Tuesday 17 June 2008

10 things I now know about foundation piecing

I made my first ever foundation piecing block and really, learnt a lot. So here are the 10 things I now know about foundation piecing.

1. Even though your printer manual says is will print onto tracing paper, it is nigh on impossible! You are way better off printing it onto paper and then transferring it yourself. You will save a heap of time this way.

2. It's really easy to underestimate the size of fabric you need. Even when you think you've got it right - chances are it's wrong!

3. You seem waste a lot of fabric paper piecing - or at least I do! This may be related to point number 2!

4. Sew along the whole line!! (yeah, I know, kinda obvious!)

5. You can iron tracing paper - I never knew that!

6. Once you work out what you are doing - a foundation pieced block comes together pretty quickly!

7. Unpicking a foundation pieced block is scary - what happens if you rip the paper!

8. It is worth checking the instructions every time you start a new piece - this will lead to less of number 7.

9. Removing the paper from the completed block whilst scary, is nowhere near as difficult as it sounds.

10. While doing one block using foundation piecing was ok, I think it will be a long time before I even imagine doing a whole quilt!

And now the result:

I can't tell you what it's for, it's a secret. I did get the pattern off this site called Quilt Blocks Galore. The block is called Hide N Go Seek. Heaps of inspiration on this site, lots to try.

I've also been working on Luke's frog quilt. As I explained here, I was having a few problems getting things to line up. Well, I persevered and finally got the top finished!

Problem was when I laid it on Luke's bed, it wasn't quite long enough! So I hopped onto Bug Fabric and ordered another 5 frogs to make another row. They were washed and ironed yesterday so hopefully I'll get to this soon.

Finally, I stole an idea from AJ who borrowed it from Helen who borrowed it from Sheridan which is where I will stop! Anyway, I liked it, so thought I would have a go too!

The concept:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name.


4 comments:

Emma said...

Love the frog quilt - fabulous design!

Belinda said...

The frog quilt is gorgeous. Well done on the foundation piecing, that is something I have yet to try!

Lily Mulholland said...

I'm about to attempt my first go at foundation piecing so this is great advice!

Austysmum said...

Luke's quilt is looing gorgeous! On the PP'ing - I nnever tought about printing oto tracing paper. I printed then traced. Also you're not alone on using too much fabbric!