Precision Piecing Video on The Quilt Show
#1
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Has anyone else watched this video? I watched about 45 minutes yesterday and will probably finish watching it in a few days (I have to be careful how much bandwidth I use -- my internet provider will shut me down to a crawl if I over-extend). I am totally convinced that doing everything she suggests would result in perfect piecing, but I cannot imagine doing it for a whole quilt. Maybe a block or two to test a pattern, but jeez -- too tedious for me.
Does anyone here take that much care with their work? I want to be as pefect as possible within my tolerance for boredom and try for improvement with each new project. I don't expect to reach show-quality any time soon. I paralyzed myself with the need for perfection when I first started quilting. Now there is a level of accomplishment that I am satisfied with and done is better than perfect. But I am curious if anyone adheres closely to a system such as shown on the video.
I do have to admit that there were some excellent suggestions that I will use from time to time.
Does anyone here take that much care with their work? I want to be as pefect as possible within my tolerance for boredom and try for improvement with each new project. I don't expect to reach show-quality any time soon. I paralyzed myself with the need for perfection when I first started quilting. Now there is a level of accomplishment that I am satisfied with and done is better than perfect. But I am curious if anyone adheres closely to a system such as shown on the video.
I do have to admit that there were some excellent suggestions that I will use from time to time.
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 227
#4
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
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I have the Sally Collins book: "The Art of Machine Piecing" You can get a used one on amazon for under $10 including shipping. Excellent book.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Machine-Pi...+collins+quilt
My piecing is far from perfect, but I don't want to fight with it either. It's lots more fun for me if the pieces actually fit together.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Machine-Pi...+collins+quilt
My piecing is far from perfect, but I don't want to fight with it either. It's lots more fun for me if the pieces actually fit together.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Mechanicsville, IA
Posts: 1,497
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Are you a subscriber to the Quilt Show? Do you think it is worth the cost? I wonder if you can watch it on an iPad. I watch some of the YouTube quilt stuff on it at night when I can't sleep, which is most nights.
#6
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 3
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Hi DeneK,
would you be able to give us a brief rundown of what tips they said? I am having a heck of a time getting my points to match, and inspite of an accurate 1/4", my units aren't the correct size. I'm using starch, think I'm cutting accurately, I've tested my 1/4" with 4 pieces sewed together making the correct size, pinning my points .... and I'm still ripping out. I know I'm a perfectionist, but how close is 'close enough?' Thanks!
I'm also curious whether you think Quilt Show is worth the $$.
Pam
would you be able to give us a brief rundown of what tips they said? I am having a heck of a time getting my points to match, and inspite of an accurate 1/4", my units aren't the correct size. I'm using starch, think I'm cutting accurately, I've tested my 1/4" with 4 pieces sewed together making the correct size, pinning my points .... and I'm still ripping out. I know I'm a perfectionist, but how close is 'close enough?' Thanks!
I'm also curious whether you think Quilt Show is worth the $$.
Pam
#7
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I thought the tutorial with Ricky Tims showing how he makes his Rhapsody Quilts was worth my annual subscription cost... Even though I only get an abbreviated version most of the time (as I mentioned above, my internet provider does not allow sufficient bandwidth to watch things like this all the time) I still plan to renew my membership. Whether or not it's worth it depends on what you need/want to get out of it.
Several things I remember from the Sally Collins video was verifying accuracy at each step and re-doing the block until it is totally correct. Using a finer thread and #9 needle to help achieve that elusive scant 1/4" seam. Something that should be immediately evident, but which I realized I did not always do, is to be sure that your two fabric pieces are perfectly aligned before stitching. She suggests placing your initial pin across the seam line, but the rest of the pins on the seam line and not horizontally across it -- less distortion of the fabric.
I don't remember the specifics because I knew that I wasn't ready to make use of all her suggestions. I want to be as careful and accurate as I can be within my tolerance for error. I would never get anything done if it all had to be perfect. I strive for improvement with each quilt and watch videos like this to see what I might take away from them for myself. A suggestion that I am unwilling to adopt today may prove to be applicable next year (or maybe even my next quilt). And I do like being able to go back and watch again and again if I choose.
Several things I remember from the Sally Collins video was verifying accuracy at each step and re-doing the block until it is totally correct. Using a finer thread and #9 needle to help achieve that elusive scant 1/4" seam. Something that should be immediately evident, but which I realized I did not always do, is to be sure that your two fabric pieces are perfectly aligned before stitching. She suggests placing your initial pin across the seam line, but the rest of the pins on the seam line and not horizontally across it -- less distortion of the fabric.
I don't remember the specifics because I knew that I wasn't ready to make use of all her suggestions. I want to be as careful and accurate as I can be within my tolerance for error. I would never get anything done if it all had to be perfect. I strive for improvement with each quilt and watch videos like this to see what I might take away from them for myself. A suggestion that I am unwilling to adopt today may prove to be applicable next year (or maybe even my next quilt). And I do like being able to go back and watch again and again if I choose.
#9
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Just today I was thinking about what a perfectionist I am but how imperfect my cutting and sewing is. I'm making a day/night quilt and I did lots of ripping to try to get all of those points to meet - they should look okay from that galloping horse! Then today I was cutting wide strips for the backing - a five strip backing at widths of 10", 13", and 17". That seemed easy enough but even with the double ruler method and being very careful when cutting they are not perfect like I wanted them. Years ago I saw Sally Collins on Simply Quilts with Alex Anderson. Sally is an amazing piecer - I won't ever reach her level. I wish I could though. :-)
#10
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Sadly since I live in a very rural area this is my only option for internet service better than dial up. I keep hoping that someone will bring 4G service to us.
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