I then created a new temporary design wall in the spare bedroom. Except I have a friend coming to stay next weekend. If that isn't enough incentive to get this quilt sewn together, I don't know what is. If you're familiar with the quilt, you'd see that I have cut diamonds for the outer border (the bright blue and pink spot) so that I can trim them straight later on. In the book, Kaffe says I should be cutting out shapes from templates so they "fit in" the gaps, but I am refusing to take sewing advice from someone who doesn't even sew his own quilts. Fabric wastage be damned.
A quilter friend told me a couple of months ago about pressing your seams open - she'd been to a workshop with Brenda Henning where this had been discussed. A few text messages flew back and forth between us this afternoon, and I decided to give it a go. Unfortunately it didn't work out as well as I wanted it to, mainly because of the diagonal seams doing my head in a little. So the seams are now pressed to one side.
This is my little finger pressing tool*. It's brilliant - and it beats using an iron (which only stretches your fabrics anyway - I leave my ironing until larger segments are sewn together).
There are a lot of pins used in making this quilt. I want to make the effort in trying to make my points match up (I am failing at this, but Brianna has already made her quilt from the class and assures me it will all work out in the end!)
It's very slow going. This quilt is testing both my patience and my ability to eyeball a 1/4 inch seam and pin through it. I shall persevere though, if only for the fact that I think it will look spectacular once it's done. And once it's done I can get on with making more quilts.
*In case you were wondering, it's a Clover pressing tool.
I love putting quilts together but I'm absolutely hopeless at picking colours - you've picked colours and prints and they all look amazing together!!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see this one finished - what have you got planned for the quilting of this one?
It will look spectacular once done - so worth the effort!
ReplyDeleteAnd look at that nifty finger pressing tool! Where does one purchase such a wonder? (for all of my so far imaginary quilting, heh!). And do you use it on the right side or the wrong side or both?
I can't wait to see the finished quilt- and I might try out your handy tip on the finger pressing tool- I have one from when we did paper pieced hexagons at Brown Owls and never even thought to use it for pressing seams open. Hope you are feeling well xo
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely so far. Hope you managed to get it all done before you have to move it off the bed.
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely! You always make such very inspiring stuff...
ReplyDeleteOh, and I love my little Clover finger pressing thingy too - it's so handy.
Hi Michelle - I was on the same workshop (seated 2 down from you). I had the slightly confused quilt (had the lemons on deep blue in it). Brandon and Kaffe had quite different ideas on two particular lines of colour in it! I finally decided which way to go (yeah, Kaffe's suggestion)- it worked out really well and the diamonds weren't as big a pain as I had initially thought to sew. Need to chase up the little pressing tool you have. Yours is looking great and thanks for putting Brianna's up - it was lovely.
ReplyDeleteClearly you read my mind, because as soon as I read about the finger pressing tool, I wondered what brand it was (so I could buy one). So nifty!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing how your quilt turns out!
It's coming together so well :-)
ReplyDeleteWow. Your quilt is beautiful. I love the colours and the changes of colour. Kaffe's fabrics really are amazing (even if he doesn't sew - gasp). If you get a mo...and could share about the design wall...what is the half-made quilt hanging on? It seems a good idea to lay it out like that so you can see it but what's making it hang up? (sorry if this sounds really dense!)
ReplyDeleteWow, just wow. This is so beautiful! I love the fabric you have picked.
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful, lovely fabrics and colours together. I went to the Kaffe Fassett lecture when he was last here, I found him to be so inspiring, his use of colour is pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing the quilt finished - as I'm sure you are .D