Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Pictures
  • More Practice and Lessons Learned >
  • More Practice and Lessons Learned

  • More Practice and Lessons Learned

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 08-31-2009, 06:48 PM
      #21  
    Super Member
     
    Marcia's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jun 2008
    Location: Georgia
    Posts: 5,552
    Default

    I am glad to hear that you are persevering and not giving up---that persistence is what will make you a great quilter!! Just keep working at it! Your blocks are looking good.
    Marcia is offline  
    Old 08-31-2009, 06:50 PM
      #22  
    Super Member
     
    MollieSue's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2009
    Location: MI
    Posts: 2,526
    Default

    Great job on your blocks!!! :thumbup: I love them in the Christmas fabrics!!!
    ~ another now added to my list! lol!!!!! :D
    It's funny how you think you're sewing each seam perfectly, until you measure them.... The quilt top I just finished for my daughter started out being 7" blocks. They all ended up a perfect 6 3/4"! Some were a tad too short, so I shortened them all on each side. I could cheat as I was the one who made up the pattern. lol!!!
    I think I'm going to copy your idea and mark my machine too, at 3/16th, as I usually have the same issue!
    MollieSue is offline  
    Old 08-31-2009, 09:07 PM
      #23  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: MN
    Posts: 24,521
    Default

    Originally Posted by Rhonda
    Your blocks are terrific looking!

    The best advice I would give anyone of any level of experience is to pay attention to making sure your seams are straight and even. Whatever size your seam allowance is if your seams are at all crooked it will show in the finished size of your blocks. Also pay close attention to making sure your seams meet accurately and things will fall in place like they should!!

    I like to take the time to tack a stitch instead of using pins when I am joining blocks together. A stitch is less likely to allow the fabric to move and pins don't always keep the fabric in place well enough when you are matching seams. I tack everywhere 2 seams meet and at the ends where the seam will go through. If you place your tacks where the seam will go through you don't have to take them back out and you don't have to mess with pins.

    Keep up the good work!! Your blocks are looking great!!
    Rhonda - do you usually also press your seams open, rather than to one side?
    bearisgray is online now  
    Old 08-31-2009, 10:05 PM
      #24  
    Power Poster
     
    Rhonda's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2009
    Location: Salem Iowa
    Posts: 15,666
    Default

    Originally Posted by bearisgray
    Originally Posted by Rhonda
    Your blocks are terrific looking!

    The best advice I would give anyone of any level of experience is to pay attention to making sure your seams are straight and even. Whatever size your seam allowance is if your seams are at all crooked it will show in the finished size of your blocks. Also pay close attention to making sure your seams meet accurately and things will fall in place like they should!!

    I like to take the time to tack a stitch instead of using pins when I am joining blocks together. A stitch is less likely to allow the fabric to move and pins don't always keep the fabric in place well enough when you are matching seams. I tack everywhere 2 seams meet and at the ends where the seam will go through. If you place your tacks where the seam will go through you don't have to take them back out and you don't have to mess with pins.

    Keep up the good work!! Your blocks are looking great!!
    Rhonda - do you usually also press your seams open, rather than to one side?
    Yes Bear I always iron seams open. As I work with minis I think if the seam is ironed to the dark side -the fabric is raised on that seam and I don't like that. I like everything to lay flat. So if you open your seams and iron they will usually lay flat. If I have a seam or part of a seam that doesn't want to stay laying flat I just do the best I can. I iron and then as I iron the next one I will go over anything that isn't laying flat in the previous seams. Mine don't always want to stay flat but I use a scant 1/4" and that doesn't allow for much fabric left in the seam allowance. You can spray them with sizing and make the fabric lay flat but I don't usually bother unless it is in an area where I really need it to behave.
    Rhonda is offline  
    Old 08-31-2009, 10:33 PM
      #25  
    Banned
     
    Join Date: May 2009
    Location: Houston, TX
    Posts: 7,286
    Default

    Lisa, your blocks look great. Others have given the same advice I would, but it looks like you're doing just fine!!
    gaigai is offline  
    Old 09-01-2009, 04:31 AM
      #26  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Apr 2007
    Location: Alturas, CA
    Posts: 9,393
    Default

    Your blocks look great and you have learned and will learn lots of ways to do more than one thing. Great advice and I love starch, I cut strips and such, with the selvage edge(lengthwise) and I don't have the "elbow" problem. Keep on quilting, you're doing great.
    pocoellie is offline  
    Old 09-01-2009, 06:05 AM
      #27  
    Banned
     
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: Port Angeles, WA
    Posts: 12,675
    Default

    Well, personally I think you should give yourself a good pat on the back. Your doing fantastic. Keep it up :thumbup: :thumbup:
    Bevanger is offline  
    Old 09-01-2009, 06:12 AM
      #28  
    Super Member
     
    wvdek's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2009
    Location: A million dollar view!
    Posts: 8,830
    Default

    Great blocks and in Christmas colors no less. Looking good here.
    wvdek is offline  
    Old 09-01-2009, 07:05 AM
      #29  
    Super Member
     
    Joan's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2007
    Location: Pine Grove, California
    Posts: 2,816
    Default

    great suggestions here---what an education I'm getting...
    thanks to all the posters

    Beautiful blocks, BTW! :lol:
    Joan is offline  
    Old 09-03-2009, 06:49 PM
      #30  
    Super Member
     
    Sheree from Chicago's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Apr 2008
    Location: Chicago, Illinois
    Posts: 3,037
    Default

    Good Tip. Thanks
    Sheree from Chicago is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    dunster
    Pictures
    67
    08-31-2013 06:49 AM
    Selena
    Pictures
    25
    07-31-2011 08:17 PM
    craftybear
    Links and Resources
    0
    04-08-2010 05:18 AM
    pittsburgpam
    Pictures
    62
    03-27-2010 06:40 PM
    janRN
    Main
    22
    07-05-2009 05:25 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter