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.

 

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.