Quilting and Blocks
Last week, I was constructing the quilt block that I create for a Block of the Month.
Each month is a different block, and as often as possible, I try to teach a new quilting technique.
I urge my classroom students and the BOM participants to try several techniques and to use the one that works best for them.
I do not believe that there is only one right way to do patchwork! Each month, instead of using my favored techniques, I create the blocks exactly the way my directions are written, which usually includes mostly traditional piecing methods.
This is the best way for me to make sure there are no mistakes in my measurements, stitching or pressing instructions.
It usually works quite well.
Last week was one of those weeks that it did not work so well! I cut, stitched and pressed a block only to discover that the entire thing was just off.
The color choices were horrid, my seams didn't match properly, and some of my block points were cut off.
And, the final result was bigger than the 12.
5 inches it should have been! Okay, so what went wrong? When making quilts, while there are many different techniques, there are some basic rules that never change! The quarter-inch seam is the most important, followed by proper pressing techniques.
Plus, in one of my lessons, I had explained that half-square and quarter-square triangle blocks usually need to be trimmed down to the correct size.
Even the traditional math for cutting these blocks is not precise and the finished block is usually a touch too big.
These slightly too large triangle blocks were my stumbling block (no pun intended) last week! I have a technique I use to create and trim them, but because I was following my BOM instructions to the letter, I didn't use them.
Silly me.
I simply forgot the trimming thing.
Then, when I was stitching the various bits of the block together, I simply used my basic sewing skills and eased the slightly different sizes together.
While this is acceptable in making quilts, it is something that needs to be done with good awareness.
I was in la-la land! Not a good place to be when quilting! Because I was going to miss my deadline for the month, I almost took a picture of this awful finished block and presented it as-is.
After taking a cooling-off break, my pride got the better of me and I went back to the drawing board.
I did ensure that my BOM instructions were correct, and then I cut new fabric that coordinated better.
I stitched the block in the way that I prefer, but not the way I was teaching.
I trimmed my triangle blocks and pressed properly.
Wouldn't you know it...
this time my block was perfect! I have now had a great reminder of why I preach to use the technique that works best for each quilter! It's important to learn as many techniques as possible and then use whatever works best...
I actually have a couple of ways that I construct each block depending on what I want it to look like, what other blocks I am attaching it to, and how I will be quilting it.
I guess it's time I practiced what I preach!
Each month is a different block, and as often as possible, I try to teach a new quilting technique.
I urge my classroom students and the BOM participants to try several techniques and to use the one that works best for them.
I do not believe that there is only one right way to do patchwork! Each month, instead of using my favored techniques, I create the blocks exactly the way my directions are written, which usually includes mostly traditional piecing methods.
This is the best way for me to make sure there are no mistakes in my measurements, stitching or pressing instructions.
It usually works quite well.
Last week was one of those weeks that it did not work so well! I cut, stitched and pressed a block only to discover that the entire thing was just off.
The color choices were horrid, my seams didn't match properly, and some of my block points were cut off.
And, the final result was bigger than the 12.
5 inches it should have been! Okay, so what went wrong? When making quilts, while there are many different techniques, there are some basic rules that never change! The quarter-inch seam is the most important, followed by proper pressing techniques.
Plus, in one of my lessons, I had explained that half-square and quarter-square triangle blocks usually need to be trimmed down to the correct size.
Even the traditional math for cutting these blocks is not precise and the finished block is usually a touch too big.
These slightly too large triangle blocks were my stumbling block (no pun intended) last week! I have a technique I use to create and trim them, but because I was following my BOM instructions to the letter, I didn't use them.
Silly me.
I simply forgot the trimming thing.
Then, when I was stitching the various bits of the block together, I simply used my basic sewing skills and eased the slightly different sizes together.
While this is acceptable in making quilts, it is something that needs to be done with good awareness.
I was in la-la land! Not a good place to be when quilting! Because I was going to miss my deadline for the month, I almost took a picture of this awful finished block and presented it as-is.
After taking a cooling-off break, my pride got the better of me and I went back to the drawing board.
I did ensure that my BOM instructions were correct, and then I cut new fabric that coordinated better.
I stitched the block in the way that I prefer, but not the way I was teaching.
I trimmed my triangle blocks and pressed properly.
Wouldn't you know it...
this time my block was perfect! I have now had a great reminder of why I preach to use the technique that works best for each quilter! It's important to learn as many techniques as possible and then use whatever works best...
I actually have a couple of ways that I construct each block depending on what I want it to look like, what other blocks I am attaching it to, and how I will be quilting it.
I guess it's time I practiced what I preach!