I'm so frustrated right now!
I figured I'd do a few Winding Ways practice blocks as it'll be my next quilt...or I thought it would be.
I've done 3 blocks, 2 of them using plastic templates, and one using a pattern from a Winding Ways book I have. I'm obviously doing somthing seriousely wrong as all 3 blocks aren't square, or even close. The sides of the blocks aren't even straight. I'd take pix and post them but right now I don't even want to look at them. grrrrrr. :evil:
The last one I made is expecialy vexxing, I assumed with the first 2 I was just being sloppy or not paying enough attention, so I was careful, careful, careful with cutting out the pieces, sewing them, using the iron etc. And although it is slightly better than the other 2 it's still not square, and the edges are still wobbly.

Anybody have any simillar experiences with this block, or am I just ill-suited to this task?
:( Zoo

OOOOOOhhh Zoo, I just googled your block, it is lovely BUT its got curves.....you are very brave to try this one, I hope a more experienced quilter can help you, as it is a beautiful pattern :-)

check out the tips in this tutorial. it's a different pattern, but curves are curves. ;-)

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/4260.page

I looked the pattern up and I have to agree with Izy, I personally think you're a very brave quilter to attempt curves. I'm afraid of them.LOL I'm sure someone on board can help you though.

That looks like a lot of curves to me. Brave person you are!! I have a feeling you are being too hard on yourself though.

Took a pic of the blocks. ick! (BTW The actuall quilt would be in blue and grey).
The book I'm using is "Winding Ways Quilts" by Nancy Elliott MacDonald. I've read the directions over about 20 times at this point, I'm comfortable with the directions, I'm comfortable with the techniques she uses, I just can't make it work. :(
I've done curved seams before, (sucessfully), but not on a quilt....she says not to clip the seams, and I haven't, I don't think that's the whole problem, but I'm wondering if it's adding to it?
Zoo

I'm thinking the bias edges are getting stretched as you sew. You could try pre-starching the fabric before you cut; heavy starching will keep the fabric more stable. I haven't tried starch with curves, though, so not entirely sure how this would work.

Sharon Schamber has videos on Youtube showing how to "true" blocks to size -- including blocks that are lopsided, too big, or too small. Your green block doesn't look too much off, so that is certainly an option. Here are the Youtube videos (some are continued to another video):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-3RIWhBvcA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6aplw_tVZc

Mary

When I made the drunkards path, also curvy, I did clip one side (color )on the curves, it helped immensely!

Hi I am new posting on this board, but read it almost everyday. The people here are just lovely and helpful people. A few weeks ago, in my LQS, I saw this quilt on display. It was a pattern that was done in a class at this shop. I love this pattern, but do not usually attend classes as my budget is very tight. I bought the book and made the templates out of plastic template sheet. The first three, maybe four8 that I made, were a big "fail". After I caught on, I did better and finished the small quilt. Not all the points made it to home, but I still loved it, could not stop looking at it, and am hand quilting it. Since, in the process of cutting, I inadvertantly "shaved" the templates, even though I used double the width of the plastic and glued them together, I decided, for the next one, I would order the templates. from her website. They arrived and are much better than the plastic templates I had used. I also used my 45mm cutter because when I tried cutting with the 28mm I cut my finger---twice! She recommends the 28 cutter, but I used the 45 with the new templates. I am currently collecting neutrals to make the quilt like the one in the book--wedding quilt and this will probably take me a year--maybe more! I say---stick with it. Keep going. I am not out of the beginner catagory yet, but managed to put it together out of sheer stubborness.!!

The blue & green one is looking really good. You are doing it!!!!! YEAH!!!!!

Hey Ladies,
Thanks for the kind words, advice and encouragment. I'm going to try making another block this afternoon see how it goes, then leave it for awhile.
Zoo

Oh, that block is really a pretty one. I haven't tried the curves either yet. I still consider myself a newbie on so many things and since I don't have a sewing background...welll, things like this scare me :oops:

You'll get it...just keep at it. :wink:

I really don't know how much this will help you, but it helped me. I did 3 drunkards paths. When I sewed the curves I did NOT pin. I found it harder to sew them with the pins.

I also placed the smaller curved piece on top about 1/8-1/4" above the larger piece. When I finished sewing those two together I had to trim them down because of the extra hanging over the edge, but they turned out perfect in the end.

I think you blue and green block looks great! I can see the problem in the pink, but it's not so bad it couldn't be used.

Lynette

i have been dealing with a problem squaring up and found out it was bc I used steam in the beginning and stretched my center panel. Maybe that's not your problem, but thought if it was, might help you. I wish i had figured it out sooner. I am going full speed ahead with this quilt anyway. I even had to trim some beautiful work, but I can live with it, bc i know I am better than this quilt shows and in the future my other quilts will reflect it. I say if you like what your doing, like the colors etc. (I do, think they are really nice), keep going. We can't learn if we don't accept that we will make mistakes. rooting for ya! :wink:

The blue and green block looks just fine.

I usually cut my curved pieced blocks just a little big (1/8 inch or so) so I can square them up when I have them finished. The best thing I can tell you is just to practice and to starch them heavily.

Tricia

I made this pattern a few years ago and what i remember about it is that I had to sew these pieces very slowly. I even set my machine to the lowest speed. And actually, I think your blocks are looking pretty good. Please persevere as you will be very happy that you took on this project and mastered it. It's a beautiful pattern. Good luck!

I had sewn curved blocks before but I had trouble with her directions when my small group made winding way quilts. Mine came out OK but I could see where the problems where, I donated it to local church's charity drive. May in Jersey