I need some Grandmother's flower garden help....
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,782
#13
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,585
I don't know that I agree with this statement, what is the thinking or reasoning behind it? I have large hands and just can not hang onto a size 12 quilting needle or size 10 betweens. I've actually fallen in love with Primitive Gatherings' binding needles, they glide through fabric like butter. I've taken to using them for just about everything I do by hand.
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,782
Lol. I may be!
I also don't use really small needles. I have large hands also and I've been using embroidery needles with the large eye for years now for all hand sewing. I've been wanting to try the primitive Gathering Binding needles.
I also don't use really small needles. I have large hands also and I've been using embroidery needles with the large eye for years now for all hand sewing. I've been wanting to try the primitive Gathering Binding needles.
#16
I'm working on an EPP GFG right now and I have the same issue sometimes. From what I can tell you with my experience, once you remove the cardstock, give the flower a good press, very, very little steam. If you cut your own hexies, the variations in them as you sew will compete with each other and cause the rippling that you're experiencing, and it will continue until you remove the cardstock. Once you do that, your flowers will lay flat.
If you're starting with the center hexie, then adding the next round, then the next round after that, you can combat the rippling a little by pressing after each round, even with the papers still in the flower. I remove the papers as a round is completed, then press the flower again, then keep sewing. It's an extra step, but it works.
What I can also say is that when I cut my hexies, I wasn't perfect, so when you're attaching the fabric to the papers, take a second, really look at your hexie and trim it if it's not right. I've found many of mine to be slightly wonky, so a quick trim has helped. Also make sure that you're sewing on the edge of the hexie paper, any variation to your sewing along with the possibility you're working with a slightly wonky paper is going to make them to not lie flat.
If you're starting with the center hexie, then adding the next round, then the next round after that, you can combat the rippling a little by pressing after each round, even with the papers still in the flower. I remove the papers as a round is completed, then press the flower again, then keep sewing. It's an extra step, but it works.
What I can also say is that when I cut my hexies, I wasn't perfect, so when you're attaching the fabric to the papers, take a second, really look at your hexie and trim it if it's not right. I've found many of mine to be slightly wonky, so a quick trim has helped. Also make sure that you're sewing on the edge of the hexie paper, any variation to your sewing along with the possibility you're working with a slightly wonky paper is going to make them to not lie flat.