I'm getting ready to 'share my technique' of curved piecing at our next Guild meeting. I'm not a comfortable speaker or teacher or anything like that...but I also know these ladies are supportive and won't throw rotten tomatoes at me either! (or pin cushions!)
With that in mind I thought I should make a couple curved pieces for sharing and examples. Plus it was also an opportunity to make a basic tutorial too! You can find that here: Curves Tutorial.
Except for woven stripes, I don't think I have ever used prints in any of my curved piecing. What better time than now? I'll tell you...it was a challenge! I grabbed some Kate Spain Daydream, coordinating solids and was ready to roll!
I usually cut the strips before I start. Once I decide on fabric, what I plan to make in the end ~ I cut random widths varying from 1" to 3". Length is always a few inches longer than what the finished size of the piece will be. For me, how curvy I want the curves determines the width as well.
I overlap my first two pieces by an inch or so and gently free hand a curve with my rotary cutter. Think of your cutter as your drawing pen!
You can mark, pin and then sew your pieces or you can go rogue and just go for it. Once you become confident and comfortable with curves, you'll most likely skip this step!
The most import thing to remember is you want to have nice, smooth seams. Use small stitches, needle down and take your time.
Press your seam to one side.
And begin again...over and over and over! Overlap, cut, mark, pin, sew, press!
Before you know it you will have something like this. Row after row of wonderful curves!
I decided to make a mini quilt/wall hanging with this piece. At first I was unsure this would work for me. Me and prints have a love hate relationship.
I straightened up the edges, looked at it again and again...
...and promptly whacked it in to four 3" sections!
I decided to add a 1" white sashing and border, plus extended the Kona Honeysuckle wave. That took a couple times to line up correctly!
1 1/4" coordinating print.
And finish it off with a 2" white frame.
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| 18" x 13" |
I have to admit...I was not sure I was going to like this at all when I started it. It wasn't until I cut the 4 sections that I was sure I could make it work.
It ended up being a sweet little mini quilt! I machine quilted organic wavy lines and used Kona Honeysuckle for the binding.
If anyone has any tips on curves, I would love to hear them!
LINKING:
After reading your curves tutorial, it is even more fun to see what a sweet quilt your curvy block made! Cutting it apart and sashing between was brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure about this piece, but after cutting it in sections…I became more sure!
DeleteYou make that look so easy. It a must try technique!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope you get a chance to try it out!
DeleteThis quilt is beautiful! Great choice of fabrics, and I love the little border fabric, too.
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I've used this technique before but not layered like yours. It reminds me of those glass bottles filled with different colors of sand. :)
ReplyDeleteOh boy, that looks super cool and I think I will have to give it a go! Thanks for sharing, you explained it really well. I am sure your 'lecture' will go well.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do get the chance to try this method! And thank you…I wasn't sure I explained it very well at all!
DeleteThank you for sharing the How To! A mini is a great way to practice, but I never think of doing things small scale. A lovely reminder.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tutorial and beautiful mini! Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSometimes a piece just needs to be cut apart and sewn back together until it looks right! Your mini is awesome!!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a beautiful sunset in the mountains. Great work.
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty much out of my comfort zone using prints, but in the end I enjoyed it and very happy with the Mini Quilt!
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