Is it time to call it quits?
06-20-2011, 09:03 AM
#111
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: TN
Posts: 2,369
I have some of the same problems with a rotary cutter, and that it why paper piecing is my kind of quilting! :D Give it a try and I think you will really love it, but watch out beause it is very addicting. :lol: :lol:
06-20-2011, 09:42 AM
#112
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 607
Try a small handpieced project where you cut the pieces out by hand and not rotary. Maybe it will help you. That is the way we started in the "old" days. When rotary came in, it was hard for most of us. Please don't give up.
06-20-2011, 09:52 AM
#113
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,625
Originally Posted by SharBear
Thank you all for the kind words of encouragement and advice.
I've finished the 12 squares for the swap. I may have to add a border to get them to the required 12 1/2 inch size but I'm ok with that. I have done some practice with seam allowance and have found that moving my needle position over one tic to the right gives me the correct seam allowance.
I know I can do this - just have to remember that Rome wasn't built in a day and quilters don't have perfection for a very, very long time - if every. De-stashing sale is cancelled!
I've finished the 12 squares for the swap. I may have to add a border to get them to the required 12 1/2 inch size but I'm ok with that. I have done some practice with seam allowance and have found that moving my needle position over one tic to the right gives me the correct seam allowance.
I know I can do this - just have to remember that Rome wasn't built in a day and quilters don't have perfection for a very, very long time - if every. De-stashing sale is cancelled!
06-20-2011, 09:57 AM
#114
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: California
Posts: 453
I felt this way until I switched to paper piecing.
It really really helped me with all of those very picky points and corners and improved my non paper piecing skills tremendously!
www.quilterscache.com and find some that are paper pieced.
It really really helped me with all of those very picky points and corners and improved my non paper piecing skills tremendously!
www.quilterscache.com and find some that are paper pieced.
Originally Posted by SharBear
ok, I'm having a crisis of ability.
I WANT to be a quilter. I understand that cutting is the foundation that quilts are built on and that accurate cutting leads to accurate piecing leads to accurate block sizes leads to quilt tops that lay flat leads to quilts that rock.
I'm making blocks for my first swap and am ready to put them in the bonfire. The points don't line up no matter how many times I take them out and put them back togehter. I've made sure all the seams are pressed correctly - I think I have used a whole bottle of Best Press on 12 not-yet-assembled blocks!
Maybe it's time for me to admit that for the first time in 46 years I've tried to do something that is just beyond me. I keep thinking this should be the perfect fit for me - I love, love, love Math (I have a degree in Applied Math!) - and jigsaw puzzles - if one is out I'm banned from the room it's in because my family knows I will stay up all night finishing it!
There may be a giant de-stash sale hitting the classified board today ....
:cry: :cry: :cry:
I WANT to be a quilter. I understand that cutting is the foundation that quilts are built on and that accurate cutting leads to accurate piecing leads to accurate block sizes leads to quilt tops that lay flat leads to quilts that rock.
I'm making blocks for my first swap and am ready to put them in the bonfire. The points don't line up no matter how many times I take them out and put them back togehter. I've made sure all the seams are pressed correctly - I think I have used a whole bottle of Best Press on 12 not-yet-assembled blocks!
Maybe it's time for me to admit that for the first time in 46 years I've tried to do something that is just beyond me. I keep thinking this should be the perfect fit for me - I love, love, love Math (I have a degree in Applied Math!) - and jigsaw puzzles - if one is out I'm banned from the room it's in because my family knows I will stay up all night finishing it!
There may be a giant de-stash sale hitting the classified board today ....
:cry: :cry: :cry:
06-20-2011, 09:59 AM
#116
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: So. California
Posts: 19
Oh, no, don't quit. In quilting there are always the three things you mentioned: cutting, sewing, pressing. To get it "right" (so that the finished block is the correct size) these all need to be accurate. First, try checking your seam allowance: cut 3 strips 3-1/2" x 1-1/2" and sew lengthwise with a quarter inch seam. Press to one side then measure. You should have a 3-1/2" square. If you don't, make adjustments by moving your needle or putting a piece of tape on your machine.
06-20-2011, 11:34 AM
#120
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Hermon ME
Posts: 681
If your cutting is accurate then you next should check you seam width. Most patterns call for a 1/4 seam when actually what is needed is a "scant" 1/4" seam..to make that even more confusing is that no two 1/4" feet stitch the same 1/4" seam!
I always nudge my needle over a couple of times..there also is also a product which is a plastic adhesive strip that is supposed create a line that you can feed your fabric along consistantly. Great idea but it doesn't keep sticking...I've gone through 4 pcs so far on my DWR and I haven't scratched the surface, I have only 7 blocks completed. Cut 3 2 1/2" strips 6 inches long..stitch them together and measure after pressing..you should have 6 1/2" if your seam is correct..if it's not pick out the stitches and adjust your needle position and stitch again. Repeat until you come up with the correct measure..write down your needle position settings. Then and only then put together a block..when completed measure it should be the correct size.. Sorry to be so long winded but I am frustrated as well by just what the "scant" 1/4" seam is. So it's very important to check your seam width right off before stitching up a block. Good luck..you'll get it..don't quit.
I always nudge my needle over a couple of times..there also is also a product which is a plastic adhesive strip that is supposed create a line that you can feed your fabric along consistantly. Great idea but it doesn't keep sticking...I've gone through 4 pcs so far on my DWR and I haven't scratched the surface, I have only 7 blocks completed. Cut 3 2 1/2" strips 6 inches long..stitch them together and measure after pressing..you should have 6 1/2" if your seam is correct..if it's not pick out the stitches and adjust your needle position and stitch again. Repeat until you come up with the correct measure..write down your needle position settings. Then and only then put together a block..when completed measure it should be the correct size.. Sorry to be so long winded but I am frustrated as well by just what the "scant" 1/4" seam is. So it's very important to check your seam width right off before stitching up a block. Good luck..you'll get it..don't quit.
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