This is a little awkward
I mentioned cutting out blocks for an Apple Core quilt the other day. Well my plan is to hand piece these and while it feels very awkward now, I’m hoping that it will feel more natural as I go along. I’m also hoping this doesn’t end up in my never to be completed UFO pile!
i’ve always loved the apple core block. i don’t however, want to hand piece it! you’re a better woman than i!
wow, that’s brave Mary. My hands are a bit arthritic so I don’t think I could attempt too much hand work anymore. The colors are really beautiful and I, too, love the apple core block.
I have been hand-piecing one of these for a couple years. Here are my tricks…
I clipped a tiny V in the center of each of the 4 sides of each piece. I pin at the V and at both ends. Always sew with the smile on your side and the frown away from you. Only stitch to 1/4″ from the end of the seam.
When I sew rows together, I flip the quilt around for each piece so I always have the smile facing me. For some reason, that makes all the difference in the world.
Check out my blog and search for Seeds of Kindness quilt. http://www.shelbystitcher.blogspot.com
~Joan
Good luck! I don’t do so well with hand piecing either (or hand quilting or hand applique for that matter either). Although I’d really LIKE to be good at them all! I do enjoy a bit of stitchery though!
That is going to be a beautiful quilt. I hope it doesn’t end up in UFO land. If you can’t get used to the hand piecing, could you switch to machine piecing? Years ago, I hand pieced a mariner’s compass quilt because I was intimidated by machine piecing all those skinny points, set in seams and then the curved piecing to make the round compass a square block. It took a couple years to piece by hand and I finally got so tired of it; I machine pieced the last 4 blocks or so and guess what? You can’t tell. I’m sure I took my time and probably ripped out some (can’t remember). It’s still one of my UFO’s. I don’t think the gentle curves would be too hard to do on machine, after a few practice ones you’d get in a good rhythm. What do I know? I just want to see your finished quilt. I love the colors.
I don’t know about doing it by hand but, with the little notches to show the center of each piece, it shouldn’t be too difficult until you get to putting rows together. I just did an apple core block the Eleanor Burns way and it was very difficult to get the pieces to match. I would much rather piece, either by machine or hand, the way you are doing it.
Mary do you think that maybe they are too big and that is why they feel awkward??? I’ve never hand pieced myself but thought that it was usually done with smaller pieces?? no?
Love from Texas! ~bonnie
Don’t worry Mary. It will get better. Rabidquilter from the about.com quilting forum has a great tutorial on her webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/rabidquilter
Check out her Trip around the world album. I just finished piecing (this summer) a tumbling blocks by hand. Baby sized quilt. Took about a year and a half because I didn’t work on it much. I tend to carry my hand piecing around in a pocket and take it out whenever I have a minute or two. I only concentrate on/worry about a needle full of stitches at a time. That way it is manageable for me and I don’t stress on how long it is taking me. Has nothing to do with patience. Has to do with not having idle hands.
You can do it. Even if your hands are a little arthritic.
Hoping you find the hand piecing relaxing and no matter how long it takes — it can be an ongoing project for those times when you need something to slow down with.
I applaud you for attempting this. Curved seams scare me! Love your fabric choices too. Hope Chesty is doing well. Jenn
How lovely. I did one of these by hand 5 years ago when we moved and my machine wasn’t set up. Mine was teeny tiny squares done with a fabric stamp and the trick was to clip clip clip those corners. It was great to take to work or for appointment waiting but I was glad when it was done–love the finished product and it has become one of my favourite quilts
It may be awkward, but your blocks look fabulous, Mary. My curve piecing NEVER looks this good. I noticed your reading shelf. Have you tried Greg Iles?
Hi Mary, one of the ladies on a forum I am on makes hers with complete circles, it is so much quicker, and simpler. Jan
I keep thinking I need to get a handpiecing project to take places with me, or just to pick up in odd moments. Do blog about your improvement in speed, level of awkwardness, etc. I’m a little nervous! Think I’ll have to start small.
Let me guess – You supplied Mom with a list of the dies she really can’t live without and lovingly suggested that she have them shipped to you for a quality assurance test before she risk her own fabric.
My Mom and I used to be a similar pair of enablers.
Sorry wrong post.
I hope you enjoy the hand piecing. I often find it meditative and if I just can relax enough, it is a wonderful thing!