Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Quilting 'Aint Always Pretty

Whew. I completed the foundation piecing for the weeping quilt. And I came “this” close to running out of medium yellow fabric. Now all I have to do is the curved piecing. I do all my curved piecing by hand. I feel like I have more control of the fabric that way. I also think it might be faster. I would image that you would have to take the curves slowly on the machine. I’ll be putting this in line behind Kevin’s quilt. I’m pretty close to finishing the quilting on that one too.

So here is the shrapnel left from the foundation piecing. I love this technique. Not just because you get awesome pointy bits and curves. But because there’s no accurate cutting involved. I tear the strips of fabric, sew them to the block, trim the block, fling the fabric and keep going. Now I know some of you are thinking, “look at all that waste.” Many see this as a drawback of foundation piecing. However, I see a pile of delicious scraps. Mmmm, scraps. Imagine the possibilities for a moment. I could do some string piecing, some crazy quilting, or fuse it and make wicked new fabric. Right now I’m pondering whether or not I will try to incorporate these yummy fibers into the weeping quilt, or add them to my scrap bin. Perhaps mixing them with some green scraps or something.


Of course there is one negative consequence of my reckless foundation piecing. Now someone has to clean the floor. And I’m pretty sure it’s going to have to be me.

Oh, and since I've upgraded to Leopard, Blogger rocks. You Mac users know what I mean.

10 comments:

Diane Perin said...

Well, it may reassure both of us that my workspace looks like this from time to time, too. And I love the same thing about foundation piecing -- no measuring, just making strips and sewing along on the line. I'm happy to see such a creative mess -- I know it means active art is going on!

FatQuarterQuiltFarm said...

Those points are lookin.....pointy!!! way to go.....oh and scraps.....just a lovely by-product of the creative process.. It hurts no one!I'm jealous that you're getting to make stuff....all I seem to be able to get done is go to work and then come home and work on clients stuff!( explains the no new blog entry..)I like the idea of the UFO list out in public for all to see though....that is some kinda dedication !!!!!

His Office, My Studio said...

I love to paper piece and the pile of cut offs is a great scrap pile for later use.

You did a great job sewing the pieces!

City Girl Quilter said...

The New York Beauty block is one of my favorites. And the more I make them, the better I get. I guess it's true what they say about practice.

I like having a list of works in progress out there. I like lists in general. I get a strange sense of satisfaction crossing things off. Plus it makes me feel like I'm semi-organized.

Faith said...

lol you ought to see my workspace which is my complete fat and only my partner jim is allowed here as he understands that I am a mad messy quilter and puts up with it so does my hounds.
One day I would like to have a go at doing the quilt pieces like you have part mariners compass? ive not the confidence how you do that on the machine yet... foundation piecing with the machine sigh...one day i will learn it lol
lovely to meet you I love your blogs and I LOVE the photos we have alot of same interests.
Nutbudx

Faith said...

whoops I meant to say flat the quilting daze takes over then i make spelling mistakes .....

City Girl Quilter said...

Hey, I can't spell at all - spell check makes me look good.

These points are for a New York Beauty Blocks. Although Mariner's compass is on my list of quilts to attempt. I really like spiky quilts, and the mariner's compass is probably the ultimate. Foundation piecing is not too difficult once you get the hang of thinking upside down. I'm a hand piecer for the most part, and way too lazy to do anything overly complex on the machine. So if I can do it, anyone can do it.

City Girl Quilter said...

And my husband won't go in my studio if he can help it. He steps on a pin almost every time he ventures in there.

PaMdora said...

Is Leapord really that good? I've been wondering if I should upgrade.

City Girl Quilter said...

Leopard has so many features, I haven't even begun to scratch the surface. Safari works with blogger much better in Leopard. Also, it spell checks everything as you go along no matter what program you are using. If I'm typing in Yahoo groups, for example, it checks my spelling. I can also see what is in the document without opening it. And you get a print preview when you go to print something. I'm sure it does lots of other stuff too. The only drawback I can see is that the computer takes longer to start up. My husband said it's due to, "yadda yadda yadda." I don't really understand the technical gobbledygook.

BTW - "yadda" is not in spell check and "gobbledygook" is.