Saturday, March 25, 2017

Just How Particular Are You?

In making recent projects, it occurred to me that I am becoming more particular about my work. Is this a normal phenomenon for quilters to experience? I used to not care too much about how I pressed my seams, for example. Or, it never concerned me overmuch that intersections might be a tad "off." I rarely pinned, and had the attitude of "good enough" for most things.

No more! I pick out seams that aren't matched, and if I turn under a seam allowance that is supposed to be open, I go back and fix it.


Here's an example of what I mean. This is an intersection of the baby quilt I have worked on this week. I had been very consistently pressing seams open,and I found this folded seam when I got to the ironing board. So I ripped it out and fixed it.


That's a wicked-looking seam ripper, isn't it? I bought it about 10 years ago at a seminar.  I have taken out about 6 stitches, then resewed just that little bit making sure I had all seams open this time.


Now, the seams don't precisely match when I turn to the right side. On some projects, I might re-do this - again, but since this is a baby quilt which will very likely get some rough treatment, I am going to leave it alone; I doubt anyone will notice. (If they do, I will compliment their amazing eyesight!) *grin*


Another thing I have been known to do is piece bits of fabric together to get just one more block. For this baby quilt, I was running low on the two orange fabrics shown above. After I miscut an entire strip, I knew I was in trouble. So I just pieced the fabric back together and proceed as if I'd never cut it at all. I pressed the seams open to ensure it wouldn't be bulky, and I think the results are perfectly acceptable.


Can you see the seams in the 4 parts of the orange block? There are 4 - one in each square. You really have to look for them, and once this is quilted, those seams will be darn-near invisible.

So, yes, I am getting fussier about my work. I hope that's a good thing. If it's not, please don't tell me. I don't want to know.

:-D

Happy Quilting, Friends!

1 comment:

  1. I have been getting more particular about my own work as well, so you are not alone. I haven't ripped too many stitches, but I am using more quality supplies and being much more accurate with my cutting. It has made me work a bit slower, but I think the results are worth it. A perfect point or flat seam gets me all excited about my progress. :)

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