Wednesday 28 March 2012

Webs and WIP's

The second March block for the Craftsy BOM is finished, I am finally ahead! This time it was a Broken Spider's Web block using foundation piecing, aargh!! Instead of adapting the block again for paper piecing I decided to meet my nemesis head on and have another go at foundation piecing, this time using a more robust fabric for the base, in the hope that that would sort out the previous problems.

Well it did, up to a point (sorry no pun intended!). The fabric still stretched on the bias edge so putting the triangles together still involved a bit of manipulation, but it was definitely less stressful than my previous attempt at foundation piecing. I prefer paper piecing though :)

The Craftsy BOM is billed as being suitable for absolute beginners and I can see from the comments posted on the website that this is the first time that many of the participants have ever attempted quilting. Whilst I am definitely no expert, I think that there is a large capacity for problems, especially for beginners, when you are cutting and/or sewing many of the pieces involved in these blocks on the bias. Then again, maybe that is just me!

We are heading off to Tallinn for a couple of days, which is always a pleasure. I was hoping to have my copy of Zakka style before the trip so that I could stock up on linen, but no sign of it yet. Fingers crossed it arrives before the SAL starts.

Hopefully the trip will include a sprinkling of sightseeing with a few coffee stops thrown in (or maybe, even, the other way around!).


 With maybe a bit of retail therapy thrown in, on my last visit there a couple of months ago I found a shop selling American patchwork magazines, so I am hoping to treat myself to some on this trip too. In Riga, I can only get German patchwork magazines, and neither my schoolgirl German nor Google Translate are up to the task of translating sewing terms!


As another Wednesday has come around it is time to work out what I have been spending all my time on. I already know the answer to that one - paper piecing!

Anyhow here is how my list of WIP's stand at the moment

Completed

  • Reindeer Cushion
  • Shades of Green, Fleur Bleu, Checkered Heart and Orange cushions 
  • Orphan Block needle roll 
  • Pieced arc tea towel  
  • Yo-yo maker purse 
  • Padded hangers and tutorial
  • Sew Happy QAL quilt (My March WIP of 12 WIP's in 2012!)
Ongoing 

  • 3 blocks of In Color Order HST BOM (up-to-date) 
  • (Almost) Irish Chain quilt now basted 
  • 5 blocks of FPPFTT completed (on schedule)
  • First border of teatime quilt completed, blocks calculated and half cut (the fabric that is not me!)
  • 3 blocks of NY Beauty QAL completed (on schedule)
  • 6 blocks of Craftsy BOM completed (on schedule)
Waiting 

  • Indigo, yellow and violet rainbow cushions - Yellow fabric in post
  • Last block of Sampler quilt - no progress but it is in the UK and I am back in Latvia!
  • Sunflower Quilt
  • Amy Butler bag 
  • Bag Making Bible Fashionista Bag 
  • Dragon Bag
  • Patchwork Block bag
  • Christmas mini quilts
  • Zakka-style Sew a Long (starts April 2nd) 


Hope you are all making progress too.


Linking up to TNT Thursday

    13 comments:

    1. It's a lovely block, Fiona - looks well worth the effort.

      If you have any German sewing instructions that you need help with, let me know. I'm fairly fluent and should be able to translate them (not that I've ever read a German sewing pattern before!).

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    2. Looks great Fiona. I too thought the foundation piecing was just ok - I particularly didn't like the weight of the block since it is so much heavier. I do like this block and I think so far just by the looks it is my favorite we've done so far. Have a great day!

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    3. Yay for being ahead! I admire your trying foundation piecing again, it looks great! I really like the black in the block. That coffee looks soooo good. I'm going to have to make myself another cup now!

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    4. Well done for tackling your nemesis again (but I still love that you love paper piecing more ;o) ) Have a fab trip!

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    5. Your web block looks great! I wasn't too keen on the foundation piecing either - didn't like how it made the block heavier plus it felt like a waste of fabric.

      Enjoy your trip and hope you find some fab quilting magazines!

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    6. I got my book yesterday, is it too late? have you already left for Tallinn? I love Tallinn!

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    7. This block is looking great - you've lots of fab projects on the go :)

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    8. your block is beautiful!!! Love it!!!

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    9. Great looking block! It really does look a little intimidating though... not sure I'd even attempt something like that.

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    10. I love the colours in your spiderweb!!!

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    11. I love the photo of Tallinn! I have been wanting to do an applique piece with onion dome buildings and your photo is calling me. Thanks so much for sharing.

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    12. I follow Craftsy BOM too, but just watching the videos, not actually sewing the blocks. I like your spiderweb, and as you, I think it could be made with Paper piecing instead of foundation. Nice colors, it looks great.

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