Wednesday, February 2, 2011

LET'S KICK THIS THING!! I'VE WORKED ON IT ALL AFTERNOON! 300 FOLLOWERS? SERIOUSLY?

Spent most of the afternoon on Block 5 of Barbara Brackmans' Civil War Block of the week.  I am trying really hard to keep up with this one.  So far---so good!!  Let me say that this cowgirl cut the pieces of block #4 just as they were posted.  Complete confidence set in and that block went together like a charm.  I had my little fabric pieces starched stiff just like I like them and my 1/4 inch foot in place and things couldn't have gone better-------BUT aaaaarrgggggggggg!  That block was 1/2 inch too small!!!  I could go into all the shoulda, coulda, wouldas with ya but it wouldn't do that block any good.  I threw all my "good sense and "from experience knowin what to do" to the wind.   Like--  figuring what size that center block has to be to make the block the right size and making it happen   kinda stuff so that block is trashed.  I did remake it -cutting the triangles larger than the sizes posted to make room for some error.  You can't make fabric grow, but you can trim it down to fit.  At least that is MY way of thinking  piecing. 
Let me show you a few pics of this days piecing of block 5.  It actually went pretty well.  I have to say that my piecing of Feathered Stars experience really helped me out with this block.
TIPS
1. Starch the pieces as squares, then make the diagonal cuts.  They should feel like paper when you pick them up.
2.  When you can, cut the outside the section or block triangles bigger than posted.  You can trim them down, but you can't grow them (if you don't know what this means, leave a comment and I will try to help you understand.
3.  Press seam allowances of small piece strips open.
4. Trim your block segments to the appropriate size before you sew them to the next segment.


 Here you see the strip segments of a section of one quarter of the block.
 Seams are pressed open.  The triangles on the end and the yellow triangle are cut oversized.

After the segments are sewn together, the section has to be sized.  You can't trim the two sides where the points are, but you trim the diagonal seam--trim 1/4 inch from the points. 
Here you can see where I trimmed.


The unpieced triangle is cut oversized.
 Place right sides together with the pieced section--
See that it is oversized?



 and stitch--slowly--while holding it stable with you left hand as you aid in the feeding of the fabric with your right hand.  I couldn't show you where I put my right hand and take the picture too--sorry!
 The finished section after the left triangle has been trimmed to fit.
The finished Kansas Trouble block


I ask myself why I love blogging so much and my answer is easy.  It's you, the readers, the followers.  Those who enjoy reading what I post.  I now have 300 followers.  I have a feeling it is basically because of the word "free" that comes up from a search.  Gotta love that.  I am the one that benefits from my own posts.  I refer to them regularly to refresh my memory about how I did one thing or another.  My hope is that my methods will help someone else.  The above Western Fat Quarters will be given to a person whose name I draw from the those who comment to this post and tell one other person about the Give Away.  Ask the person you tell to mention your name when they comment.  If your person's  name is drawn, you will get a special surprise.
Quilting

24 comments:

Ida from Central PA said...

I also apply your "can't grow fabric" rule of thinking. I'd rather cut things a little big (I don't do 7/8ths well) and trim them.

:)

I'm loving the Boot Bash Boogie!

JustCindy said...

The finished block turned out so pretty. Nice western fabric.

Jocelyn said...

I agree with you Molly. I too blog as a journal but it's the readers and the comments that keep me blogging! Your block looks great!

Peach Rainbow said...

Beautiful block - I love your fabric choices for it :)
Congrats on your 300+ followers!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

I'm not doing this one, but your fabric made that block really pop!

Billie

Jill said...

Not a fan of civil war fabrics. I love brights! One of these days I should try one of these quilt-a-longs and use them. Love your boot bash and will be doing this my way in brights.

Lindabee said...

Beautiful block. Love the Western Fabrics. Just Cindy sent me. I'm adding your blog to my favs.

Patty said...

I love the western fabric. I haven't tried the blocks yet, I am a big chicken. Bock bock.

Scrappy quilter said...

Love how the finished block turned out. I'm with you, material cut a bit larger always works better than when it's cut too small. Great job!!

Das Quiltmonster said...

Hello, thank you for the nice tutorial of sewing the "Kansas Troubles"! Next time I'll have a kook BEFORE I start sewing.....
Greetings from Germany!! Regina

Jen said...

I wish I would have read this before I cut all my pieces! Oh well, if it doesn't work the first time I'll come back! Congrats on your followers! This is a great blog, I can see how you have so many! I'll post this giveaway on my blog when I write tonight.

Janice said...

Cute fabric! Thanks for your tips on the civil war blocks, I'm new and love to learn new techniques.

Diane H said...

Your block turned out beautifully.
Jen told me about your giveaway. Thanks

Gari in AL said...

I really liked seeing how you made the block. I am not doing that "BOM" but I am enjoying your's. I finished Block 2 yesterday and will put it in my blog on Monday.

Patty said...

I love the civil war fabric block you showed. I hadn't thought about using starch, but I can see how it would help. I have a lot of problems starting my triangles.

Patty said...

I love the civil war fabric block you showed. I hadn't thought about using starch, but I can see how it would help. I have a lot of problems starting my triangles.

Sunnybec said...

That block is so pretty, I really like civil war fabrics. DianeH sent me over for this giveaway.

Unknown said...

Love that block, beautiful!

Quilter Kathy said...

Hey Molly! I was thinking about you with all the bad weather reports coming from Texas...hope everything is okay with you. Your civil war blocks look fabulous!

kathy b said...

came to you from justaboutcindy's post on her blog. Id love for her or i to win!
Love the civil war....and I love the harmonizing new country group THE CIVIL WARS. have you heard them sing yet??? THeir new cd was just released this week. THe title song is amazing. Even cuter to watch on videor

Kathy H said...

Quilty home sent me over to your blog. I am very happy when the blogs post easy to understand tutorials. I can save them and refer to them often when I want to make that project.

Cathy M said...

I thought I should comment with the other Cathy's ahead of me. I read your blog all the time and not because of the word "free". I, too, am a Texas girl. I love to see other peoples quilts because I'm not good at completing...

Anonymous said...

I was checking backwards because I missed several days since the Boot download. This block gave me a headache, too. Several of them have. But they are all getting done, and they'll go together.

Raewyn said...

I am wanting to do these blocks too but they sound like a bit of work to get them right!! Thank you for your tips - it is always tricky making pieces a bit bigger - to trim later- when there are points involved.

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