Now, on to a new-ish, but not completely new WIP....
Happy Wednesday to you!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
better
Thanks so much for all your tips and suggestions on my straight line quilting problems. I found a variety of things from the comments helped. The main thing that helped was slowing down. It's hard to slow down! Beth knows all about this. :) I also found that guiding the quilt from the sides helped immensely. I had been pulling the quilt from behind the walking foot and rushing things. Not good. Letting the walking foot do the work is really hard, but really important. One last thing that I observed is that the stitches pulled worse on the white fabric, (which is quilter's only solids from JoAnn's) vs. the tan fabric, (which is a Wendover solid from Hancock Fabrics). All those little factors added up and contributed to my quilting mess. I did some stitch ripping and requilting and things are better. Not perfect, but better. Next time I will be definitely trying some 505 spray baste. Thanks for weighing it-it really helped me through!
Now, on to a new-ish, but not completely new WIP....
I started piecing all these little snippets into strings months ago, and today I finally got back to them. I had a fun time assembling the first block. So far, it looks better than I imagined. Here's hoping the rest of the quilt follows suit. I'm super excited about this one! Probably because it combines two of my favorites...little scraps and solids. I can't wait to make a few (or a LOT) more!!! Thankfully, I have NO shortage of scraps. :)
Happy Wednesday to you!
Now, on to a new-ish, but not completely new WIP....
Happy Wednesday to you!
Such a wonderful block - it looks like a great way to use up a lot of little scraps!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. I think it might be good for a potholder, too.
ReplyDeleteI love that block! How do you think of this stuff?
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a game board - lIke Candyland! So cute!
ReplyDeleteAnd would you believe I have a little vintage cigar box on my sewing table that I throw each little scrap in and when it's full it will say, "Send me to Amanda Jean"!!
ReplyDeleteJan, it's funny that you would say that. It was inspired by a pot holder that I made for a swap earlier this year. :)
ReplyDeleteNo shortage of scraps! I hear ya! I had to make a rule for myself eventually. No scrap goes in the scrap box if it is smaller than my hand. OK, the palm of my hand. It KILLS me to throw away fabric!
ReplyDeletegreat block! My imagination is running wild with it! ;)
ReplyDeleteI just straight line quilted some table runners. Smaller projects for sure, but I read all the suggestions made to you and I think the one that helped me the most was the tension. I loosened my tension a bit and didn't get any pulling that I have gotten in the past. I am so happy I read your blog before I quilted that project.
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT idea for using little scraps!! It looks so modern, yet deliciously scrappy!
ReplyDeleteDeb
Beautiful work. I love the way you turn those little scraps into a block that looks so perfect.
ReplyDeleteVery cute block! Love the angles, too.
ReplyDeleteLove everything about this little block! I love the light green solid background and just your colors! The wonkiness is really sweet too! I can't wait to see what you end up with. Truly, how DO you think up all these projects????
ReplyDeleteI love your little WIP! I've been messing around with something similar, but trying X's in the blocks. I like your idea SO much better...really cute and fresh. God knows I have the tiny scraps...I save EVERY little morsel. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteIn stitches,
Teresa :o)
Great tips! I have to say that I've had less trouble with warped straight lines when I use basting spray to baste my quilt. I also try to go slow as well, but I'm going to remember these other tips, so thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove your new project! Such a cool way to incorporate little pieces into such a great design, especially popping of that cheerful solid!
straight line quilting can be so boring that it is tempting to rush it along. i'm sorry you were stuck with pulling stitches out. that sounds terrible. but, it looks like you distracted yourself with a delicious scrappy/solid project. it makes me think of lime sherbet with sprinkles :)
ReplyDeleteI love this block. It looks like something I could actually do! Anything to get through some scraps.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that the quilting got better :) Your block is really cool. I'm wondering if the other blocks are going to have the scrappy pieces all in the same place or in different places. I'm anxiously waiting to see what the others look like :)
ReplyDeleteI started some scrappy strips like yours, too... we must be on the same wave length. I have only 2 little strips done, and I cheated and used adding machine tape to keep me on the straight and narrow. Mine are probably bigger though, unless your block is really big.
ReplyDeleteYou have such cheery scraps!
Hugs,
From one scrap lover to another, you know something this sweet makes my heart beat faster. ;o) LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteFYI on using the 505 - sometimes it gums up your needle. Just check the needle and clean occasionally and you're good to go.
ReplyDeleteFun way to use up your scraps.
ReplyDeleteScraps, scraps, everywhere. I, too, hate to waste any little bit of my fabric...I've had to start making sure I could get at least a 2" square out of them...otherwise, they just accumulate. Someday I'll have enough of my many varied scrap squares to actually piece it together...
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this block! I want one...or more!
I love these blocks! I have a difficult time tossing scraps and I always look to you for ideas. I already have the Ticker Tape quilt in mind, now this one too. I love your ideas. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAs usual your readers came up with some fantastic solutions and by way of them, I learned a lot. This block is wonderful. It's going to be striking with "friends."
ReplyDeleteHello some time to follow their work and how they convey their problems just like all of us, I do not have commented earlier and praised his work is the different language that I have not mastered English very well but I love your work and why I am here to tell him. I'm learning at the beginning of patchwork but I learned a lot with him.
ReplyDeleteI have two blogs where you can see my work simple.
http://gatinhosvoadores.blogspot.com/
http://crochedadodo.blogspot.com/
I've been doing a quilt of stars who taught
thanks for your sharing sabodoria
hug
Aldora
Love this quilt. Big preponderance of the day: How does one politely beg quilters to let go of their selvages for a person who only see herself making selvage quilts? I made one and now the rest of the tribe want quilts made by mom and my gifted box of selvages is almost gone. Now, back to the "Candy Land" squares.....how did you do it? (I am a real novice). Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMy question is about scrappy quilts. I love this block and have seen the others you made since this first one was done. Do you choose the colors that you use in each block, or do you reach into a bag and sew it together? These fabrics just seem to go so well together even tho scrappy so it makes me wonder about selecting. How did you come to the final size of the block? Is each one a different lay out, or did you make a pattern for the solid pieces of fabric? Did you make this up yourself? I love so much of what you do, can't think of any quilt that I didn't like. Thank you for your inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI know you took a break from blogging for awhile. I missed you while you were gone and checked back frequently. I am so glad you're back. Just thought I'd throw that in, too!
jeri
jcleveland03@comcast.net
Very nice idea! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletegroetjes
Annemieke
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