paper piecing fail

I heard about the Threadbias contest using Allison's new fabric line Wallflowers and I knew I wanted to participate.  Most of the time when I have an idea for a quilt I use graph paper and a pencil, so I wasn't really quite sure how to sue the Threadbias tool.  It turned out to be pretty easy and after a little tinkering I came up with this.
I was pretty happy with how it turned out, but I thought that since I have never made a paper piecing pattern I should try it out.  Ha ha ha.
While I did figure out how to break up the block into pieces and print them out, I forgot to account for the fact that I needed to reverse the pattern for some of the pieces since they aren't symmetrical.  I also ended up with the most monstrous center seam I have ever seen and I would not wish that seam on any quilt!

So I guess it's back to the drawing board.  Does anyone have any tips or tutorials on making paper piecing patterns?  I think I could use some help.

In other news, I received my pillow from the Pillow Talk Swap yesterday and it is really beautiful.  There were a few bumps in the road this round, but after I received this pillow it made up for everything.  Jenn did a great job.
 And here it is with my pillow from last round.
And the pillow I sent to my partner, Kelsey.
pillow talk swap finish
It is such a fun swap!


Follow on Bloglovin

Comments

  1. LizJune 21, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    Those pillows look awesome! I should join that swap, but I'm a little intimidated with my newbie skills.

    I have no tips on paper piecing since I've never done it, but the quilt design looks awesome, too bad it didn't work out :(

    ReplyDelete
  2. Heather D.June 21, 2013 at 9:29 AM

    No tips on the paper piecing as it's definitely not my favourite thing to do. Your block has some potential I think, but the seams that come from having so many pieces intersecting is definitely a downside to it. I think that's why I don't like paper piecing. I hate those huge bulky seams.

    The pillow you received is absolutely gorgeous. Love the oranges and purples together.

    ReplyDelete
  3. snipsJune 21, 2013 at 9:43 AM

    Wish i had some advice re paper piecing, but i'm in the same boat... trying so hard to design my own and not getting anywhere. I just finished up a block where twelve seams intersected. It wasn't too bad, though i did break a needle(mainly because i was sewing to fast!). It wouldn't stop me from using the pattern again. Your pattern looks great! Hope you get some advice that helps!

    ReplyDelete
  4. snipsJune 21, 2013 at 10:00 AM

    Me again:) Just took another look at your block and i think if you could adjust your pattern to only four pieces you could eliminate four seams. If you use your floral print as one piece (instead of two), start there and build around it, yellow than pink, you would end up with four quarters to sew together instead of two pieces to make one quarter then four quarters to one block! Just a thought!

    ReplyDelete
  5. JennyJune 21, 2013 at 10:05 AM

    Fun, fun and lot's of fun!! Love all your pics and the paper piecing quilt is going to look fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  6. West Michigan QuilterJune 21, 2013 at 10:16 AM

    I love paper piecing and really like your block. Looking forward to seeing the end pattern. I can't wait to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. SharonJune 21, 2013 at 10:18 AM

    You could reduce the bulk of seams in the middle of your block by making the "petal" one piece instead of two and have the background triangles not meet in the middle, rather have them come just short of where the strips end. I have a tutorial called 'no more nipples' about bringing seams together in the center.
    Just holler if that doesn't make sense or if you want some help
    Yankeequilter(at)gmail.com
    Fabricsandflowers.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. SharonJune 21, 2013 at 10:20 AM

    I love that block on the pillow you make for Kelsey!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cloud CouCouJune 21, 2013 at 11:58 AM

    I would offer some advice, but I have never even tried paper piecing, although I really want to give it a go. I'm sure you can figure something out though, keep trying. Those pillows are fantastic, would love to have one on my sofa :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. BethJune 21, 2013 at 12:18 PM

    I don't have any tips to offer but I love your design - both the graphics and the actual block!

    ReplyDelete
  11. sharpieJune 21, 2013 at 12:49 PM

    My my my! Don't be so hard on yourself! First off props to you for tackling paper piecing design ;) And if you think your seams are bulky you should check out some of the super intricate forest QAL blocks (holy smokes they can get pretty thick). I will say that one thing I've found to be helpful is ironing seams open when joining pieced sections. Might not be overly effective but st least it's a start!

    ReplyDelete
  12. ReneeJune 21, 2013 at 5:36 PM

    Aw, that is too bad it didn't work out, it is such a cute pattern! The pillows are all great!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Kelly YoungJune 21, 2013 at 8:41 PM

    sadly, I have no advice to offer on the paper piecing as I've never done it. :( however, I really love your pillows! what a fun swap!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

    ReplyDelete
  14. SoniaJune 21, 2013 at 10:11 PM

    I'm afraid I have no tips on the center seam but the paper-pieced block is gorgeous! And beautiful cushions too, your sofa must look very cosy!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. LisaJune 21, 2013 at 10:52 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  16. LisaJune 21, 2013 at 10:54 PM

    You are so super brave to try the paper piecing on the Threadbias tool! I think it looks adorable - reminds me of a 4 leaf clover. Your pillows are lovely - looks like a really fun swap!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. heart of charnwoodJune 22, 2013 at 1:16 AM

    I think the principle with a block like this is to try and make the centre piece of each block 1 piece of fabric instead of 2, and then make your way outside. I think it is possible to do this block in just 4 pieces instead of 8, and that would considerably reduce your seams and issues. :o)

    ReplyDelete
  18. heart of charnwoodJune 22, 2013 at 1:16 AM

    And love the cushion you sent and received, just gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  19. DebbieJune 22, 2013 at 7:24 AM

    Looks like you are getting some help here which is great - nice design! Hope you blog about it again further along in the process...

    ReplyDelete
  20. PattiJune 22, 2013 at 8:12 AM

    Love the pattern you created, Erica! I'm no help with design, but I sure know what you mean about converging seams from doing the Lucky Stars blocks! Your pillow swaps looks fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  21. AllisonJune 22, 2013 at 9:37 PM

    That quilt is freaking gorgeous Erica! Makes me want to start paper piecing (almost) ;) -Al

    ReplyDelete
  22. Rachel at Stitched in ColorJune 23, 2013 at 5:09 PM

    No experience is wasted! I'm sure you've already learned a lot and the comments here are nice. I agree - you would want to redesign to make the block in 2 segments, not 4.

    ReplyDelete
  23. SheamusJuly 30, 2015 at 10:04 AM

    I read this post fully concerning the difference of latest and former stuff, it is awesome article.Shredder Choice

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Flower Favorites Blog Hop - Tutorial and Giveaway

Image
Last week I got an email asking if I was interested in the Flower Favorites Blog Hop. Yes! I chose to work with Palm Springs  which is a fun, spring-y collection with some adorable tulips. The tutorial is available on the at the Bernatex blog here .  And keep an eye out for more tutorials over the next week as the blog hop continues. But until then, how about a giveaway?  Bernatex has kindly offered up a fat quarter bundle of the Palm Springs collection to one lucky winner.   photo from Missouri Star Quilt Co. For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of Palm Springs, follow the Benartex blog (either by email or a blog reader) and leave a comment here saying that you're a follower. For a second entry, "like" Benartex on Facebook   and leave a comment saying that you do.  The giveaway will be open until May 6th.   Check out the other tutorials in the Flower Favorites Blog Hop: Day 1 - Debby Kravotil Quilts
Read more

What Shade Are You? Blog Hop & Giveaway

Image
A few weeks ago RJR Fabrics contacted me to see if I was interested with working on a project using their solids.  I checked out their colors and was pretty smitten so I said yes. And they exceeded my expectations.  I mixed them in with some of the prints from Rashida Coleman Hale's new Mochi collection .  Since Cotton + Steel is actually a division of RJR fabrics, the RJR solids coordinate perfectly with the collections. The RJR Cotton Supreme Solids have a great selection of pinks (I think good pinks are the hardest to find) and my favorite is actually the neutral-y brown Driftwood color that I used for the binding.  It might not be cool to love brown, but I do, and Driftwood (color 297) will be filling a void in my stash.   The quilt looks more complicated than it actually is: each of the diamonds is made up of 2 triangles (so there are no y-seams) and I cut the fabric with my  favorite triangle ruler .      I didn't want the quiltin...
Read more

SMS Giveaway Day

Image
Hello and welcome if this is your first time visiting!  My name is Erica and for the past year or so I have documented my quilting and sewing projects here ont this blog.  I have been sewing for almost three years now and it has become quite the obsession!  These are some of my favorite projects since I started my blog last year: What is the giveaway? When I was considering what to giveaway today, I wanted to choose something that I loved and something from a shop that I love.  I decided to purchase a fat quarter bundle of Martha Negley's feathers from Westwood Acres .  I just love the colors in these prints, they are gorgeous. How to enter: Just leave me a comment letting me know what kind of quilt or sewing project you really want to make in the future.  Is there a particular pattern or technique you want to try?  I am looking forward to starting a Marcelle Medallion , I just need to finish up some other projects first. The details: The giveaway wil...
Read more