Tuesday 20 October 2009

Why did I choose it?

Eileen, over at 'Quilting Together' is making a Christmas sampler quilt to be raffled in aid of the Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance. I'm always happy to help with a charitable project, so volunteered to make a block for her. I had Carol Doak's '50 Fabulous Paper-Pieced Stars' as a present last year, so decided one of those would be perfect for the job.


What a mistake. First I had to go down to the copy shop and get four copies of the pattern (quicker and more accurate than tracing my own, I decided). Next I had to paper piece 8, yes eight, sections, which were all the same. This took me a while, as there was a certain amount of reverse sewing involved here! Then, when I'd joined all the sections together, I had to pick the blooming paper off the back! I hope Eileen's not one of those 'I use tweezers to get all the little bits of paper off' types, as I'm a 'the little bits of paper will add extra warmth to the finished quilt' type! Anyone want to buy a practically new copy of Carol Doak's '50 Fabulous Paper-Pieced Stars'?!

9 comments:

Sarah said...

Sounds like a real drag - I hate the little bits of paper you end up with - I'd rather have something you can leave in....

black bear cabin said...

i dont mind doing paper piecing in small doses...like one square for a quilt of many different types...but to imagine doing an entire quilt like that....ugh! Pulling the paper off is the worst...i dont know how folks can sew an entire quilt in this style...but the results are beautiful.

Contented Caroline said...

But it's so lovely - are you sure you don't just want to put that block in the middle and make some less complicated blocks to complete the look???

Gina said...

It's turned out really great though. I must admit to liking paper piecing and I find ripping out the paper very therapeutic. I think that's just me though.

Love and hugs Gina xxx

DD said...

I agree with Gina - I like pulling out the paper, just like I like unpicking things (nearly wrote 'unpickling' there... must be the time of night). Very theraputic. If you want to post anything down to London, I'm your girl.

P.S. Hello, Mummy. x

Sew Create It - Jane said...

There is a time and place for paper piecing...I gather this block wasn't one of those times...?

I'm sure it will be lovely once it is all sewn in, wadded and quilted.

Julie in the Barn said...

I've only done one major paper pieced project and that convinced me to avoid that technique in the future. The results are really wonderful with sharp points and all, but I had a real tough time keeping my brain working upside down and backwards. And those little bits of paper got quilted into the finished quilt. I just figure it gives it an added bit of stability. I must say your block is stunning.

sewkalico said...

It looks great and I love Carol Doak's blocks! You did good!

Mama Spark said...

All I'm going to say is that I feel your pain. I pp something, hate doing it, time passes and I think oh that's not so bad and try again and the same thing happens again.