Alyssa out did herself on this design! It's packed full of techniques I have never tried. When My first thought 'perfect' quickly turned into 'Oh Crap' what have I gotten myself into?
I enrolled in the class and soon decided I should order the front fabric kit. I didn't want to become stressed out thinking about fabric choices.
Then I realized I needed the templates. And some of the skill builder supplies. Another order was placed. Oh Poop...I should have ordered the preprinted templates of freezer paper and stabilizer...too late for that as there were none available at that time. Since I ordered packages of the papers to print myself, I did just that. But I soon realized I didn't order enough stabilizer. Another order. Darn it...I ordered the wrong stuff...another order...
SO you can see how this went down! So much for trying to keep the stress level at a minimum!
I pieced together the templates and was ready to roll!
Supplies!! Isn't it fun to get new sewing toys?! I have never used design sheets, Elmer's glue or fusible bias tape web. This is going to be interesting!
The front fabric kit. A beautiful rainbow of colors and fabulous neutrals. I have a lot to pick from for the color wheel and the rest of the front. That layer cake of Kona solids made my heart beat a little faster...heaven!
 |
| Block #1 ~ The Color Wheel |
Wanna talk about intimidation? Oh, my! I stared, hemmed and hawed, took a lot of deep breaths and decided to just suck it up and deal! Pick some fabrics, starch, cut and do it. After all this is about skill building and if it looks like a pile of 'yuck'...so be it!
Much better. It feels pretty good.
I decided on these prints for the next round, but I must have tried 50 different combinations before I settled on this.
Last round...
Okay, I'm satisfied for the most part. Time to glue and iron the pieces to fabric!
I had so much fun with this part! A great big puzzle!
And then I got to this part. The fun abruptly stopped. Unfortunately I didn't get pictures for the bias tape process. I will say it was a royal pain in the ass. Sorry, but it was. Basically you use the design sheets and with an iron press the tape on the lines of the sheet. It shapes the tape and in the end it becomes this big piece of circles. After gently removing it from the design sheet you get to slide it onto the fabric.
At that point, I was trying to be super, super careful to make sure all the seams were covered. Move a little here, tug there, repositioning over and over. And I thought I did just that. I ironed the bias tape on and began to sew it down. Being careful. Stay close to the edge. There were a couple seams that didn't make it, so I ripped and fixed!
Free Motion quilting was next. Knowing that this is also a Quilt-As-You-Go block, I had to think hard on thread colors and design. It was going to be seen on the back after all.
Going for it! I said 'whatever' I'm using a rainbow of colored thread! Why not?! I decided on some basic designs for each round and went to town!
And, I was okay with it. My FMQ is getting better, but it isn't perfected. I kind of dig the rainbow of thread colors. So I reminded myself that this was a skill builder once again!
Block #1 is done for this month. Whew ~ yeah, I'm relieved. I have to think this is the most difficult block of the project.
After I finished the quilting, I noticed that there were several spots where the fabric seams came up. The glue didn't hold them down and the bias tape didn't cover/catch them. And then after burying the threads, even more showed. Ticked is an understatement. Again...skill builder reminder!
A couple things I would do differently. Maybe use more glue on the edges of the fabric. Maybe use steam-a-seam. Most importantly, I think I would iron the bias tape directly on to the fabric instead of shaping it ahead of time. It would have been easier to make sure the edges of the fabric were covered.
I am so happy to have started this Skill Builder BOM. I think it will broaden my knowledge (maybe just enough to get me in trouble), take me out of my comfort zone (and we all need that once in a while) and I get to gain more experience! YAY to that!
LINKING:
I am also having a giveaway right now!! You can find it here:
Oh this pattern is so fantastic! You chose wonderful colors and it looks awesome so far!
ReplyDeleteIt's simple outstanding! I love to push myself, too. I'm never so happy as when I'm trying to figure out how to do some crazy idea I got...
ReplyDeleteWell done you for getting block 1 done. I'm still colouring in! This has been quite a scary project and I keep telling myself the same - skill building!
ReplyDeleteIt might have been a pain in the a** but it sure turned out cute!!
ReplyDeleteWow that's fantastic! My DD is just finishing her 2013 project. I'm intrigued by yours.
ReplyDeleteLove this--it's beautiful! Nice quilting too--compliments it very well.
ReplyDeleteVisitng from WIP Wednesday. Your block is gorgeous. I was so tempted by this skill builder, but just didn't think I was up to it. Thank you for posting your experience - now I know I'm not there yet. Some day. I look forward to seeing your progress (vicarious participation).
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is so beautiful! I especially love the different colored threads for the quilting, that must have taken forever!
ReplyDeleteAfter all this skill building, you can rest on your laurels (should you choose to, which I doubt) for five years or so!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOh, MY. That's amazing. I'm glad you posted this, AND glad I read it. I'm not doing this skill builder, but I'm entering Unknown Territory with the fusible bias strips on a GIANT applique project I'm doing for my brother... I have no idea what I'm doing, but you've answered one question for me (iron the bias type on the design). good luck with your project; you're off to a great start!
ReplyDeleteI really like how your first block looks. Great work! I have just started to contemplate colors :)
ReplyDeleteI completely understand your frustration with applique and bias tape! I pretty much just won't mess with it because it never seems to go right. Kudos to you for sticking with it. I looks great!
ReplyDeleteWow! It looks amazing to me!
ReplyDeletethat is very pretty. That is a huge amount of work. you have been building skills. If I got that far, I would open a bottle of wine, slap on a back and call that a pillow and DONE. hang tough - your perseverance is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteYou are a courageous quilter. That is amazing!
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely stunning, but I'm a bit confused! You glue it?! How does that work? Does it mean you don't actually sew the curved seams... sorry to be dense, but I've read through the post a couple of times and I still can't quite work it out! :-)
ReplyDeleteI get that it drove you crazy trying to keep that bias tape covering all the edges... But it sure turned out beautiful. Love the quilting especially! Looks like a really fun project!
ReplyDeleteIf you edge turn the applique first, then you have a little bit of room to play with when you lay down the bias... meaning you can unfold a bit of the edge to make sure the pieces match up. A pain I know! But you are making great progress. Love the colors.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I really do like the rainbow of thread colours on the back. I'm still printing the freezer paper templates and waiting for my stabilizer to arrive so I can print those!
ReplyDeleteI just love that quilt . . . you are very brave ;) Your first block looks absolutely fantastic! And that rainbow goodness of thread on the back is awesome! You've got this! :)
ReplyDeleteSo envious you are doing this project. I wanted to do it but knew that the expense would be great and I am trying to sew my stash. I will just pretend and watch your journey. I have a friend near by that is doing it also. Should be gorgeous when done. Keep at it!
ReplyDeleteHoly moly; I've never done anything quite like this, and you have really inspired me to try new things. I especially love the rainbow quilting on the back. What a beautiful block!!!
ReplyDeleteThis looks absolutely amazing! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would have got past the white bias tape. I'm glad you stuck with it because it looks great. And I love your rainbow quilting!
ReplyDeleteFar out ... this is going to be awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI REALLY like it! New techniques rock!
ReplyDeleteI've been trolling the internet looking for others doing the Technicolor galaxy and I found you! Now I'm curious, have you kept going? This project is a bit overwhelming!
ReplyDelete