This is the class that I've signed up for: "Fast to Fancy Freehand Feathers", isn't this photo tempting? We'll see how much I can learn in four hours! I'll give it my best, and I'll return with a full report. In the meantime, I've hit a wall with the Temecula Scavenger Hunt sew-along. If you've been following the last couple of posts from me you'll know that two of our grandchildren are currently visiting. In a slap-dash attempt to get ahead with this weeks' clue and get my quilt on schedule before I leave tomorrow, I quickly got all of the nine-patches stitched up and set yesterday afternoon. I thought I was ahead of the game; how clever of me!
From here, it was a hop, skip and a jump to bordering two sides and calling it a day. Think again!
With both ends pinned, I had a bit of excess in the center! Okay, this clearly wasn't working!
Back to square one. Here's the cautionary tale: ALWAYS square up, at every step! I did not!! The instructions were clear, the blocks should measure exactly 3 5/8" after adding the four side triangles.
We won't even mention what mine were measuring! I was over-confident, I never even checked. 🙄
Check out the difference that going back to basics makes! I took each block apart. Just like I taught my granddaughter last week, I marked my seam lines and realigned my thinking to an ACCURATE 1/4" seam allowance! See what a difference it makes?
Good to go; at last!
So, here's where I am right now. I laid out those re-sewn, and perfect, nine-patches alongside one edge and measured. It's all good; but then-- it's not! I'm unhappy with that light brown framing these blocks. I feel that there needs to be more contrast at this point, a much darker brown to echo back to the center rows. I have to continue taking these apart anyway,and so-- these framing triangles are going into the trash can and a darker, espresso brown is going to be reintroduced. This next step will have to wait until I return from MidAtlantic though; I need to finish packing, and I need to add a new seam ripper to my to the top of my shopping list! In the meantime, I'm going to pop up some popcorn and enjoy some after-school time with my grandchildren while I still can!
I'll be back soon.
Life is Good!
4 comments:
What if you inserted a very narrow vertical strip of the darker brown before adding the framed nine patches? That might give you the additional definition you're thinking about. (either way, I do love a good sharp seam ripper)
Looks like you will be having a wonderful class.
Your Temecula project is enough to make me wish I had played along. I get what you are saying about wanting the darker brown to come out to the sides of the quilt. You have probably got it all taken apart by now, but I did think Julie's suggestion would have saved a lot have time and may have provided the look you wanted. :)
It's looking good to me! And you relearned an important lesson that I too often seem to forget also. I can't wait to see how your quilting class turns out! How I would love to try a class like that someday!
So happy to find you again. In early Jan, my computer suffered a melt down. All my old blog friends were lost to me. Not able to remember blog names, I have been on the lookout for mention of familiar blogs as I make my way thru blogland once again. Today I found you! Yay! In reading back to where I left off, it looks like you have been busy as usual. I resonate with your quilting from fabric on hand. I'm doing that, too, but every now and then I find myself getting bored with it and wishing for a shopping trip. --Then I remember the current prices and the old fabrics look a bit nicer. :-)
Post a Comment