Don't do as I did!

This could be said to be in the nature of a public service announcement!!

I am making a baby quilt for a friend. We agreed on an interesting pattern.

I prefer Foundation paper piecing. So, I decided to do it as such. I agreed bright colours with ' Mum'.

Even when you think you think you have the colours sorted, *don't* cut out all the pieces for the whole quilt before doing a sample block!

When translating a template pattern into a FPP pattern (especially if re-sizing it as well), don't forget to reverse it, especially if there are awkward asymmetrical pieces.

When using half-rectangles, remember that they are directional, and if the fabric has a noticeable reverse side, this matters.

I like to cut my FPP pieces fairly accurately. I add about half an inch seam allowance. Adding half an inch to a two-inch square does*not* give you enough fabric. A 2" square should go to 3" with *two* additions of half an inch.

When you have a rectangle of 2" x 4", adding one inch to each measurement to a 3" x 5" rectangle does *not* work: you have changed the side to side ratio and the angles are different (it makes joining them almost impossible).

A seam allowance of an eighth of an inch is OK for a wallhanging, but

*not* enough for a baby quilt.

So, save yourself a day and a half cutting; and five fat quarters of fabric pieces (which I will use on a smaller project!) and do the opposite of what I have done this week!!

Did I do anything at all correctly?

Yes, I pressed the fabric before I cut it >g<

(PS I am now on a different, but more 'right' track).

Reply to
Patti
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PPS Sorry I know this is impolite, but:

I have just sewn two correctly completed sections together - the wrong way round!!

I surrender. I'm going to make the back (pieced) first. . In message , Patti writes

Reply to
Patti

Now these are some of the reasons that foundation paper piecing is NOT my favourite method of construction, LOL. I'm sure you'll get there eventually Patti and the baby quilt will be just gorgeous!! However, when I do have to FPP I like to cut my pieces the right shape too, I just never can get the hang of using slabs of fabric like some folk do... such a waste imho to do it like that.

Cheers Elly in Scotland

Reply to
Elly D

This is a joke, right? This is someone assuming the identity of 'our' Patti, yes? Not our Patti who thinks assembling shapes whose names I cannot even pronounce is both logical and easy? Naaaaaa. No way. Can not be. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

I have never even tried foundation piecing. And based on this story I think it was a wise decision. I would have torn my hair out if this would have happened to me. Oh wait. I already shave my head. Well at least that is settled.

John

Reply to
John

Yikes!!!

Which is why when fpp'ing I don't cut shapes close. Waste fabric some but how else do you get rid of it LOL.

Denny

Patti wrote:

Reply to
Kiteflyer

Sorry to disappoint you, Polly. This is really me >g<

What a series of disasters! I blame it on the colours - I am way out of my comfort zone!! . In message , Polly Esther writes

Reply to
Patti

Reply to
Roberta

Defeated is a better word, Roberta!

Have to stay calm with a rotary cutter (and new blade) around! . In message , Roberta writes

Reply to
Patti

Reply to
jennellh

Some days you just need to crawl back into bed, pull the covers over your head and wait it out. Then start over another day. I'm sorry. I'm sure it will be lovely when the pieceing gremlins disappear.

Kathyl (KJ) < who likes to paper piece and doesn't precut anything

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Reply to
KJ

Put down the rotary cutter, Pat! Have a cup of tea...a scone and think about something else! Play with the new kitty.

Reply to
KJ

Pat you just explained in detail why I don't paper piece. Way too early in my quilting adventure, someone gave me a gorgeous paper piece pattern for a tea cup. So beautiful, so dainty. I love tea cups. Well, that little tea cup probably had 3,000 little pieces and all the wrong way around and how the heck do you sew that shape and flip it to cover THAT shape? It was a disaster. I have managed to succeed with a couple of better patterns, but.....that was enough. Too fiddly and scary and I did waste too much fabric.

I'm sure you will straighten this out and end up with a baby quilt to die for. An heirloom. For now, I like the scone idea and playing with the kitty. When life hands you lemons it's time for a cup of coffee and something sweet to eat.

Hugs, Sunny

Reply to
Sunny

Oh Pat. You have my sympathy. It would probably make me want to curse a bit! lol

Reply to
Estelle Gallagher

Ouch. Pat! It sounds like one of those days when quilting shouldn't have been on the agenda at all! :( I'm glad you've figured out how to fix the problems, though.

Reply to
Sandy

It has been my most favourite technique ever since I learned it!! However .... .... >g< . In message , Elly D writes

Reply to
Patti

I have done hundreds of FPP pieces - I use it greatly! I guess sometimes even practice doesn't make perfect >g< . In message , John writes

Reply to
Patti

That was the most infuriating bit - I thought I had left extra!!! . In message , Kiteflyer writes

Reply to
Patti

Boy, can you imagine the trouble I'd get into coping with 'how not to do FPP' *and* Andrew (publisher)!!! . In message , jennellh writes

Reply to
Patti

Well, the cutting of the pieces for the back went just fine!! As if I wasn't having enough trouble with the front, I decided to do a double-sided quilt >gg< . In message , KJ writes

Reply to
Patti

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