Piecing & Curve Journey

I started working on the fan quilt blocks my mom left me this past weekend. I've been inspired and given confidence by my practice with projects from the Curves class. So, I ironed and sewed, and ironed and sewed. I have one block put together and more in process still.

one quarter of a circle

While I was working on them, I sewed together a couple of drunkard's path squares that I had cut out a couple of weeks ago. When I found the Asian print in my scrap box, it just called out for a drunkard's path. I ended up cutting two out, and I tried to make them a little bigger than the block I had made before.

my first drunkard's path effort

I starched up these pieces, hoping that would help with the sewing process, and really, I think it did. Still didn't get me out of the woods, though. I sewed my curves without much problem, but putting the pieces together - you know, with the straight seam - became problematic. I figured out a good way to square up the blocks, at least in theory. Then I had a brainstorm that would help me match the curved seams. Yeah.

maybe ironing them would help...

I did better with them on my first effort. Maybe I over-thought my process here. Maybe I learned just enough to be dangerous, so to speak. Anyway, here they are. I still love the print, and will finish them as something. Don't know yet they will be both sides of one thing, or side by side. Something, though. Definitely something. At least I'm still working on my learning curve.

Orange Peel Precise Curves

I just finished my Curves Class project for this weekend. Wow, it was a challenge for me, and I mean that in a good way. It was a challenge both on the curves and on the precision aspects. I tried out some new techniques. I discovered questions to ask about curves, and cutting them.

So here's how the project went. First, I had to choose fabric. I had ordered some fat quarters from Intrepid Thread, not to long ago, and I pulled them out. Yep, still tasty. And, they will go well with the brown that I seem to be using for background, etc for these projects. Here's a look out in the sun, yesterday.

some fun fat quarters

 Then came the cutting out of the pieces. This was where I had my issues, I think. I'm not great with straight. Astigmatism and all sometimes things that look straight to me really are NOT. Of course I wanted to showcase at least a couple of the trees on that left side fabric. I decided not to be too fussy for all four centers, because the swirls and the dots are interesting, too. Once I cut blocks, then I cut the curves out of the blocks. I used the rotary cutter, and I don't know if it is the limited practice I have or that my blade is bigger than it should be, but I had issues getting a smooth cut. Maybe limit my stack to 2? I'll be asking these questions of the instructor.

one layout

I laid out the pieces a couple of different ways, looking at how they would work best together, and show off to their best advantage. I really had planned for the brown to frame the block, and I went with that, although I continued to play with the prints. That was how far I got on Saturday.

another layout

Sunday, I started sewing. I took Rachel's advice about using starch with this project, and I think it helped a LOT. I was careful to match up centers for the "peels" when I sewed them onto the blocks and, thanks to recent practice, didn't have too much problem sewing the curves. I did go slowly to keep my curves and seam allowances pretty even. I ironed the heck out of this project at every turn. (some more advice from Rachel).

It took a little more than an hour to get the whole thing stitched together. I think it turned out pretty good. Not perfect, but pretty good! If the block looks a little wonky, that is because of my cutting, and sadly, not intentional. (Intentional wonky-ness is cool.) I'm sure the whole thing would have come out better with more practice all around, but of course if I had that practice under my belt all ready, I wouldn't need the class.

Here's the completed block.

The block is finished, but the project isn't quite completed. I still want to make it into something. Originally, I was thinking another pillow. Even though the colors on the prints have nothing to do with the prints on the clam shell pillow I made, the brown is the same. So, they could be in the same room, right? Then, I got to thinking, I've REALLY been wanting to make some tote bags. Wouldn't this block look awesome on the side of a tote bag? I think so. I still have most of the fabric from those fat quarters, and they are a nice weight to be strong enough for a bag. And I can line it in the brown. But not today, I think.