Wednesday 14 May 2014

Wednesday WIP





Note to self: when signing up for swaps and then sewing for your partner, it is generally easier to make things within your area of expertise.

I have  long admired some of the fabulous New York Beauty blocks I have seen turned into mini quilts and cushions. Knowing that they were paper pieced, and now that I am comfortable attempting paper-piecing, I thought I'd be able to sew these, easy peasy. The triangular points, no problem, they were fun.   Not so the curved rings and borders.   After unpicking the block I completed over the weekend, cos I wasn't happy with it, repinning it and trying again, I was almost ready to throw it out. Time for a different tactic.  I have since learned, that for me pinning well, then hand basting, removing the pins and then sewing the curves is giving me a lot more even and flatter sitting rings. They are not perfect, but I am so much happier with how they look. I still have some more borders and centres to add, then the decision as to whether it is a cushion or mini quilt.  Luckily I have a little time to work on this.  Stay tuned.

Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

9 comments:

  1. Hi Julie, They look good to me. I know what you mean though. I used a template for hand piecing a sunburst block by Meredith Clarke and it was fantastic and it also had the corner piece to make it square. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. a new york beauty is high on my bucket list since years, but Im so scared of it,
    yours looks so amazing, really love it

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your colour choices are looking great but I can also imagine your frustration at the curves....

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think this is just beautiful and you did an amazing job! I have this on my bucket list of things I want to try as well!

    Stopping by from Lee's hop http://domesticdeficitdisorder.blogspot.com/2014/05/wip-wednesday-may-14th.html

    ReplyDelete
  5. I find the curves pretty tricksy, too! A lot of pins and some very careful and slow sewing. But your NYB block looks lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow. I'm still too scared of curves. And hand basting before taking the pins out sounds like a ton of work. Good for you for persevering!

    ReplyDelete
  7. How do you do it!!! I tried to sew in the round and it was a nightmare!!! I so admire your talent!!! It is beautiful! Nicole xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  8. I agree with Nicole, how do you do it? I also admire your talent and patience.
    Carla

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh my goodness ... what a lucky swap partner!!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are always read and very much appreciated. I will always endeavour to reply by email unless you happen to be a no-reply blogger. Thank you.