hand pieced tumbling blocks
#1
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I adore the look of tumbling blocks. The Y seams are so intimidating. I have tried machine piecing and it doesn't work well for me (I have made about 20 quilts so I have some experience). For those of you who do hand pieced quilts, is it difficult to learn? Does it work well for tumbling blocks? I thought I could bring a few to do during lunch break at work each day and slowly build a quilt. Let me know what you think. Thanks!
#3
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sturbridge, Ma
Posts: 3,992
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I beleive you need to mark the seam when you are doing y seams or at least mark a dot at the y point.
I will make two templates - one for cutting out and another for the seam. Or if you cut with rotary cutter, I will be sure and mark the point where the y should be.
After awhile you will be able to eye ball it.
I will make two templates - one for cutting out and another for the seam. Or if you cut with rotary cutter, I will be sure and mark the point where the y should be.
After awhile you will be able to eye ball it.
#6
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,134
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You can do it with half diamonds (triangles, duh!). That way there are no Y-seams, just strip piecing. I think Marci Baker was the first to promote this method. Here's her video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWpSETMbws4
Or, if you don't want to do traditional piecing and deal with Y-seams, another option is to do with the English paper-piecing method.
Then you just have to whipstitch the diamonds together, either by hand or by machine.
But don't run from those Y-seams. Once you figure them out, they're a breeze. Take your time, mark your pieces, know when/where to stop, sew slowly (if by machine).
I still mark the intersections on the back of every piece. And I've done dozens of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWpSETMbws4
Or, if you don't want to do traditional piecing and deal with Y-seams, another option is to do with the English paper-piecing method.
Then you just have to whipstitch the diamonds together, either by hand or by machine.
But don't run from those Y-seams. Once you figure them out, they're a breeze. Take your time, mark your pieces, know when/where to stop, sew slowly (if by machine).
I still mark the intersections on the back of every piece. And I've done dozens of them.
#7
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it's not hard. just remember to backstich at each end so the thread doesn't come out. Oh and if your doing tumbling blocks then stop a 1/4 in from each side but, you already know that lol. Have fun and enjoy that you can officially take your work with you!
#10
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,134
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Originally Posted by happyscrappy
hand piecing is not difficult, just more time consuming, obviously.
In something like this block, though, done the traditional way, I'd have to agree with her. I was amazed watching her put together a few blocks.
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02-10-2011 06:57 PM