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#1
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A new approach to tumbling blocks
One of my goals in quilting was to do a quilt in baby or tumbling
blocks. I have always understood that the only way to do this particular pattern was to use the English paper piecing method. This has been off putting for me as I didn't want to do all of that hand sewing for each and every block on the large sized quilt I had envisioned. I tried to think of the reason that it was stated in every book that I own that makes reference to sewing that design, that the only way to do it is with paper piecing. Well, let me disabuse you of that idea. I decided to spend the afternoon sewing a number of blocks into a pattern that will constitute the soon to be long hoped for quilt of baby or tumbling blocks.. I don't understand what all the fuss is about using a machine to sew this pattern. Yes you have to set in points, but that is half the fun of it. I note that my Bernina 1/4" quilting foot has hash marks on both sides of the base of the foot, and that greatly facilitates placement of the needle in exactly the right place to make the points on the block meet. I have a starting swatch of 8 blocks completed and I don't see how using the paper piecing method could have produced any more exact placements of the blocks. I won't be able to finish this quilt with any great speed, as it is an exacting discipline to get every thing right and requires constant attention. I am also in the midst of a woodworking project so I only have afternoons to devote to this project. But I am happy to report that it is possible to do this pattern only by machine, and it is not any more demanding than some other ones of a supposedly difficult nature. Good news for me as I don't do hand sewing with any degree of interest or skill, due to the calloused stubby fingers that are the result of work experience plus genetics. They are, as I like to say, perfectly suited to potato grubbing like my Irish ancestors used to use such for. If you have ever thought of doing this pattern, but hesitated to try it by machine, go ahead and disregard the books and give it a try. You will probably find that it is not that big a deal, and you will be able to add another skill to your quiver of quilting arrows. I have for edification, the proof of the above, below. http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...00692635qXHzbG John |
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#2
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A new approach to tumbling blocks
Beautiful John. Can't wait to see the finished quilt. This is one of those
quilts that are on my someday list but seeing how I love doing things by hand, I will probably EPP it. -- Charlotte http://community.webshots.com/user/charh108 http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/hh171/charh108/ "John" wrote in message ... One of my goals in quilting was to do a quilt in baby or tumbling blocks. I have always understood that the only way to do this particular pattern was to use the English paper piecing method. This has been off putting for me as I didn't want to do all of that hand sewing for each and every block on the large sized quilt I had envisioned. I tried to think of the reason that it was stated in every book that I own that makes reference to sewing that design, that the only way to do it is with paper piecing. Well, let me disabuse you of that idea. I decided to spend the afternoon sewing a number of blocks into a pattern that will constitute the soon to be long hoped for quilt of baby or tumbling blocks.. I don't understand what all the fuss is about using a machine to sew this pattern. Yes you have to set in points, but that is half the fun of it. I note that my Bernina 1/4" quilting foot has hash marks on both sides of the base of the foot, and that greatly facilitates placement of the needle in exactly the right place to make the points on the block meet. I have a starting swatch of 8 blocks completed and I don't see how using the paper piecing method could have produced any more exact placements of the blocks. I won't be able to finish this quilt with any great speed, as it is an exacting discipline to get every thing right and requires constant attention. I am also in the midst of a woodworking project so I only have afternoons to devote to this project. But I am happy to report that it is possible to do this pattern only by machine, and it is not any more demanding than some other ones of a supposedly difficult nature. Good news for me as I don't do hand sewing with any degree of interest or skill, due to the calloused stubby fingers that are the result of work experience plus genetics. They are, as I like to say, perfectly suited to potato grubbing like my Irish ancestors used to use such for. If you have ever thought of doing this pattern, but hesitated to try it by machine, go ahead and disregard the books and give it a try. You will probably find that it is not that big a deal, and you will be able to add another skill to your quiver of quilting arrows. I have for edification, the proof of the above, below. http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...00692635qXHzbG John |
#3
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A new approach to tumbling blocks
John wrote:
One of my goals in quilting was to do a quilt in baby or tumbling blocks. I have always understood that the only way to do this particular pattern was to use the English paper piecing method. There are always options! Anything that can be paper pieced can be machine pieced, it may have Y seams, or curved piecing, but it's never impossible. There is a way that reduces the number of set in seams, but would only look tolerable on certain fabric choices, which is to split one diamond into two triangles, join each of those to a diamond, join the results to a hexagon. You'd still have set in seams whilst joining all the blocks together. Tumbling blocks is something I've never really had an urge to do, but it's not the construction that puts me off, it just doesn't really "do" anything for me. Cheers Anne |
#4
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A new approach to tumbling blocks
On Feb 27, 4:53*pm, Anne Rogers wrote:
John wrote: One of my goals in quilting was to do a quilt in baby or tumbling blocks. I have always understood that the only way to do this particular pattern was to use the English paper piecing method. There are always options! Anything that can be paper pieced can be machine pieced, it may have Y seams, or curved piecing, but it's never impossible. There is a way that reduces the number of set in seams, but would only look tolerable on certain fabric choices, which is to split one diamond into two triangles, join each of those to a diamond, join the results to a hexagon. You'd still have set in seams whilst joining all the blocks together. Tumbling blocks is something I've never really had an urge to do, but it's not the construction that puts me off, it just doesn't really "do" anything for me. Cheers Anne I love the optical illusion of this design. The next thing on the agenda for this type of thing, is the hollow tumbling block quilt. . Even more set in stuff. That should put the challenge back in quilting for me. Gotta love those challenges. John |
#5
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A new approach to tumbling blocks
Way to go, John!!
Karen, Queen of Squishies, always proud of someone's growth! -- and when you get the chance to sit it out or dance....... I hope you dance One of my goals in quilting was to do a quilt in baby or tumbling blocks. I have always understood that the only way to do this particular pattern was to use the English paper piecing method. This has been off putting for me as I didn't want to do all of that hand sewing for each and every block on the large sized quilt I had envisioned. I tried to think of the reason that it was stated in every book that I own that makes reference to sewing that design, that the only way to do it is with paper piecing. Well, let me disabuse you of that idea. I decided to spend the afternoon sewing a number of blocks into a pattern that will constitute the soon to be long hoped for quilt of baby or tumbling blocks.. I don't understand what all the fuss is about using a machine to sew this pattern. Yes you have to set in points, but that is half the fun of it. I note that my Bernina 1/4" quilting foot has hash marks on both sides of the base of the foot, and that greatly facilitates placement of the needle in exactly the right place to make the points on the block meet. I have a starting swatch of 8 blocks completed and I don't see how using the paper piecing method could have produced any more exact placements of the blocks. I won't be able to finish this quilt with any great speed, as it is an exacting discipline to get every thing right and requires constant attention. I am also in the midst of a woodworking project so I only have afternoons to devote to this project. But I am happy to report that it is possible to do this pattern only by machine, and it is not any more demanding than some other ones of a supposedly difficult nature. Good news for me as I don't do hand sewing with any degree of interest or skill, due to the calloused stubby fingers that are the result of work experience plus genetics. They are, as I like to say, perfectly suited to potato grubbing like my Irish ancestors used to use such for. If you have ever thought of doing this pattern, but hesitated to try it by machine, go ahead and disregard the books and give it a try. You will probably find that it is not that big a deal, and you will be able to add another skill to your quiver of quilting arrows. I have for edification, the proof of the above, below. http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...00692635qXHzbG John |
#6
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A new approach to tumbling blocks
Very nice John.
http://aliciasattic.com/ Some gorgeous variations here and in the book featured by Sara Nephew, but also the "Not Your Grandmother's . . . . " series of patterns with easier construction techniques for hex and diamond designs for those put off by the piecing. They work best in prints as they involve extra seams. -- Cheryl & the Cats in OZ o o o o o o ( Y ) ( Y ) and ( Y ) Boofhead Donut Rasputin http://community.webshots.com/user/witchofthewest catsatararatATyahooDOTcomDOTau "Anne Rogers" wrote in message ... : John wrote: : One of my goals in quilting was to do a quilt in baby or tumbling : blocks. I have always understood that the only way to do this : particular pattern was to use the English paper piecing method. : : There are always options! Anything that can be paper pieced can be : machine pieced, it may have Y seams, or curved piecing, but it's never : impossible. : : There is a way that reduces the number of set in seams, but would only : look tolerable on certain fabric choices, which is to split one diamond : into two triangles, join each of those to a diamond, join the results to : a hexagon. You'd still have set in seams whilst joining all the blocks : together. : : Tumbling blocks is something I've never really had an urge to do, but : it's not the construction that puts me off, it just doesn't really "do" : anything for me. : : Cheers : Anne |
#7
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A new approach to tumbling blocks
I have done some similar blocks by machine, and have some more planned. G
However smaller ones are easier to do by hand, but not with English Paper Piecing, at least for me VBG !!!! I am working on some with Inklingo printed fabrics, diamonds that are 1" on a side. G Pati, in Phx who also has short, stubby Irish fingers.G Charlotte wrote: Beautiful John. Can't wait to see the finished quilt. This is one of those quilts that are on my someday list but seeing how I love doing things by hand, I will probably EPP it. |
#8
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A new approach to tumbling blocks
Karen Combs (???) has a book titled "Optical Illusions for Quilters"
that has a lot of info on this type of quilt. And how to machine piece it all. G Great book for those who like the op-art type things. Pati, in Phx John wrote: On Feb 27, 4:53 pm, Anne Rogers wrote: John wrote: One of my goals in quilting was to do a quilt in baby or tumbling blocks. I have always understood that the only way to do this particular pattern was to use the English paper piecing method. There are always options! Anything that can be paper pieced can be machine pieced, it may have Y seams, or curved piecing, but it's never impossible. There is a way that reduces the number of set in seams, but would only look tolerable on certain fabric choices, which is to split one diamond into two triangles, join each of those to a diamond, join the results to a hexagon. You'd still have set in seams whilst joining all the blocks together. Tumbling blocks is something I've never really had an urge to do, but it's not the construction that puts me off, it just doesn't really "do" anything for me. Cheers Anne I love the optical illusion of this design. The next thing on the agenda for this type of thing, is the hollow tumbling block quilt. . Even more set in stuff. That should put the challenge back in quilting for me. Gotta love those challenges. John |
#9
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A new approach to tumbling blocks
I played with Tumbling Blocks for a few days, John and decided that they
weren't for me. They ended up in the trash; no temper fit or anything. I just didn't enjoy the doing of it. If you would consider suggestions from a confessed failure, I think you might want to set your stitch length a little shorter, consider using a darker thread (perhaps gray) and see what happens if you press your seams open. Don't know if any of these ideas will be worth a hoot to you; just wanted to help you succeed where I shamelessly abandoned ship. Polly "Karen, Queen of Squishies" hicall80 @ mchsi.com wrote in message news:7Rlxj.52823$yE1.49433@attbi_s21... Way to go, John!! Karen, Queen of Squishies, always proud of someone's growth! -- and when you get the chance to sit it out or dance....... I hope you dance One of my goals in quilting was to do a quilt in baby or tumbling blocks. I have always understood that the only way to do this particular pattern was to use the English paper piecing method. This has been off putting for me as I didn't want to do all of that hand sewing for each and every block on the large sized quilt I had envisioned. I tried to think of the reason that it was stated in every book that I own that makes reference to sewing that design, that the only way to do it is with paper piecing. Well, let me disabuse you of that idea. I decided to spend the afternoon sewing a number of blocks into a pattern that will constitute the soon to be long hoped for quilt of baby or tumbling blocks.. I don't understand what all the fuss is about using a machine to sew this pattern. Yes you have to set in points, but that is half the fun of it. I note that my Bernina 1/4" quilting foot has hash marks on both sides of the base of the foot, and that greatly facilitates placement of the needle in exactly the right place to make the points on the block meet. I have a starting swatch of 8 blocks completed and I don't see how using the paper piecing method could have produced any more exact placements of the blocks. I won't be able to finish this quilt with any great speed, as it is an exacting discipline to get every thing right and requires constant attention. I am also in the midst of a woodworking project so I only have afternoons to devote to this project. But I am happy to report that it is possible to do this pattern only by machine, and it is not any more demanding than some other ones of a supposedly difficult nature. Good news for me as I don't do hand sewing with any degree of interest or skill, due to the calloused stubby fingers that are the result of work experience plus genetics. They are, as I like to say, perfectly suited to potato grubbing like my Irish ancestors used to use such for. If you have ever thought of doing this pattern, but hesitated to try it by machine, go ahead and disregard the books and give it a try. You will probably find that it is not that big a deal, and you will be able to add another skill to your quiver of quilting arrows. I have for edification, the proof of the above, below. http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...00692635qXHzbG John |
#10
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A new approach to tumbling blocks
On Feb 27, 10:04*pm, "Polly Esther" wrote:
* * I played with Tumbling Blocks for a few days, John and decided that they weren't for me. *They ended up in the trash; no temper fit or anything. *I just didn't enjoy the doing of it. *If you would consider suggestions from a confessed failure, I think you might want to set your stitch length a little shorter, consider using a darker thread (perhaps gray) and see what happens if you press your seams open. *Don't know if any of these ideas will be worth a hoot to you; just wanted to help you succeed where I shamelessly abandoned ship. *Polly I know about he stitch length. This was just a test series to see of I could do it. The color of the thread is natural, which is what I use for most piecing, I just pressed these open really flat and with a lot of heat so they are still cooling down from the pressing and have not come back to their natural lay. I think the stitch length is about 2.40 or so. it is hard to tell on the mechanical slide on the 1008, but they are short. When they are stitched in the ditch, they will likely disappear. John |
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