Saturday Sewing

Despite the buckets of rain coming down on Saturday, I made my way up to sew with the Firehouse ladies, and very glad I did.  It's always so much fun to see everyone's projects, catch up on the news, and maybe squeeze in a little sewing. 

After I got the binding on a newly quilted class sample, I set out to work on a CW block.  Caryn and Mary were working on theirs as well, so I as in good company.  It took me nearly an hour to finish the blue and white one, Sadness and Silence.

ok, maybe there was a little chatting along the way, but I cannot be expected to just sit and sew!

I paper-pieced a few of these....and here's a few things I've learned/remembered about paper-piecing:

        -  it's worth the investment into come foundation paper.  I used Carol Doaks Foundation paper and I really like it.

        -  if you are going to take the paper off before you sew the blocks together, be very careful pressing.  The blocks can get a little distorted and grow if you steam and run the iron over the block too much.  Just place the iron on the block, no steam!

       -  before you print the blocks on EQ, really take a look at how they suggest grouping the pieces.  I found sometimes I re-group them for my own ease of piecing.  Also, always do the print preview so that you don't have units spanning over 2 pages.

So it was a very productive weekend in large part because it was Father/Son weekend in the Adirondacks.  DH went with the twins, 2 of their friends and their friend's dads.  The twins quick report on the weekend.....the kids had fun and there were alot of beer bottles in the recycling.  Oh well, to each their own vice/form of entertainment.

Hugs and Stitches!

Megan

Comments

[lily boot]

Thanks for the tips on founation piecing - that is the exact foundation paper I have bought. I've not used it yet - bit nerve wracking! Your blocks are lovely - particularly the blue and white block, your triangles are so perfect!

[kathie]

great blocks! guess I should try that paper too then if you like it so much.
Kathie

[Carol]

Great blocks...thanks for the tips...I am working at paper piecing.

[Lorre]

Your blocks are very pretty. Nice color combos.

[sewstylish]

Oooh Great blocks. Wish I could say I was that productive over the weekend. Maybe the daylight savings will help get me more productive. Next time you come up to the Adirondacks you should stop at some of our local quilt shops.

[Patti]

Finally figured out how to print the foundations in EQ. I discovered quickly that I didn't like some of the ways they did the blocks so I redid them. What I don't know is what to do if the piece spans across two pages. How do you move it so it doesn't?

Thanks ahead of time!

[Jackie]

Isn't it great to get something accomplished and be happy that you did?? The blocks are lovely and you are definitely right about all your points of paper piecing. I too love Carol Doak's papers.

[christine]

Your Civil War blocks are lovely. I have the books on order from Amazon and hope to start some of my own soon. Thanks for the foundation piecing tips.

[JudyC]

Great block! I learned that lesson this week about checking preview before printing. Yikes. but luckily I was putting one sheet at a time in and didn't goof too many. Wonderful blocks and great colorations!