Monday, May 24, 2021

THINGS I'VE LEARNED ABOUT PAPER PIECING AND THE GIFT

I have been working for a couple weeks now on my Confetti quilt.  The blocks are paper pieced.  I had done a little paper piecing, but never this much.  I have had an interesting learning curve on this project and thought to share a bit of it.  While paper piecing isn't rocket science these few little tips have made things so much easier.

In the beginning when I folded over the paper to trim my seams to a quarter inch I found that it was difficult to stay on the line.  I remembered a tip given in one of my on line classes to use a post card that is just a bit thicker than normal paper.  Folds were very accurate to do perfect trimming of the seams.

In the beginning I was using glue sticks.  Unfortunately I found they are used up fast and they were costly.  I have had this Roxanne Glue in my stash of tools for ages, but never used it.  I decided it might be time to give it a try.  

This was just the greatest thing ever invented.  You can apply it within the seam allowance so no excess smears of glue.

I also found that just a bit of a press before going to the sewing machine dries the glue so no slipping or sliding on the area.

This particular pattern has some pieces joined before paper piecing them.  A bit of a different system than I every dealt with before.

It works really great, and while other patterns might not use this method I thought it certainly could be used in similar situations.  

I did find that my patterns did not include the seam allowances.  I decided that the best plan was on the original patterns I would draw them in and also indicate where seams should extend beyond the seam lines.  Plus I even made a note of the one or two seams that should be folded and pressed in a different direction to join the two block parts.  Once all that information was on the original pattern pieces it was easier to not get confused when doing multiple blocks.  There are 64 blocks in the quilt top and each block has two parts.  So, having that information when make 128 block pieces made things easier.  

I spent some time doing some heavy duty housework these past few weeks.  We have travel a good deal over the last 4 or 5 years and one of the drawers in our guest bathroom was loaded with various travel size shampoo, lotion, bar soaps, as well as toothpaste, floss, and toothbrushes our dentist gives us at each visit.  I did a major clean out and our daughter took them to a couple that does a good deal of assistance for the homeless in our area.  As I was doing all that clean out I also found several old quilts and blankets in our linen closet that I added to the donation pile for that couple.  I was sent this photo of one of the quilts I donated for their cause.  They told me that they wanted it to go to someone special.  This photo was taken when the woman received  it.  It was nice to pass on to someone happy to get it.  It was one of the very first mystery quilts I ever made. 

20 comments:

  1. A wonderful donation! The recipient looks very pleased. Paper piecing is something I've done a lot of but only in small amounts at a time. Not sure I have the patience to do a whole quilt, so good for you!!

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  2. Such an honor when your quilt goes for a good loving cause.

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  3. Paper piecing is very brain-twisting. I have done very little of it and was taught by Violet Craft, who uses a slightly different method of construction, with an Add-a-Quarter ruler and sticky tape roller. Glue sticks are chunky and I like your idea of the glue bottle. Your donations sure made someone happy.

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  4. That paper piecing looks way over my head. I don't have a crafty bone in my body.

    That lady is sure happy to get that beautiful quilt.

    Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

    Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥

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  5. Wonderful tips for foundation sewing! And what a wonderful donation of your talent. Thanks for linking up with To-Do!

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  6. What a wonderful use for your unused quilt!!

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  7. I'm sure it was a very sweet feeling to know that someone will put your work to good use. Thanks for sharing the great photo with us.

    So happy to see your link at 'My Corner of the World' this week!

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  8. Great job of passing things on so they benefit others who need them. I paper piece sometimes but find I'm done with it for a while when I finish small projects. Don't thing I would make it through big projects!

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  9. oh I love that you got to see who got your quilt - how super sweet!
    and that paper piecing ... I have yet to get brave and try it- so cool to know some tips!

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  10. Oh, yes -- that photo of your quilt with its new owner is priceless! What a blessing both to the giver as well as the receiver.

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  11. Great picture of the gifting of the quilt. Always a good feeling when someone appreciates a wonderful quilt.

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  12. We also gave away the hotel toiletries to the homeless group in our area. I love the photo of the recipient of the quilt.

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  13. Confetti blocks look fun to do!
    What a beautiful gift and a lovely photo!
    Thank you for sharing, and linking up today ;)

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  14. Just look at the happy face of the lady hugging your/her quilt. Such a beautiful gift! There is just something about being embraced by a handmade quilt. Thank you for all the tips you have learned as you travelled along the road of paper piecing.

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  15. Great tips.
    Love the photo of your beautiful quilt with its new owner.

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  16. What a wonderful donation! How nice to have received a photo of the happy recipient with your quilt donation. That rarely happens!

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  17. I love that you gave so much for those who are in need! And thanks for the paper piecing hints.

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  18. How happy she looks to receive your quilt! What joy! Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.

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  19. I use a lot of glue. Elmers washable school is cheaper than Roxanne glue and you can purchase it in quarts and refill your small bottle.

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