For some reason I
find paper piecing really hard - It's headwrecking. I constantly seem to have pieces too small
even though I check flipping them back and forward, over and back and it is so
wasteful of material. But I figured out
why I find it so difficult. I'm using
ordinary printing paper that is thick and hard to see through. So when I place my piece of fabric on the
back I'm not stitching where I thought I'd be and then when I fold the fabric
back to cover my shape its too small. So
in lieu of having any purpose made foundation paper I'm cutting bigger fabric
pieces! If anyone has a favourite way of
doing this or a favourite paper they use please let me know - I am open to all
suggestions.
Anyhoo practice
makes perfect so here's a few photos of how I got on this weekend making Doctor Who
blocks for the Doctor Who A Long over at Trillium Design and Whims andFancies. Over 200 of us have signed up
so far. Here's a link to the Flickr page
if you want to follow along. The first
block was the Tardis.
The other thing about paper piecing for me is it takes so long. I started on Friday evening just after dinner and didn't finish until well into Saturday. I had hoped to get both blocks done but not a chance! I was more diligent on the second block and took some photos. I hope to finish it this week as block 2 is due out next Tuesday.
Looks kinda funky
from the right side until all excess trimmed away at 1/4" seam.
And voila - unit G
completed.
See comments below for tips from the generous quilting community in response to above:
My friends so would LOVE this.
ReplyDeleteThat should be Friend's son not so.
ReplyDeleteHe has a bedroom with a tardis doors and a console in the middle of his room.
He has very good taste! I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the blocks as they come along. I think this would look great as a cushion for the sofa. Not sure I'm up to making another one just yet.
DeleteAbsolutely fabulous Tardis. It is worth the hassle.
ReplyDeleteThanks! The photos on flickr are all really looking great. The finished Timelord blocks are really cool too.
DeleteI´ve just bought the tardis poster to my son. Your blocks look really great, I downloaded the pattern, but it looks so complicated. Thumbs up for you.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't too bad to mark the correct colours on the pattern. I was lucky to have the perfect blues on hand for the Tardis and the orange was left over from a quilt backing. It reminds me of the opening credits with the Tardis spinning through space.
DeleteFantastic Tardis! My husband would LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, it's hard to resist this one. Quite a lot on my to do list but when I saw this on Caroline's blog I knew I had to give it a go!
DeleteYour Tardis looks great! I completely understand your frustration... I was doing the same thing (using printer paper). Caroline (from Trillium Designs) is the Corvallis Modern Quilt Guild with me and has been patiently teaching me about paper piecing. The glue is very helpful, and I just use a plain old glue stick. The other key, according to Caroline, is to use much larger pieces and don't trim until the end. My problem is always with the slanted lines, they never turn out right. Oh, and remembering to include the seam allowance! But it's great that you've finished the first one and moved on to the second... I'm still working on the first. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Connie it is the slanty ones that are catching me as well. Hopefully by the time we get to the end we'll be experts at this!
DeleteLOVE IT. My hubby and niece are big Dr Who fans. Might have to check this one out
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo. While the good Doctor takes a break over the summer it's a nice way to still fly about the universe! There's an embroidery stitch a long as well over the summer. The link to that is on the flicker thread.
Deletethe only way I can do paper piecing is to print an extra block and cut out all the pieces to use as templates. Then I cut out the fabric (printed side of template goes face up on wrong side of fabric) with a generous 3/8" seam allowance. I don't measure the seam allowance, I just cut the piece extra big. First piece is pinned to the paper, then I fold the paper back on the line and use my rotary cutter and ruler to trim to 1/4". This way when I lay the second piece on, I can line up the edges. Stitch, fold along the line between the next piece, trim. Rinse, repeat. Sorry if its confusing, it is a little hard to describe.
ReplyDeleteNo its not confusing Kaelyn I get it and its a brilliant suggestion. Thank you so much! I'll give this a try next Tuesday for the next block. Tardis, Timelord, no idea whats coming next. Thanks again!
DeleteAll I've done so far is print the pattern! Well done.
ReplyDeleteIt turned out so nice! I made a similar TARDIS block, but was disappointed it didn't have a light (here: http://sparrowlanequilts.blogspot.com/2013/05/bag-update.html ). I find paper piecing so slow, and often tedious, as well. But the results are so cool! I found this tutorial to be especially helpful, once I wrapped my head around it: http://sewhooked.com/2008/10/28/paper-piecing-step-by-step/
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links -I love your bag especially the wibbly wobbly timey stuff quilting - that is just brilliant!
DeleteFantastic!
ReplyDeleteHi Ruth, I'm not really a fan of paper-piecing as it seems to be take forever, but the blocks do come out very accurate. I used to use white tissue paper (bought from arts & crafts shops) as it's easy to see through and cheap, you just have to be careful when sewing as it's a bit fragile. What I now use is magic paper which is brilliant stuff. It looks like interfacing but is used for foundation piecing; the best thing about it is that it doesn't have to be removed after piecing - so you don't have to waste time ripping off the paper. It's a bit hard to find though. I got mine from a shop called Stitch Witch (I think) who were at last years International Quilt Festival of Ireland in Galway. The show is on again next week, so the shop might be there again.
ReplyDeleteHi Claire I'm planning on heading up to Galway on the Sunday with my mum for a noodle and will look out for Stich Witch. Thanks!
ReplyDelete