Saturday, September 15, 2012

Paper Piecing Fun!

I took a paper piecing class then end of April, but, I just didn't get a chance to practice it, due to graduations, wedding, etc. over the summer.  Well, two weeks ago, I got 'inspired' to try paper piecing again when a Treadle On member showed a great pattern on a blog of a Singer Featherweight.  The post that inspired me is here.  Isn't that the cutest little sewing machine?  Well, KT quickly sent me the link to the free pattern.  Since it was my regular Thursday sew-in day, I figured that I'd print it off and try it out.  Several of the ladies in my group are great paper piercers.  Thanks to Jo, Linda and Jan, I got the first part made, with much seam ripping.  Jo told me to go home and try the same part over again (I'd printed off 2 copies of the pattern), so that I'd get more practice and figure it out.  Well...

'S' of Singer

this is what I did that first day.  And this is what I've done now.

1st completed block

back of block
I have two of these done, all except one piece.  The pattern doesn't include the needle bar, or the ends of the spool of thread.  I used iron on reflector tape and satin ribbon for the needle and needle bar in the first block.  I'm not sure if I want to do that, or try something else for the second block.  I used a Pigma pen to color in the ends of the spool in the first block.  I may try to applique the ends in the 2nd block. 

Here are pictures of the pattern.  Links to the designers blog and free patterns page is here.

First 2 pages of the pdf file

the pieces that are not included in the pattern as paper pieced parts
 These were fun blocks to make.  I sewed these on my trusty Singer Spartan Hand Crank.

1959 Singer Spartan hand crank

I am designing blocks for the Wicked blog hop over at Sew We Quilt.


Sew we quilt 

I almost went 'batty' making my first block with Steam a Seam lite 2.  The jury is still out on this product.  I had a really hard time getting it to hold onto my fabric before I ironed it in place.  You aren't supposed to iron it until you are ready to set it permanently.  The fusible kept sticking to the paper, not my fabric.  I also had a 'ghost' of a time trying to find a nice silvery grey fabric.  I purchased 2 possibles that I'm going to try.  

Jennifer Ofenstein over at Sew Hooked, designed the wonderful paper pieced Harry Potter Project of Doom quilt.  Well, I asked permission to use some of her patterns in my blocks for the blog hop.  Not only did she give me permission, but, she even re-sized them for me.  Isn't she sweet!  I've gotten so many ideas in my head, that I've designed 7 blocks so far.  So little time, so much to do.  Stay tuned!  I can't show these until it is my turn in the blog hop.  Maybe I'll show a few 'teasers' with fabrics over the next few weeks.   

On a personal note, I had laser surgery last Friday on my right leg for varicose veins.  They didn't warn me that I wouldn't be able to lift anything for a whole week.  I had to get hubby to lift my machine for me.  I'm behind in reading blogs because I have to prop my leg up, and, to do that, I have to contort myself at the computer.  I wind up with a crick in my neck, trying to twist around to look at the screen.  Did you know that you can use the hand crank with your feet elevated?  How cool is that?  

Have a great weekend!

PS:  The next leg will be done next Friday.  Recovery time is a month for each leg.  Hubby is taking really good care of me.



13 comments:

  1. Yay! Great job on the block! Hope your leg is healed soon. Thanks for the link, and letting me share in your finish.

    Blessings!

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  2. I LOVE your little featherweight block, but HATE paper piecing, unfortunately. I think it's because it takes so much longer to make a block, and the fact that I get confused really easily. 8P

    I did get your email about your surgery. Sorry I didn't get back to you. Life has been crazy here this week, but I have been thinking of you and praying all is healing well.
    hugs!
    Michelle

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  3. They did tell you to get the heavy duty support stockings from a medical supply place, right? Your little sewing machine is so cute! When I saw the S originally, I couldn't imagine how that was going to become the sewing machine head. =) I must have forgotten to follow your link in the first post!

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  4. What a cute little pattern that is!!! And you did a great job on your paper piecing ;*) Get well soon & take good care of yourself. Think how much better you're going to feel when both legs are all better!

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  5. You certainly didn't start with an easy pattern. Good job!

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  6. Atta girl, Cheryl. Glad to see your paper piecing block. It is so cute, and nicely done!
    Sounds like your surgery went well. I would bet the hardest part is to stay still. That too shall pass.
    Hugs

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  7. Way fun block!!

    I hope your legs feel better soon. It would be hard to lay still for so long.

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  8. Wow, Cheryl! What an adorable block! I'll have to go and check it out - oh love your wonderful hand-crank baby! Haha, even wounded quilters still find a way to sew!

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  9. ROSEMARY B here: REALLY CUTE block. I want to make one and hang it over my machine :-D

    Oh sorry about your post surgical instructions. Well, I am glad you have hubbs to assist you. Perhaps he could do all of the typing for you too haha
    I love your shiny machine. It is just lovely
    Have fun with your blocks. I am also starting my blocks now that I got the Dots out of the way whew

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  10. Love your paper piecing so far! I've wanted to try but I'm intimidated.

    Hope you feel better soon!

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  11. Hey Cheryl, way to go on your first time paper piecing!! I'm completely impressed as my first *ahem* 4 *ahem* tries ended in garbled fabric chunks of paper lol! Beautiful work! Sending speedy recovery wishes your way :) It's neat to see your gorgeous handcrank, I acquired a Spartan electric machine this summer. Thanks for the links back, I'm glad you had fun with the pattern (eventually lolol!)

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  12. Wow -- what a great job on your paper piecing!! It's fun, isn't it? And you can do such *fun* things with it!!! Hope your recovery goes quickly and easily!! :)

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  13. Hi Cheryl.

    I love your sewing machine.
    By the way, if you are planning to sell your sewing machine, I'd love to take one.

    Kind Regards,
    Nathalie
    The Best Sewing Machine Dealer

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