Me and the kids are on spring break this week. Yay! We're not going on vacation, but I am on sewcation! I am really loving how this quilt along project is turning out! I used Kona cotton( I can't remember the exact color...it looks like an eggplant color), and Isacord Peacock thread which I bought for another project( The color didn't quite work out so I'm using it here).
I am getting much better at feathers! I have found that I do better with them if I Start out upside down, like you would make a heart upside down. But on this project, In the middle of the project, I tried something a little different.
I went sideways. And, WOW, was it a lot easier. I could see so much better! I'm not sure how it would have turned out if these lines weren't marked, but i think I will try it out!
Last week I marked my project with chalk. I really like chalk, because, so far in my experience, it stays on long enough to quilt, but as soon as you have quilted, the marked lines are pretty much gone. Very easy removal! I don't believe the chalk I have been using are the same as the chalk pencils that Leah mentioned in her post about the Dutchess.( Correct me if I'm wrong, Leah!) I have bought those pencils before, and I couldn't really get a good mark. they seemed a bit waxy, more like colored pencils, and I just didn't even want to go there!
I have been doing the FREE Craftsy BOM. Here is my Belkan Puzzle Block. I really LOVE this block. I may do a whole quilt in this block in the future. I did, however, run in to a few problems. My first problem was with bulky seams. Particularly, where many seams meet. Leah has mentioned in her posts before that she presses all of her seams open. Somewhere along the lines, I had it in my head to press to one side. I decided to press open this time. I really like this method. The seams seem to stay flat better. But......
this seam had 7 intersections. BULKY!
Second problem was when I went to square up my block to 12 1/2 in. it was short by a 1/4 in.!
Yikes! I went back to the Craftsy video. Every one seemed to be having the same problem. The suggestion was to use a
SCANT 1/4 inch seam. This kinda broke my heart because I purchased a 1/4 inch foot( which I used in the first place). Not only did Amy mention that we should use a scant 1/4 in seam on this block, but ALL quilt blocks because this is standard for quilting.
THEN WHY THE HECK DON'T THEY MAKE A SCANT 1/4 IN FOOT??????? Sorry, just had to put that out there.
Back to the drawing board. After watching a few youtube videos on how to mark my machine for a scant 1/4 in seam. I made another block. I used Sewing Edge.
With my second block i pressed to one side. My multiple seamed intersections worked out a bit better, but still bulky. I think I would rather have it bulky in just a few areas, than on ALL of the seams. Also, using a scant 1/4 in seam seemed to fix the problem of my block being to samll. But I am not happy about doing a scant 1/4 in seam.
Now my questions for Leah. These questions have nothing to do with the project at hand, but rather my BOM problems. Hope that is OK.
Do you use a scant 1/4 of an inch? It seems to me this would only be required of you wanted you block an exact size, or with a sampler quilt, or BOM.
Second question is Do you Always open your seams, and based on the photo above with open seams with the 7 intersection, could I have gotten it any flatter ?
Oh, I almost forgot, here is what I learned this week. In last weeks post I said I didn't like marking the quilt. BUT... I learned that marking makes FMQ so easy, consistent, and gorgeous! I am definintely willing to mark a quilt if I want it to have a particular pattern or look. It was nice to not have to think about where I was going to stitch next. like Leah has said, what you save in time for one thing, you will make up in another. Or vice versa. what I spent in time on marking, I saved in thinking about my next stitch! Also, i am getting much better with straight stitching a line with FMQ and traveling!!!!
Welp, thats all folks! Back to my sewcation:D
Wow, your quilting looks fabulous. Sounds like you had a much easier time with it than I did. I like your Craftsy block. I almost always press my seams to one side, but I have found some blocks work better pressed open and vice-versa. I don't have a 1/4" foot, I move my needle. Most things I stitch at 7.0 setting (scant 1/4"). Other things like binding I set at 6.0 setting. I think it depends on what you are making. Happy sewcation!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the input Pat! My new machine does not have the capability of moving the needle! Its purely a straight stitch machine. It does have the ability for needle up/down, and cutting the thread, and an awesome straight stitch. But any other luxuries, NOPE! I just hope my SCANT marks were scant enough!! haha
DeleteYour quilting looks great!! I will have to try chalk the next time I mark my fabric, sounds like it works pretty well. I used one of the frixion pens and it disappears when I iron it but like Leah pointed out it will come back if the quilt gets really cold. It doesn't get that cold here so I think it will be ok, but I'm looking for other options for the future.
ReplyDeleteI love the pink fabrics you choose for your BOM. I was always taught to press my seems to the darker fabric but since Leah's post about this I have been pressing open and really like it. I guess I will see what you mean when I start my Craftsy BOM March blocks. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your blocks! :)
I haven't tried the frixon pens but I would suggest you try something other that ironing. Maybe a hairdryer?? Here's why. I was making a little potholder. After I quilted it, It had a few bubbles I wanted to try to get out. So I ironed it. I DID NOT LIKE THE LOOK! It mashed down all of my pretty quilting! It's just an idea, I have no clue if it will work.But all you will be out is a couple of minutes, because everyone owns a hairdryer right?
DeleteDanielle you feather quilting looks great. Your stitches seems to so perfect. You sound just like me in stitching feathers. During SewCalGal's February challenge I found out that it was easier for me to quilt the feathers upside-down as well. For this weeks Leah's project I did try the sideways feathers and it did seem easier with quilt markings. Wow, we have another thing in common.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Peacock isacord thread, I was thinking of buying it for one of baby/toddler quilt, but your pics show that they're are really light color. Is this the same in person too? I would expect peacock color to be dark and vibrant.
I love your block too. The colors are awesome!
Thank you! Yes, sideways feathers seemed to go so much smoother. I will have to try without marking them and see how it goes! As for the thread, Yes It was lighter than I had hoped. But I ordered it on line, and the cost of shipping was not worth sending back. I found that our local Bernina shop sells Isacord. Not every color, but enough. I ended up picking up Isacord Carribean to go with the project I bought the peacock for. Its more of a teal color. I could send you a sis by side picture if you want.I know that picking out thread color online can be tricky!Upon talking to the store owner, She said that with tread, It is better to go darker, because it always stitches lighter than it looks on the spool. Something to think about;)
DeleteTu trabajo está quedando estupendo, ya no tienes problemas con las plumas y después de tu comentario probaré el sistema de la tiza. Respecto a las costuras dicen que en patchwork siempre las costuras hacia un lado pero cuando se juntan muchas en un punto yo también las abro para que queden un poco menos abultadas. De todas formas hay un montón de telas y creo que no es posible que puedan quedar perfectamente planas. Una vez montado y terminado tampoco son tan apreciables esas montañitas y sigue quedando una agradable mantita para protegernos del frío. Gracias por tu comentario en mi blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jacquelin! i put a Google translator on my page. You should put one on yours. I could not read your blog. Learning Spanish is on my to do list!! :)
DeleteNice start on the BOM! Don't stress about the 1/4 in too much, if all your blocks end up the same size it'll be ok. One persons' 'scant' is gonna be different than the nexts' because of the feet used and most important - the thread used. I use 60 wt 3ply Presencia. It is very fine but very strong because it is 3ply. I took a class with Harriet Hargrave recently,she had us sew a seam using a regular 50wt 2ply cotton first, this is the thread most often sold to piece with. Then she had us sew a seam using the Presencia. The seam with the 50 wt was smaller than the one with the 60 wt because of the bulk of the thread. Since Harriet's class, I now use nothing else when piecing. Try it, you'll love it too! Happy quilting!
ReplyDeleteI changed to isacord thread to piece. Much thinner! I was using coats and clark 100% cotton. It really looked thicker as I stitched. i will have to try your thread suggestion! I have become a thread junkie lately:) Thanks!!!!
DeleteI totally agree with the scant 1/4" foot! As someone said above...your thread does make a big difference.
ReplyDeleteyes! I changed to a thinner thread and marked to a scant 1/4 in. it all helped:)
DeleteIt's funny, I did not measure my Balkan Puzzle after I finished it. Now I'm wondering. Also, I use an HST square ruler for squaring off which has a ridge in the center that grabs the HST (and I make them a little bigger than finished size) so that they come out perfect. Also, when I use this device (called Bloc Loc) it doesn't work well if the seams are pressed open (it doesn't catch). I also think that if your iron is a good steamer, there is no need to press open, it will usually flatten anything. Of course, my iron wasn't cheap. Regarding the chalk, I use one of those too, but it is hard to make curves. I think it's meant for straight lines. (btw, I agree with you on the coloured pencils, they indent my fabric and are hard to see). BTW, your FMQ is to die for!!!
ReplyDeleteOK, first of all what is HST??? I will have to google the Bloc Loc! I saw you iron on one of your pics. I would love to have that iron!! I just bought a bottom of the line Rowenta at Lowes($40). I dropped my old one so water leaked out of it :O And hey, you won another blog giveaway! I saw it last night! I can't remember which one! You lucky duck!!!!And thanks for your last comment!!:)
DeleteOh, I see half Square Triangle=HST haha
DeleteYour FMQ looks beautiful! Thinner thread makes a difference in your seams...just use the same thread with all your blocks. Sometimes I press seams open and sometimes to one side, it depends on what I am doing. There is a lot of quilting that you don't need a pattern for but I enjoy using a pattern for intricate designs and chalk works great!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I did switch to a thinner thread, and marked that stupid scant line the second time around:)
ReplyDelete