Tuesday 8 May 2012

Zakka Style Week 6 - Quilt Block Magnets

Zakka Style Sew Along

It's time to show you what I made for Week 6 of the Zakka Style Sew Along.  The link up can be found here and this week's host is Little Bluebell.


I took a quick picture after I'd finished piecing the teeny tiny squares as I had a hunch I'd destroy them when assembling them and I was right, I did!  I was quite pleased with my piecing.  OK so the points don't match perfectly, but the pieces are tiny.


And here they are all finished.  So, do you want to know the pitfalls I encountered?  Apart from the tiny pieces?

First of all, I should have backstitched at the end of each row when sewing the pieces together.  I found that some of them split when I turned them through.  Turning the corners was impossible.  What you see above is really the best I could do.

I machine quilted as it was that same old thing, I can't be doing with stopping a machine project to hand sew, then starting to machine sew again.  I'm sure they'd have looked better hand quilted but I don't really care!

Is that why I'm a rubbish sewer and even rubbisher quilter?  Because I don't care about perfection enough?  The second biggest problem I had was slip stitching the openings.  Almost impossible.  Trying to fold the top corners in and under... nightmare.  It took me AGES.  Others have suggested sewing all 4 sides WS together, then cutting a slit in the back to turn through.  Good advice, I'd suggest you take it if you haven't made these magnets already!

And finally, they don't bloody work!  They're meant to be magnets but they won't stick.  I used 2 layers of magnets as suggested and I made sure they were facing the right way, but the whole thing is just too heavy.  Fiona, I'd advise using 4 layers of the sheet, there's enough in the pack to do that!

I won't be joining in the next two weeks of the Sew Along.  Next week is a mug rug.  It's cute enough, but I don't fancy making it.  After that is a quilt.  I was going to make it using leftovers from my Ruby and Bliss layer cakes, but it just doesn't excite me enough.  The design is very simple and if I'm making something, I want to learn and be challenged.  OK, so I could attempt to match my points, but... no, I'll wait until week 9.
Colin is still poorly and off his food.  He's still hating taking his medicine.  His grandparents are taking him to the vet for his check up later, so fingers crossed he's OK.

 

19 comments:

Pam @Threading My Way said...

These are SO cute, Wendy! When I first saw them, I thought they'd make great little presents. After reading your post, maybe not. They sound too fiddly, not to mention they're not doing their job...

Celtic Thistle said...

Oh dear, it sounds like these are a lot harder than they look! Just what I need after the saga of the zigzag tote:)

Very frustrating that after all that effort they won't stick too!

They look good though :)

Christine said...

They are fabulous!!! Thanks for the backstitch tip!

Rosa said...

I think they are really cute and love the mix of fabrics and color. But.. if they dont work, well..
I don't think I'm the kind of girl who would stick fabric magnets on my refrigerator. Maybe on a magnetic plate in the craftroom:-)

Kelsey said...

These are adorable!! If only I had the patience to work with such teeny tiny pieces.

Sandra :) said...

There was no way I was taking on that particular project - I just don't do well with little blocks, LOL. I knew it would be an exercise in frustration, and I just didn't need the headaches!

JoJo said...

Those are darling! I have a friend who is an avid quilter and I posted the link to this post on her Facebook.

I hope Colin gets better soon. You must be so worried!!!!

Fiona said...

Little blocks are jolly hard to work with... ever so sweet though but what a bummer the magnet is too weak...
Hugz

Kati from Kati's Quilting said...

How big of a seam allowance did you use? I think the corners would turn easier if there was a small (say 1/8 in) seam allowance. Also, have you tried super gluing the magnet on top of the fabric so it touches the surface directly? (I don't have the book so haven't seen the directions). What do you think?

Kati from Kati's Quilting said...

Oh, and last, but not least! They look adorable matching points or not!

Allie said...

I saw those on Little Bluebell's blog and was horrified at the size, lol. I wouldn't even attempt them, so I give you full credit for it! They really are darling, Wendy, I know you said you had trouble but they are sweet. What a SHAME that they don't stick!!! You could use them as buttons, that would be cute. I hope Colin feels better soon!

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans said...

Yours turned out very cute and I had all the EXACT same problems! My magnets don't stick either so I am making mine into brooches! Stopping in from Quilt Story. www.craftyshenanigans.blogspot.co.uk

Maria said...

What a cute idea and great project! They look adorable!

Amy DeCesare said...

I read about so many of these "issues" that the tiny blocks presented. They were definitely more work than I thought they would be! Yours are truly cute, though...maybe you can glue another magnet to the back, and then they would work?

mdgtjulie said...

Those are really cute. I'm so sorry they don't work. I'd suggest adding magnet layers, but you'd have to open them all back up, and I don't think you want to do that, lol.

Nancy Lee said...

I have the book, but I am not doing the sew along. I am supporting Sandra in her sew along efforts.
I think these a cute. I would have had all the same problems, screamed, and then slung them into the bin. So, good on you for finishing!
Those little button magnets stick to everything. I gave up on the sheets of magnets. They are hopeless.
I hope Colin gets well soon.

Susie Buetow said...

Oh my goodness this is awesome! It would make a great Mother's Day gift.

We would LOVE for you to stop over and link these up in our Crafty Saturday Showcase. It is just our 2nd week. Your blog is cute and we can't wait to look around some more! I love the name of your blog!

Thank you!
Susie @Bowdabra
http://bowdabrablog.com/2012/05/12/saturday-showcase-craft-projects/

Rebecca @ Herons Crafts said...

These are adorable! What a cute idea!
Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ heronscrafts.blogspot.com

Carrie @ My Favorite Finds said...

These are so cute! I'm sorry they gave you such a fuss! Nonetheless, I featured them at this week's Handmade Tuesday's party :). Stop by, grab a button, and check it out!