Can't seem to get things right today!!!
04-15-2015, 05:19 PM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,472
Did you starch your pieces? Being that hst's have bias sides, a stiff starch will help keep them from stretching & make them much easier to work with!! I starch the fabric until the pieces are like a lightweight cardboard! I hope this helps! I know it can sometimes be frustrating, but hang in there! You'll get better! :-) I did!
04-16-2015, 03:50 AM
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 673
Thanks for all the great advice.
I could try gluing. I've done that before to match seams. Actually it is supposed to go on a stand. So I could just glue the whole thing together. Ha
I could try thinner thread. I've never done that before. What about serger thread? Is that a good weight? I have huge spools of that.
I didn't think about the fact that the HST's could have bias edges at this point. Starch? Hmm. Never found one that doesn't stink me out. So I haven't starched.
I've learned that picking a small project isn't necessarily an easy project. Seems it can be harder and as much work as a whole bed quilt.
Fortunately it was only $15 for the kit. And there is a lot of 30's fabrics leftover. Any great patterns out there for 30's fabrics?
SVAL
I could try gluing. I've done that before to match seams. Actually it is supposed to go on a stand. So I could just glue the whole thing together. Ha
I could try thinner thread. I've never done that before. What about serger thread? Is that a good weight? I have huge spools of that.
I didn't think about the fact that the HST's could have bias edges at this point. Starch? Hmm. Never found one that doesn't stink me out. So I haven't starched.
I've learned that picking a small project isn't necessarily an easy project. Seems it can be harder and as much work as a whole bed quilt.
Fortunately it was only $15 for the kit. And there is a lot of 30's fabrics leftover. Any great patterns out there for 30's fabrics?
SVAL
04-16-2015, 05:11 AM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
I discovered once, when the same thing was happening to me, that my fabric was 'drifting' to the left as I sewed a seam. The seam started out as being 1/4 inch, but then at the end of every piece, it was much narrower. This caused the curvy thing. I have learned to use my left finger as a guide to try to keep the fabric straight, especially when sewing HST's. Some people use stilettos for this.
Good Luck.
04-16-2015, 05:56 AM
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 673
Thank you to everyone who offered advice. Today is a better day and I'm conquering it.
I tried the glue at first. But then found I wanted to press the seams open to reduce the bulk. So went back to no pins and no glue. Just a leader. I worked hard to find just the right seam allowance.
So it's going well.
SVAL
I tried the glue at first. But then found I wanted to press the seams open to reduce the bulk. So went back to no pins and no glue. Just a leader. I worked hard to find just the right seam allowance.
So it's going well.
SVAL
04-16-2015, 06:33 AM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Heart of Colorado's majestic mountains!
Posts: 6,026
I like Jan's idea. It really works.I think it is important to not make too many units of anything until you have made the square or unit completely. Then, you can adjust before moving on. It is disheartening to have to redo lots of units over a small error in cutting or stitching. Sew slowly.
04-16-2015, 07:55 AM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Florida - formerly Montana
Posts: 3,504
Thank you to everyone who offered advice. Today is a better day and I'm conquering it.
I tried the glue at first. But then found I wanted to press the seams open to reduce the bulk. So went back to no pins and no glue. Just a leader. I worked hard to find just the right seam allowance.
So it's going well.
SVAL
I tried the glue at first. But then found I wanted to press the seams open to reduce the bulk. So went back to no pins and no glue. Just a leader. I worked hard to find just the right seam allowance.
So it's going well.
SVAL
04-16-2015, 09:19 PM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Centerville, WA
Posts: 1,254
So glad to hear things are going better for you today & to tell you not to give up. Every quilter has days like you have had. It is just best to walk away from it a day or two & then go for it again. You can always vent here. We are happy to listen & help whenever we can.
04-17-2015, 02:16 AM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: lehigh valley pa
Posts: 1,481
Some days the universe/fabric/design/gremlins/your first cousins just want you to do something else.
Thumb your nose at them, head off in another pleasureable direction: go buy fabric, eat lunch out, visit your best friend, go to a movie, change the decor in your bedroom, sit outside in the sun and read a great book, cut coupons....anything that will distract you happily and tell the first part that it isn't in charge of your day! Tomorrow is a new one.
Jan in VA
Thumb your nose at them, head off in another pleasureable direction: go buy fabric, eat lunch out, visit your best friend, go to a movie, change the decor in your bedroom, sit outside in the sun and read a great book, cut coupons....anything that will distract you happily and tell the first part that it isn't in charge of your day! Tomorrow is a new one.
Jan in VA
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