Ok, maybe I spoke a little too early when I said yesterday that I had mastered paper piecing … it seems that maybe I had mastered only a portion of the paper piecing technique.
I finished up the trimming yesterday morning, and after lunch I started assembling the storm at sea blocks. While I’ve been sewing together lots of little blocks (between the miniature pineapples and the storm at sea sub-units), this was my first time to put together those little blocks. I pinned together the first two sub-units … not an easy process because with the seams and papers, these were two bulky pieces … I wasn’t too surprised when I saw that my points didn’t line up very well. I carefully ripped out the seam, but the paper was decimated … without the papers, I thought it would be a little easier to line up the points. It may have been a little easier to line up the points, but it was also very easy to distort those bias edges … the more frustrated I became, the fussier I became with my sewing … ripping out and bias edges –> not a good combination! By the time I had put together 3 blocks, I was not a happy camper! Not a single block was done to my satisfaction … and I was so frustrated that I ready to bag up all the sub-units and offer them to anyone who’d take them off my hands. Thankfully DH persuaded me to try just one more block … he knew how much time and effort I’d put into piecing those 320 sub-units and how much I wanted to make a storm at sea quilt. I calmed down, went back into the sewing room, slapped a couple of sub-units together (with the papers still on) and sewed. And the block came together! It wasn’t perfect, but it was acceptable … and it was done. Not to mention that it would pass the 30 mph test.
So I kept putting together blocks. A couple are giving my perfectionist tendencies a little grief, but I’m going to leave them … for now anyway. So I would have to say that I have yet to master paper piecing, but that's ok ... since I really don't intend for my quilts to be masterpieces, I really don't expect to be a master at quilting ... and paper piecing. Sometimes good is good enough. 
At some point, I’m going to have to remove all those papers
but that will be a small price to pay to have decent points that line up even halfway … although I may need you all to remind me of that when I’m grousing about all those papers in seams. 
I understand your frustration - piecing together paper-pieced blocks is hard for me, too! Logically it seems they should go together fine so I'm not sure why they don't. However, my experience with quilts with many pieces is that the more pieces, the less noticeable unmatched seams/points. The block you posted looks great! ~Jeanne
ReplyDeleteGood morning! Boy do I ever get your frustration level. Too fussy and "need to be perfect" over here too. But just so you know, the blocks you have shown are GORGEOUS. I love the colors together. And they look completely perfect too! And by the time you finally assemble all of those squares it's going to be just stunning. Now pulling off all of that paper might be a bit of a challenge, but you will get through it. I am making quilted purses over here and just as I think I have got it mastered, I have a day like yesterday where the sides DO NOT MATCH up the way they should...probably because I kept trimming to make things square...sigh. But I am pretending I don't notice, because honestly no one else will. lol Again, too bad we are not neighbors and we could have encouraged each other with our annoyances, haha. Have a GOOD day my friend, and ever onward!
ReplyDeleteThe blocks in the photo are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWell it will be beautiful when you get it all together. It looks very nice to me.
ReplyDeleteThe blue and white is very pleasing to the eye.
I hope you have a better day today and it all comes together quickly.
That is one gorgeous block! The last time I did a quilt (it was a joint effort) that was paper-pieced blocks, I got the job of removing the paper - so recruited Grizz and we got the job done together.
ReplyDeleteSounds so frustrating.....((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteI've only ever done one 8" square paper piecing. Now I don't know if I want to try something bigger....
ReplyDeleteSounds like removing the paper would be a good thing to do while watching a movie. (Or some St. Louis sports team. :) )
Hi there, I know that your finished quilt will be a masterpiece! You sound like me though in wanting to have quilts perfect-I've gotten a little more laid back about my finished pieces. I'm going to square up my quilt this afternoon so I can get some backing and batting and start pinning. I just got an email that my thimble should arrive on Sat., after being repaired. I'm so excited.
ReplyDeleteHave a great afternoon & evening stitching.
Hugs, Noreen
The block you posted looks great! I have trouble lining up my pp parts too... I just go with it and who will really notice when it is all done? Take the paper parts bit by bit and it will get done... I notice that popping the seam (bend the fabric from the paper) tends to help it rip out easier. Love your color choices by the way.
ReplyDeleteOh my...that's how sewing goes for me most of the time! My friend is coming tonight to help me with my quilt top...she has finished hers. We'll see how that goes!! I know yours will be a beauty!
ReplyDeleteI think the imperfections (that you will be the only one who sees them) make the quilt special!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!! What a gorgeous block. You are the bomb!
ReplyDelete