The Sewing Place
The Emporia => Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside => Current Projects => Topic started by: rubywishes on August 12, 2018, 10:28:24 AM
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Well I finally got around to opening the pattern my friend lent me :o :S What the hell were all these bits of paper....hundreds of them! Now I know it was suggested to me that as I am a FPP virgin I should start off with something a bit simpler but meh, what the heck, in for a penny in for a pound I say. Besides which I have fallen deeply and truly in love with this pattern and these gorgeous batiks I have selected and I can truly visualise (without any alcohol consumption) a match made in heaven....sigh, :loveit: :loveit:
But the thing is, I'm often a bit slow at catching on to new things so it has taken me about a week to figure it all out. I've watched countless you tubes, trawled through a gazillion posts on different quilting forums, posted a few numpty pleas for help and now suddenly, as of about 2 hours ago a bolt of understanding blossomed in my little brain. I've done a couple of "testers" and feel rather chuffed with them so now I'm off and slicing......well, first I have to find a million zip lock bags, and a texta to label the bags, some paper clips, a little stick of fabric glue, and a different fold template as I just sliced through the one I've been using. But after that I'll be off and slicing. Oh hang on, I'm babysitting grandchildren tomorrow and the day after that I'm catching up with an old work colleague for lunch and then on Wednesday I should really visit my parents and then Thursday and Friday I'm working. Okay....so next weekend I am definately off and slicing. :)
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That's going to be gorgeous!
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That's nice. What's FPP?
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Can't wait to see it finished. Hurry up!
@crafter fpp- foundation paper piecing.
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Foundation Paper Piecing. (http://www.todaysquilter.com/tutorials/foundation-paper-piecing-fpp-tutorial/)
It's one of the darker of the Dark Arts.
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That's going to be gorgeous RW. Love that pattern. I'm doing a New York Beauty at the moment, but I really fancy doing your pattern as well. :loveit:
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Those teasy taster blocks look very good ... if you can keep that up you'll be flying!
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Foundation Paper Piecing. (http://www.todaysquilter.com/tutorials/foundation-paper-piecing-fpp-tutorial/)
It's one of the darker of the Dark Arts.
ALL of the paper piecing methods are very Dark indeed. They make me shudder when confronted by them.
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Haha, I put my "bravery pants" on and started to cut up my batiks...well, just 2 for starters, thought I would see how I go piecing blocks (4 per pair of fat 1/4s) ) from just 2 fat 1/4's so if I balls it up I've not stuffed up in a major way. After spending a stressful hour reading and re-reading the instructions and then taking rotary cutter to fabric and slicing the billy-oh out of it all I finally got 2 pieces sewn onto my foundation paper and then chickened out......
"What if I think I'm doing it right and sew all 4 blocks and then realise there is something wrong with what I have done?"
"What if I think I've constructed my 4 blocks correctly and then go ahead and cut out my other 18 fat 1/4's and spend all afternoon organising them into zip lock bags and think I'm really cool and well organised and then find out a week later I've stuffed it all up?"
"What if after stuffing up my cutting out and piecing I have to spend another $110 to replace all the lovely fabric?"
"What if I really, really don't understand what the heck I'm doing?"
So..........I've signed up for a class next weekend at the local P&Q shop just to make sure I am "A-OK", "on track", "not a nutter" and "doing just fine". Phew, feel so much better now AND an added bonus to all this hand wringing....I get to buy myself a lovely sewing machine tote on wheels that is big enough to fit the Juki or the Horizon so I can transport either one of my machines in style and safety. :) Ooooo it was fun picking it out....just have to wait for it to come down from NSW :'(
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FPP.......You're mad, old pal.....thassorl :D :D
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Top Tip for any big project ...
Don't cut out all your fabrics in one go ...
After hours of measuring, marking and cutting, you will then look at the mountain of fabric pieces and feel overwhelmed!!
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Oh my goodness, I'm off to my first ever class tomorrow. I've packed and then re-packed the Juki and all my bits and pieces about a million times this morning and can't wait.......but what if when I get there I've forgotten something, what if the instructor is disapproving of me...of my stuff..... or of my whatevers, what if I can't get my trolley bag in through their door without looking like a goose.......what if everyone else is doing really cool stuff and I am the only numpty....what if........what if......hmmmm, it's only 10.30am......too early for a little drinkie to calm the nerves??? -<
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Relax Rubes! and enjoy!
If you've forgotten anything .. someones probably got it and will give you a lend ...
Oh! and I've just heard on the Beebly news channel .. at this ungodly hour in DDD .... that P.Fart is saying that he's unlikely to be impeached because he has done such a great job!!!
Think of that, have a laugh, relax and go off to your class safe in the knowledge that you are miles better at what you do than the 'leader' of the largest country in the world .... sorry if I have upset anyone with that lil nugget ... but seriously???
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With my pedant's hat on @Iminei ... not the largest country, just the daftest :devil:
You'll be fine @rubywishes I see you have a new Prime Minister, think how he'll be feeling ;) Enjoy your class and show 'em how great you are <3
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I see you have a new Prime Minister,
Lord, it's like a revolving door over here!!
So I did my class this morning and was relieved to find that I have been doing everything right afterall so I can now sail on with great gusto. It was a very relaxed atmosphere with people at different stages of competence and experience and a very attentive instructor. I was nervous as all getout and the one time I forgot to close my rotary cutter after using it was the time that the instructor walked past. :'( Felt a proper dill when she reminded me about safety, which of course she was right to do but oh dear.... :'( don't think I can front up to another class.....feel too self conscious now.
BUT, I am loving this FPP caper (and my batiks)...dare I hazard to say I can't see myself doing any other sort of patchworking from now on!
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the one time I forgot to close my rotary cutter after using it
Get the sort that closes when you let go of it. Problem solved.
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All my lovely batiks cut, grouped and clipped together ready for assembly.
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Youre soooooooo organised Rubes!!!
Did you have to print two patterns?
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Well now Im, you know what it's like when you're the only one at home, you have 2 new reams of paper, a new toner cartridge in the printer, absolutely minimal idea of what the heck all these bits of paper pattern are for, and no Mr.Ruby around the place to say "Should we sit down first and just have a little read of your pattern requirements dear?"!! :o :o
The pattern was loaned to me by an acquaintance and as she had made some copies of the templates for her use there were all sorts of different types of templates and paper and tracing paper and chaos so what the heck...when in doubt just go "extra"......Cripes, I went to town baby!!!!
So.....did I need to print out 2 patterns? I dunno.
So.....do I have 2 lots of pattern printed out? Dunno.
All I know is that I have enough for what I think I need..and then also enough to do another 1, 2 maybe 3 of these quilts LOL!
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Miss Rubywishes, you are an organizational rock star! So nice to have everything prepped so one can sit down and sew sew sew. How are the Mariner's Compass units put into the larger project? Did I miss the pictures on that? Your batiks are lovely. Karen
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Looks great Ruby. You are indeed very, extremely, perfectly organized with this. I know, it's sort of like the first day of school when you are little. You're not the first person to ever pack and repack before a class. And when I'm taking garment sewing classes I have to make sure I dressed nice too. ;)
Don't worry about making mistakes in front of your teacher. She's just there to show you a good way of doing things and maybe prevent any minor limb amputations from open rotary cutters. I always close mine. Always. Usually keep it set so it will self close when I put it down. Except once. It of course got knocked off the table and barely missed my sandal wearing foot.
If you take enough classes you'll be amazed at the mistakes you'll see made or do yourself. We learn to laugh at them.
Anybody ever mention the term OCD around you?
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@Renegade Sewist haha, I sent an email off to the instructor thanking her for her help and apologising about my woopsie and she sent a lovely email back so I don't feel so aghast anymore.
I've never done curved piecing so when I get to that part of the construction I think I will book in for another class with her for some guidance. Already my mind is swooping ahead to how I will quilt this and am thinking I just might invest in a Juki Ruler Foot....yep, new kid, first day of school....got to have all the "bits and bobs" as I slide down a very deep and dark rabbit hole!!!! :)
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When you get ready to test doing curved piecing my advice is to try a few Drunkard's Path blocks. Once you wrap your mind around how backwards it all looks before you sew it they get easier. My first ones needed pinning everywhere and now I can usually do them with 3 to 5 pins. The teacher who taught me could do them perfectly with no pins.
BTW, DP blocks are somewhat addictive and you'll want to do one of those next. You'll use your new curved piecing skill in a very relaxed manner.
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All my blocks are finished and ready to piece together. I really enjoyed the curved piecing; didn't find it anywhere near as daunting as I thought it would be.
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@rubywishes Ooh those are stunning! Bravo!
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Lordy that quilt is going to be gorgeous! :toast:
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Wow!
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beautiful Rubes ... which batiks are you using ... they're very striking!
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Im, I must admit to not knowing whose batiks they are, they were at the local P&Q but I didn't pay any attention to the labels.....was too busy loving them and whipping out the credit card! That sort of detail usually escapes me.
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Wow! Just... wow! :loveit:
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Beautiful Ruby! <3
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Wow Ruby love it
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Beautiful! Love the colours you chose as well.
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LOL, I just had it brought to my attention by some eagle eyes that I had my pattern laid out wrong as per the instructions.......sooooo pleased I hadn't started sewing them together...phew :o
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I did wonder, but assumed it was a variation on the traditional design.
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I love the brown batiks @rubywishes , where did you get them? @Iminei pointed them out to me for a barn owl pattern I want to make. I have looked at some but couldn't find the same. I wondered if you bought them as a bundle or made them up individualy. :vintage:
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I bought a couple of bundles of batiks from Craftsy when they had a sale. Even with the shipping to the UK they were still good value.
Doughtys is, of course, the place for batiks, and they do sell them by FQ online as well as by the metre.
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I bought a couple of bundles of batiks from Craftsy when they had a sale. Even with the shipping to the UK they were still good value.
Really ?????
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Me too. And yes really. If you put in a decent order it's definitely worth while even with the postage. :)
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Yes - I think I paid £12 postage, and I bought 3 packs of FQs (one batik) and a pack of batik 10 inch squares, all of which were half price. They even threw in a free pack of small squares.
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@Lilian , Doughty's have a season's end sale on at the moment. Up to 50% off, including batiks. https://bit.ly/2olv53C
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@Lilian , Doughty's have a season's end sale on at the moment. Up to 50% off, including batiks. https://bit.ly/2olv53C
Thanks @Pearl I will take a look, I bought some batik from Doughty's when they came to a local church last year, not in the colours I want now though. :vintage:
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I love the brown batiks @rubywishes , where did you get them? @Iminei ondered if you bought them as a bundle or made them up individualy. :vintage:
@Lilian I bought them at the local P&Q which has a large selection of quality batiks. Not much help to you, sorry but I am looking forward to your barn owl...I've been following your thread and am keen to see it come together :)
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....and now it's finished. :) :)
Things I learnt with this quilt...notes to self:
(1) Accurate cutting needs to improve.
(2) Thread basting is brilliant and for me...the only way from now on.
(3) Sewing 1/8" around the raw edges of the sandwich before adding the binding DOES make it easier to attach the binding neatly and precisely.
(4) My off-centre walking foot actually gives me a perfect 1/4" guide for sewing the binding on.
(5) Hand sewing the binding to the back of the quilt (instead of machine stitching it to either the front or the back) gives me a better, less stressful result.
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That is stunningly beautiful - well done Rubywishes
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Truly gorgeous Rubes <3
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Oh that does look fantastic, Rubywishes.
I love the pattern and the colours are perfect for the setting.
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Definitely a stunner, @rubywishes Well done! :drink:
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R E S P E C T Rubes!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ux51uCkF1StYYEkASsZ-JYg06RdIYM7g4CEP3TTHUlkvyKSyFWd9ubJjXIYViKsh0bQPsPXPgVL6jnn0bc4CvyndPpgemLMK4GstBOHgMsDsU2MnVW9fJ8escmWHkjIgxFaE2y3fQ7EW7SEOZjdeguNBDHo_iMqDeAe8iP5u2q9I1F5tZ1WHcmelfdf8t8l4B_WDPDEG4_BzKGaMBIghskaXjhSpSMSOdrLokyE96KheHZKf9CoJJHOZtJGTnwoxdBt5rVP1wiovr9r5UO0dqyjdCD1jxCeha_ubH1BXuTRvjHq32XpQnXE951UCEQsN4O5P3Fu5gv1rrt0iC4DyJFJ0_D_uUbOkfYbkqE4tSdSkHSDbg5S5c-1HqY5-qaq4o9zqunmPRDCr4ayi044aAtgBaPNzMJyCO1QzB6-te_HruCTqBXsfVQKus_nWxQjkCWf6vcccb9T8fCZhaod-cib73AqYVPyqBWMV-FYp5Dtyu5xu7wqLVgn2EPpKGnw9JtQkWE6A0Gs_6PR4fzorFgVO3JLOsa6ItCill9geEX4u5R5W4kOwOd_Iud4qFfMPsXgHLYw73ZctQmkyrcini7aCDwU16C6ays1GuxaPxTAYTmJ1MjKdoHpjoFrOhlTNWZF7Q5NSXl_HwA7GUU9RyCRQoiBk-Y4lBNfnUJ1ROuAecrbDjfM=w456-h479-no)
Absolutely stunning (and I like that dining room set too)
Gorgeous!
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Wow, wow and wow! That is just stunning.
Are you now a convert to FPP?
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That's beautiful. <3
I don't generally go for browns, but I love the fabrics you've used...and, yes. It suits its setting perfectly.
Sandra.
xxx
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Oh yes @Ploshkin I'm definately a convert and already planning the purchase of the next pattern....a set of table runners also by Judy Niemeyer.
@Sandra the fabrics were a kit I bought so I had no choice in them. I had gone into a LQS to buy all my fabrics and was looking through all the batiks (my favourite) and thinking about "earth" colours when a saleswoman noticing the pattern in my hand told me they had some kits for that pattern leftover from a class years ago...would I be interested in one of them? I saw the earth coloured kit and thought...bingo...that'll do nicely. On reflection, I'd like a little bit of extra colour in it perhaps......maybe some red...but meh....I'll live with it! :)
Thankyou everyone for your lovely comments.
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Absolutely beautiful!!