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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Quilter's opinion please  |
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farmkitty
True Blue Farmgirl
69 Posts
Angela
Anderson
South Carolina
USA
69 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 21 2006 : 2:19:08 PM
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| HI ya'll. I am just begining in my journey in learning quilting. I will be going to "formal" classes in January but I could not wait to get started. I bought a bundle (10) fat quarters (not cheap) at a local quilt store and was "afraid" to practice on then . I then bought some "el cheapos" at Micheal's and began cutting with my mew rotary cutter and machine piecing. I am "making" the style of quilt I have heard called "strip quilt." My problem...I have measured , cut, remeasured and sewed together with 1/4" but I can not get the thing to come up to the prescribed width . Do yall think that the cheap fat quarters are shifting/stretching/etc and that is what is throwing the measurement off? Getting discouraged..Angela |
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sewgirlie
True Blue Farmgirl
1894 Posts
Sheryl-lyn
Calverton
NY
USA
1894 Posts |
Posted - Dec 21 2006 : 4:40:01 PM
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Hi Angela:
It is almost impossible to get the blocks to all match up perfectly every time. Sometimes when we iron the fabric it does stretch and handling it will do that too. Making strips can also be a challenge since they sometimes curve a little after bring put together. What I do is just make all the blocks and then cut them all to the same size as the smallest one in the bunch. Also, your foot on the machine may not actually be 1/4 inch. It is not a big deal as long as you use the same foot (and machine) for the quilt. Just iron the blocks when you are done and make them all one size. Sometimes we are not sewing exactly straight either and we don't realize it. Just keep going and you will be happy with the results later. If you need anything at all, just post again. We are all here to help you and have been there before (and still!!) XXOO Sheryl-lyn |
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ponyexpress
True Blue Farmgirl
320 Posts
Sandy
Kirkwood
Missouri
USA
320 Posts |
Posted - Dec 21 2006 : 8:24:51 PM
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Angela - don't get discouraged! I am an experienced sewer and quilter ( 30+ years) and can still have problems with strip piecing. As Sheryl-lyn said, so much distortion can happen in the cutting, sewing and pressing process. I have found that if I keep the strips on shorter side rather than the full width of the fabric, I have better luck. Mary Ellen Hopkins coined the phrase "PPM" and I think it means personal, private measurement == that means while your sewn seam may not be exactly 1/4 inch, it should be consistent to your sewing method and machine. So, maybe your squares will be 6 1/4 inches rather than 6 1/2 inches. Just be consistent, and remember to take the differences into consideration when measuring for borders, etc.
DON"T throw away those beginner strips and patches. Today, the current trend in "art quilts" is the free form, curvy-wavy, nothing matches look. Little did you realize, that you were beginning your own "art quilt".
Sandy in Missouri
I'm at that age where I need my own warning label! |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2006 : 06:23:31 AM
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Angela- Another thing that caused the distortion might have been the fiber content of the "cheap" fabric. Sometimes they sneak in some blends and they each have their own "stretchability" as you sew. Always use 100% cotton for starters and you should have equal "give" from piece to piece. I agree with the comment about being consistent as you sew, whatever seam allowance you are comfortable with. I tend to cut a bit larger because I like to have something to work with if I ever need to repair. Quilts get hard use at my house, we use them, wash them and don't baby them so they need to stay stitched! Only the antique ones get special treatment! Don't get frustrated, quilting is so much fun and we've all had a project (or 2 or 3 or...)
that had some bumps along the road. Turn your strips into a cute tote bag or pillow!
with a happy heart |
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pinkroses
True Blue Farmgirl
2350 Posts
Sheila
Virginia
USA
2350 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2006 : 5:13:44 PM
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I agree. Don't give in.
Keep at it and yours will be perfect.
I have quilted and sewn for years and still have problems at times.
So, I am not perfect.
It is the enjoyment we get out of making and sewing. pinkroses |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Quilter's opinion please |
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Quilter's opinion please
