Friday, November 30, 2012

Doing it...MY way.



In all my times as a quilter, I have never enjoyed teensy, tinsy applique.  For one, it's tedious to do.  And, for another, it's so hard to get something perfectly sewn.  Now, I am not a perfectionist, by any means, and what I am about to show you will testify to that.  But, I do want what I am making to look as good as possible.  I love a crisp corner and a sharp point.  I thrill at a perfectly round circle.  So, in the case of itty-bitty sewing, I've made a compromise.


This is one of the few times I am going to willingly show you where something didn't turn out quite right...and this is because I've re-done the entire block.  If you'll notice the carrot nose in this one, it's kind of lumpy and the tip isn't a nice sharp point...and you can see my pencil marks...right then.  Not amazing.


What it is now.  I have decided, since this quilt is a wall-hanging and won't be used for snuggling and keeping warm and won't be washed, that felt is just fine.  As you can see, you can cut out a piece of felt and it won't fray.  I didn't even take the time to do a blanket stitch around the edge, I just took some matching thread and tacked the felt piece in place with a few well-placed cross stitches.  So easy.  So quick...and it looks sharp.


Here's another bit on my original that I am exceedingly displeased with...spots like this glove where you have a concave curve.  It sharply turns up after the curve and there is no way to appropriately sew that down with applique.  So, you have to kind of use little stitches around the curve and hope nobody looks too closely.


Here they are, side by side.  My new one which is iron-on transfer, tacked on using a blanket stitch and using felt for the small bits, and my original which is 100% applique.  I could have iron-on transferred the small pieces on the new one and gotten the crisp look I wanted, but I didn't want to blanket stitch around them all.  The felt, really is me being exceedingly lazy.  But, I want to enjoy my crafting, so I knew that sewing around every coal eye and button and carrot nose would make me crazy.  For the safety of my family, felt was the right choice.

I hope you'll agree, my new one is much better than my original. 

So, moral of the story...if you hate something, don't do it.  Change it to suit your pleasure.

Thanks for reading!


Heather

10 comments:

  1. Heather, I am glad to know that I'm not the only one who gets bored with some of the tedious details in crafting. Your pieces always turn out beautiful, no matter how you piece them together. Can't wait to see this one finished and displayed. I love the little umbrellas, hats and scarves!

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    1. Sherry...it's a common problem with me. I've had to teach myself patience to make things look nice...and not just rush through things for the sake of getting them done faster.

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  2. Heather, you have such talent. I don't know how you do it, with all those tiny details....I love your work. I agree, the new one is pretty awesome (better than the first - but the first was cute too) :) I'm so glad you did it your way! I can't wait to see everything finished!

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    1. Thanks Mary! The thing is, the tiny details make things so much fun...they're just a lot of work. But, it is worth it in the end...as long as you don't make yourself crazy in the process.

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  3. Heather those are both just so darn cute! I love that you are thrilled by perfection...crisp corners, round circles...it's a tough life!! When Judy and I did wall hangings in Montana (about as much sewing as I ever liked) I drove her crazy with my perfectly spaced hand stitching which took me forever!! It was my favorite part of the sewing though....i found it relaxing....Judy found it maddening!!I do love the little guys with the hats and scarves! Nice job!!

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    1. Danni...:) We are total nerds, but there is just something so satisfying about perfection. I love hand sewing too! I get to hang out with my family and not be stuck in my sewing room. Much better. I'm glad you like it!

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  4. Wow heather that is so cute, I'm a bit partial to snowmen, a bit like Santa, I've never actually seen one!

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    1. Mel, you are so cute. I wish I could send you a snowman...when I get another one myself. Snow has been kinda scarce this winter.

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  5. I love this Heather - I wish I could quilt like you - I'm limited to sewing suares together and calling it done. I love the detail and the felt is a brilliant idea xxx

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    1. Nat, you totally could...When I finally make it to NZ I'll be sure to bring my sewing machine...and an adapter...and we'll make a date of it!

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