Field Trips in Fiber

First miniature pine tree block

I finished it! This will not be the actually block design that I will use but it's one that EQ had in the library and was close enough for experimentation. It was actually fun to do! This size – 1.5" – is certainly the smallest size that I can handle. So next I will start designing the actual block and the quilt layout. I will be using hand-dyed fabrics. Here's what I learned on this one:

• Cut the fabric pieces relatively large. Fabric is cheap, sanity isn't.
• Leave the foundation paper on as long as possible. I made the mistake of removing the foundation paper before adding the narrow white borders and that made this block get out of square.
• The block has about 6 foundations. As each is sewn together I hand basted then through the critical intersecting points – that made things a lot easier
• When sewing with seam allowance down, place a large piece of the foundation paper on the bottom so that the seam allowance will not twist.

I'll have to practice a couple with the real pattern and real fabric before I declare that I have the skill to pull this off!

WIP Wednesday - insanity begins

Today I started working on my miniature quilt. It's based on a pine tree block. I am just starting practicing the block to determine the smallest size. I created foundations for 1 and 1.5" blocks. This is the start of the 1.5" block. Just this little bit took about 45 minutes and I pieced the next row BACKWARDS. I'll re-make it later. It's not going to be easy but I think it will be fun.

I will not be posting much, if anything, the next few days. I'll be attending my company's annual manager's meeting.