Pixie Ghost ~ Booyah!!

Another project I thought would be a breeze...had a few bumps along the way!  Regardless of the ups and downs I was able to finish two things and mark them off my list.  This little pixelated ghost and interfacing squares.  

Pixie Ghost
18" x 16"

I've had this little ghost tucked away in my mind and computer for years.  Knowing one day I'd tackle it and come up with a concrete idea on what I wanted to do.  That day came, the idea hit, it was time!

A long, long time ago I saw a tutorial on Sew Mama Sew on how to make Quick Piece Tiny Squares.  I always wanted to give it a try and now was the perfect time!

I decided to use 1" squares (unfinished), hundreds of squares, I'm going tiny here!  Like many of my projects, the idea hit and I had to capitalize on it, right then and there.  I grabbed some lightweight interfacing and began marking a grid with my ruler.  The first go around, I made a 1/2" grid. Which is what I wanted my squares to be when finished.  Oops, I had to remark the grid which ended up being a big confusing mess.  I had to go with it since I didn't have any more interfacing.

First problem:  The interfacing wasn't big enough, so I had to use 5 different pieces. 

Second problem:  Marking the grid.  I used a pencil on the non fusible side which was hard to see when it was time to place the squares.  

I have to say, I enjoyed this next step!  I used a washable glue stick and stuck each square on the fusible side of the interfacing.  I first placed the black squares for the outline and once I 'thought' I had it right the real fun began!  Putting all the filler squares inside.  When I say 'thought', I mean I had a hard time making the outline with the five pieces of interfacing.  A few frustrating moments at the beginning and then at the end when I thought it was right.

Third problem:  Confusion with the different pieces of interfacing.  

Forth problem:  It's important to be accurate when marking your grid.  

  

After all the pieces were glued, I ironed the squares on to the interfacing.  At this point you want to make sure everything is lined up exactly the way you want it.  Once they are fused...there's no going back!  I had to make a slight modification in my design because I made a little mistake!

The next step, sewing the 1/4" seams.  This part went pretty fast.  You do have to fiddle with it especially if you have small squares, but it's very doable.  I first stitched the vertical seams.

I'm thinking, those seams...they are going to be so bulky!  My solution was to cut the edge of the seams so I could press them open.  Good idea?  I thought so!  For this part I grabbed an old seam ripper, inserted it at the interfacing fold and it sliced it.  I was thinking this is great!  SO easy!  It was a royal pain in the butt pressing the seams open!  But the seam ripper, what a great idea...

Fifth problem:  Bulky seams.

And then the sewing the horizontal lines.  Here is where you could really feel the bulk adding up! The sections would naturally roll with each seam.  

With all the seams sewn it was time for the seam ripping magic.  Screeching halt!  It wasn't working.  I think it was because of the interfacing and how it's made?!  I don't know.  I ended up having to snip each seam with scissors.  It wasn't fun, it wasn't easy and it made a mess!  

Sixth problem:  Seam ripper action doesn't work on the seams.

Seventh problem:  The seams are even harder to press!

You might be asking why are you doing this?  I asked myself that same question!  Believe me, I was not feeling the love very much at this point.  What kept me going was the hope that it would all come together in the end.  

I still had to sew the five pieces of interfacing sections together.  I thought doing it after the seams was the best solution.  The jury is still out on that one, I may try something different next time...like using one piece of interfacing or using bigger squares!  As careful as I was to make the grid and layout the pieces, I had a difficult time lining up the squares.  It's amazing how off things can get.

Once all the pieces were together you wouldn't believe how heavy this became!  Yikes! I was shocked and knew if it turned out it was going to have to be washed to give it some 'drape'!

I used lighter squares for the filler on the outside, added an inside border of white, and then a final border using squares.  I didn't use interfacing for the outside border, I wanted to finish it at this point with little or no fussing.

It was time to quilt this sucker!  I used Aurifil white, black, pink and cream for the pebbles.  It went surprisingly fast and I was pleased with the results.  

The rest of the quilting, organic straight lines.  

A little plaid action in the corners just for fun!

The back has the 'spirit' of the ghost, which I love!  You can also see the piece scrappy binding.  Visual interest as they say!

Oh my goodness!  I actually finished it!  

I was so excited that I forgot to add my usual hanging corners on the back!

Eight problem:  Hanging method, don't forget!

Since my discovery of the Sew Mama Sew tutorial, there have been advances on this technique. Such as interfacing with a grid.  I've never used or seen it, but I've heard about it. 

My thoughts: 

Would I do it again?  Yes, maybe!  Even with all the pitfalls, it was still fun. 

Would I use 1" squares again?  No.  Too, too tiny!  I thought it would be more accurate for such small squares.  Mostly it was, but I think I could have achieved the same thing piecing strips of fabric, and by doing so not have the problem with the seams.

I found that no matter how careful you are at marking a grid and cutting 1" squares...it will be off.   

Would I use pieced interfacing again?  No.  When piecing sections together you would be surprised at how easily and how much your squares don't line up.   

The seams.  I don't even know what to say about those.  I choose to press them open.  I know others have not.  I'm left wondering what would happen if I used a 3/8" seam and then rotary cut the fold off, would that work?  Would it be easier?    

The stats on this little puppy:
Finished: 18" x 16"
Ghost/Center has: 672 ~ 1/2" squares
Border has: 126 ~ 1/2" squares
For a total of: 798 

Call me crazy!!

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