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Friday, March 12, 2010

Lesson One

Here is the back side of my first-ever foundation piecing project.  When I opened the pattern, it was  intimidating.  But our class instructor walked us through the process.  My goal was to complete one block by the end of the class period.  During class I had to rip and re-do several times.  Fortunately I wasn't the only one.  But I completed all five sections of the square and put them together.  I was beaming with pride and joy!

When I got home I realized I'd made another mistake.  In the top center of the block, I put a  light colored petal where background was to be, and I completely skipped another piece.  Hence the big pink blob at the top!  Time to get out the seam ripper once again.

Lessons Learned (so far):

1.  Take your camera to class.
2.  Bring your seam ripper. 
3.  Put in a fresh needle before class and bring a spare.
4.  My Olympic Rings project is called English Paper Piecing.  This project is Foundation Paper Piecing. 
5.  My instructor showed me how to finish the edge of my previous hexagon project, without losing the points.  If it works, I'll make a tutorial.
6.  For Foundation piecing: The WRONG side of Piece 1 goes against the WRONG side of the paper.  Then sew on Piece 2, with fabric RIGHT sides together.  Sew on the paper line.
7.  Learn to count (I apparently need to work on this!)
8.  As always, have fun! :)

5 comments:

Michele said...

Welcome to the (sometimes frustrating) world of paper-piecing. Don't feel bad, it happens to everyone (if they say never, they're lying), even after many years of pp-ing.
But you've got a great attitude - it's all about having fun!
And a little targeted surgery can fix that mistake in no time.
Looking forward to seeing the final project.

SueWis said...

Wow, looks complicated! Love those colors that you used.

Joanne said...

Great tips! I have found that I don't enjoy doing foundation paper piecing, but it sure looks beautiful!

West Michigan Quilter said...

I love your foundation block. I've never done it before. Your block is beautiful.

Diana LaMarre said...

I had to chuckle when I saw your "big pink blob". I can't tell you how many times I have done the exact same thing. I really hate to tear out foundation piecing. That tiny stitch is not easy to remove.
I think you are doing a great job!