbie. I will tell you it was a degree of difficulty because of stretch on the bias. An easier method would be paper piecing. It will take legal size paper to print it due to the length of the top and bottom.
I haven't learned to paper piece yet. I need to refine and develop my range of skills but everything in its time. - Debbie
Hi all,
I'm not involved in the Christmas exchange but let me put my two cents worth in anyway. One of my friends whom I really respect with respect to her quilting expertise uses lots of spray starch when working with bias seams. The spray starch really makes those seams BEHAVE. It firms them up so you can sew them into submission without stretching.
I just went to a Carol Doak workshop sponsored by my quilt guild. She taught us a number of great tips for paper piecing.
Use a # 90 needle to make bigger holes.
Use a 1.5 or 8 stitches to the inche stitch length. This combo makes it easier to pull off the paper later
Rather than using scraps, use rectangles that will cover the spot you need to cover. Trim the edge of the fabric that you will be sewing to so that you can place the new fabric against a true seam allowance.
Use a add a quarter ruler and tape a post card to the end of the ruler. You may use the postcard as a guide for folding the paper pattern back. then lay the ruler down against the edge of the post card and cut. Magic! You have a perfect 1/4" seam allowance.
There a more tricks but if you get a chance, take a Carol Doak workshop. I've always loved paper piecing and her tips just made it all better.
G
Great tips Ginny! In the files section is a download for instructions for the add-on to the Christmas Block exchange for anyone wanting to attempt it. If you use the templates try heavy starching as suggested by Ginny. I starched, but probably not heavy enough.
If you want to try paper piecing the add-ons (which is what I wish I did do, but already had cut my fabric) you can create your paper piece design by putting the templates together for sizing and redraw. I did not make a template for the contrasting strip that goes along the sides of the triangle--that strip is 5/8" finished size. Don't forget to follow Ginny's tips for paper piecing. The larger needle and small stitches do make paper piecing a much easier method.
Finally DONE!!!!! I do apologize to the group for being the last to finish. Next time I'll follow my instincts and do it as soon as I get the information. Things got really crazy the last four to six weeks, with overload at work, two weeks illness and a two week trip for my elderly mom.
If anyone doesn't receive the block let me know as I made a couple of extras, just in case. So far, I've gotten all the blocks except TusconQuilt and Cherold and I'm thinking they are probably lost in the mail.
Joanie's idea for finishing the quilt looks awesome but I have so much on my plate with portrait commissions for Christmas and my own Christmas gifts that I won't even start to put the blocks together until January. I'll just display them and enjoy them as a unique type of Christmas card.
Thank you all for allowing me to participate in this exchange. It was a first for me and it certainly won't be the last...I've really enjoyed it.
Sherry in TX (shalainetx)
Oh Sherry don't worry about being the last one or late. As I said it was a blessing for me as I have also been so busy at work that I wouldn't have had the time to put the blocks together.So never worry as long as all is well we can wait a bit. I am sure there are others that have been busy as well. I am glad that you made the time to participate. I am fairly new to quilting and I try to do these projects to make friends but also to learn from my special buddies.Boy do all these gals have fantastic ideas!
Marsha
Sherry, Life gets a little crazy and everyone here has experienced those seasons. We are more for enjoying making quilts and each other. So happy you decided to participate in the exchange Sherry.
I got Sherry's block in the mail today. It's very simple and absolutely beautiful!! Well worth waiting form Thanks Sherry!! - Debbie
Ditto! Mine came today also and is very nice. Now to put it together. It will be awhile for me.
