So, bouyed by a first tute and my ability to live in a banana hell, I dived into paper piecing for the first time this week. I say for the first time...I took Kerry's freezer PP class to last year's FQRetreat, which was brilliant but I just couldn't get my head round it all (it was the first class of the first day and we had only just arrived on time so I think I was a little giddy!). PP was put on the "try later" pile til now.
I wanted to make a block for AnaCraft's FQKinky Bumblie Bee block - she wanted sewing related blocks. I decided to go for BadSkirt's pedal to the metal block and make a sample block first to see if I could do it without ruining Ana's lovely fabric. So here's my first attempt:
It's not perfect and I'm not entirely sure why I chose some precious architextures fabric for a trial block but I love it! What's more, I loved the whole making process and managed to dredge up some of the great tips that Kerry gave in her class last year, which made it much more straightforward. I think this is destined to be a cushion/pillow cover soon. I used a 1.5 stitch length which made it nigh on impossible to unpick so some emergency fixes were required. There was a time where these oopses would have resulted in a massive strop and the half made block getting consigned to a dark corner, but I stayed cool and did the odd work around #properchuffed.
Here's the block I made for Ana.....
It was an improvement on my first attempt but there are still some wee mistakes that I need to work on. I'm going to check with Ana to see if she wants any words adding. I'm pretty stoked to have finished a block BEFORE the end of the month too - result!
The big girl pants work wonders so I'm off to make some trial sandwiches for me to try FMQ! EEEK!
Linking with Finish It Up Friday over at Crazy Mom Quilts
Both blocks are soooooper, but can I suggest something (you cant hit me from there so I'm gonna) that first block would look just as freakin fabulous as the second block if you just change that brown...looks like old granny tights... second one looks like sexy fishnets... No??! Still friends?!!
ReplyDeleteI love this so much and you were so brave to choose this block. Both look completely awesome! Xxx
ReplyDeleteThey are awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteBugger perfect, you absolutely ROCKED this block. Just brilliant x
ReplyDeletehey well done, they're brilliant! Come and join in the And Sew On Bom! Oh, and can I borrow your big girl's pants (preferably washed ;0) ), I need to try FMQ too...
ReplyDeleteThese are both great, so many bits to get in the right place!
ReplyDeletewow, these are amazing, so many tiny pieces! Well done
ReplyDeleteRemember that big girl pants have more room in them so don't forget to breathe! :-) FMQ is scary but not really. And definitely a learning curve! I'm still working on it.
ReplyDeleteYour paper-piecing is great!
Both blocks look amazing, I love the fabric you chose - makes me want to find some awesome pink boots to wear while sewing!
ReplyDeleteLove! They both look fab - awesome job.
ReplyDeleteAWESOMENESS!! That is so cool, I love the 3d pedal. And the Architextures *swoon*
ReplyDeleteI thnk those blocks are amazing - so many tiny , complex pieces, amazing!!
ReplyDeleteFab blocks, love them both, and you were very very brave to use your beloved Architextures fabric (mine hasn't made it past stroking stage yet!). Great work.
ReplyDeleteJust catching up on my blog reading so late un commenting.....these pp blocks are fantastic. You have mastered the pp big time. The triangle tute is so helpful too. Thanks. Di x
ReplyDeleteyou were very brave for a first attempt well done it is gorgeous :))
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