I need some Grandmother's flower garden help....
#1
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I'm having an issue when I'm doing my English paper piecing grandmother's flower garden.
When I piece the individual flowers, I do right sides together with the petals, and everything lays flat. But when I try to connect my flowers together with two petals right sides together, my flowers never lay flat, they bend outwards and I can't flatten them.
Then I have to piece them by placing them both flat on the table, right sides down, and whip stitching them together. I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong, and why I can't stitch my flowers right sides together when I'm attaching them? Why aren't they laying flat?
When I piece the individual flowers, I do right sides together with the petals, and everything lays flat. But when I try to connect my flowers together with two petals right sides together, my flowers never lay flat, they bend outwards and I can't flatten them.
Then I have to piece them by placing them both flat on the table, right sides down, and whip stitching them together. I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong, and why I can't stitch my flowers right sides together when I'm attaching them? Why aren't they laying flat?
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,521
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Are you paper pieces die cut or did you cut them with scissors? Even slight variations on the hexagon sides can effect fit. There are lots of videos on YouTube on stitching them together, perhaps they will have some hints.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: North Idaho
Posts: 1,693
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When you are holding them right sides together, double check and make sure all the other edges are lining up. it is easier to "split the difference" from the start than try to squeeze in something that is "off" later. You may find that they lay flatter after you take the paper pieces out, too.
#5
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Are you EPP? Be sure your pieces are secured to the papers. If you are not EPP and doing them with open stitches press them well as you connect them. I do not do EPP for the most part as the papers are in my way. Also I am left handed and that does make a difference when stitching things together. Be sure to mark well you joint points. That also will help you. This is a quilt of precision. Go slow, I am sure you will get it.
It has been a while since I made a GMFG quilt. The one in my avatar is a King size one I made. It was a travel along project that went with me to appointments and the such or long car rides. Great project for travel
It has been a while since I made a GMFG quilt. The one in my avatar is a King size one I made. It was a travel along project that went with me to appointments and the such or long car rides. Great project for travel
#8
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,529
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I've never been happy with the quality of my EPP when I whipstitch it. I started using the ladder stitch and am much happier with my work product. My good quilting friend uses a stitch called a flat back stitch.
#9
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I've kind of experimented with the binding stitch just to see how it would work, and it came out pretty decent...