Friday 11 January 2013

Measure Twice...

... a lesson I clearly have not learnt!  Duff, this post is for you. 


And Sew On button

I've been threatening to try paper piecing/foundation piecing for ages, so decided to join in the paper piecing BOM over at Quiet Play.  Kirsty is very generously offering each block for free for a month, so get over there if you want to join in.  All the blocks are on a sewing theme and can be made into a little wall hanging for my craft room, much more achievable than a full quilt.


It did not go well.  There was this incident above where I sewed the piece on the wrong way, when folded back it covered the fabrics already there.


It looks like it's fine from the back... but when you see the front, you see it's not!


See?

Ooops.  I really struggled with this, the pieces of fabric were flapping all over the place, I couldn't remember which way to fold them, I cut the pieces too short and placed them badly....

It's not over.  Paper piecing, you have not won.






16 comments:

Samantha said...

Lol oops! How frustrating!!

Jane said...

Keep at it! My first attempt at paper piecing was an absolute disaster, but I worked it out and I love it now. Good luck.

Pam @Threading My Way said...

I can relate to the pieces of fabric flapping about, Wendy... LOL!!! You WILL win!!!

Celtic Thistle said...

The first block is the worst, hang on in there it will get better promise!

JoJo said...

Forge ahead!!! TOWANDA!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Wot Jane said... My first and second attempts made me hate PP. However I forced myself to try a third time and it worked beautifully and now I paper piece more often then "normal" piece and actually enjoy it of all things! Much nicer than measuring out things and cutting precisely, I don't even have to stick to a 1/4" seam. Brilliant!

Sandra :) said...

I had a terrible time learning how to paper piece, until I sat down with someone and watched her do it. THEN - it clicked :) Keep trying - wheh you get it, it'll be an AHA!!! moment :D But I still have occasional fabric oopsies when I'm doing it - I think its because we're working backwards ... and acute angles take FAR more fabric than you would think! ;)

Shirley said...

As they say, if at first you don't succeed... I remember the first time I made a meringue roulade 6 egg whites I think, it didn't come out bad but it went wrong, when I tried to roll it so I went out and bought more eggs used a different tin and did it again straight away I was so glad I did because this time it worked really well, as they are saying keep going you'll get there x

ChristaQuilts said...

What about trimming off the left side and making your block a little narrower? Who says it has to be perfectly square?

Kristy @ Quiet Play said...

Oh dear! It's an easy mistake to make! And if it makes you feel any better, still happens to me on occasion - even after all the paper piecing I've done!

Definitely stick with it! It's one of those techniques it just takes a bit of practice to get the hang of.

But your block does look great - love your fabric choices!

Melody said...

I can relate to this post. Keep going and you will triumph in the end

Joy McD said...

Hmmm.... it happens to all of us! Don't give up, you can do it :) xxx

Waterrose said...

I love paper piecing....but it can be tricky!

Anne said...

Hello, Dear! I've come to your blog from the blog of one of my sweet commenters ~ you know how that goes ~ :) ~ Now following you!
So nice to "meet" you!
Hugs,
Anne

CeLynn said...

If at first you don't succeed...try try again! you will get it :)

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I had lots of those kinds of things happen to me, too, when I first started paper piecing. Keep trying!