Tricky shapes in PFPing

Jun 02, 2007 9 Replies

I usually have enough fabric to cover those weird, odd shaped areas when PFPing, but I also have a lot of fabric wasted since I tend to cut a huge piece just to be sure it will cover all the area. I am going to adopt this method..... and save my scrap heap from becoming the size of a landfill! ;-)



formatting link
Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.


I guess I'm having a duhhhhh moment. The directions and pictures don't make any sense to me. Maybe I'll let my QI look at them and explain it to me.

If any FPP pattern includes triangles or any other odd shape, I always draw one extra pattern. Then I cut it out carefully and use the pieces as templates, cut round them roughly half an inch away from the edge of the paper. That way you always know that your pieces will fit. Then as you go, place each piece of fabric right side up in its place on the whole pattern you are sewing. That will show you the angle to set it at. If you have trimmed the previous seam nicely, you will see just how it should be set. Yes, you do waste a tiny bit of fabric, but far less that just cutting 'chunks'; also, cutting a chunk doesn't give you the correct angle, and it is these angles that give the most chance for error. I found the 'butterfly' example a little complex to follow - must be too late for thinking! . In message , Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. writes

The bit I always find especially difficult is getting a non bias edge to the block. Sometimes I find the only way is a template!

That's my method Leslie! Whenever anyone complains about FPP...I refer then to this page. Once you learn to use the "trick", you'll not have trouble again. You won't be holding the pattern and fabric up to the light any longer! I teach with handouts from this site. She's very generous about giving permission to copy and distribute this information.

Another thing....if you draw the direction you want a stripe or straight of grain to go right on the paper, you can orient the fabric much easier. I pre-fold all the seam lines before I start stitching. That way I have an outline of the pieces to view from the top when thinking about the "butterfly wings" reverse. OH dear....I suppose this doesn't make much sense. Everyone come over to my house and I'll demonstrate. I'll have iced tea and cookies.

I always do a "template" type thing. Cut to shape and a bit oversize, I can control where the grain line is on each piece. (the only thing I have to remember is to cut the fabric the correct way up--- )

Pati,> Leslie & The Furbabies >

I think I'm probably going to need to come over for you to show me. Tea and cookies would be nice but may I assume that you'll have tasteful refreshments for my bodyguards? I don't travel without them. Some of them are quite fussy, and please. None of those coconut marinated tourists. Cholesterol, you know. Polly

If you're talking about those body guards that have the short legs and big mouths....I have a lot of deer we could offer. Yesterday I saw a turkey cruising through the back yard. There are many chipmonks aka ground squirrels that I'd love to serve up! There's quite a smorgasboard out back! The 17 year cicadas are just getting started too! Those would only be a small crunchy appetizer though.

Good method! (especially because that's the way I do it too ;-) And if you want, you can leave the paper folded back and sew right along the crease. No foundations to tear away, may be re-used. And if you use freezer paper, it will stick to the parts that are already sewn in place. Roberta in D

"Leslie & The Furbabies in MO." schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@mid.individual.net...

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required