I cannot stress enough the importance of making a test block of an unfamiliar pattern or construction method.
I had previously cut a lot - a lot!!! - of 2" strips for a postage stamp project. I sewed them into strata and cross cut them to make checkerboards. This is what's left over after I cut all I needed for the blocks.
This is not working for me, for multiple reasons.
1. It was hard to cut through one strata with the ruler, awkward and didn't cut through in places. I tried several different rotary cutters. The pattern says to stack several strata and cut through multiple layers. Impossible for me.
2. I followed the pattern instructions exactly. They were somewhat confusing, so I reread them until I understood exactly how to place the ruler and make the cuts. I don't like the result. The points of the football shape are cut off, and the corner triangles extend inconsistently more than 1/4" into the seam allowances at the edges of the block. Upon close examination of the pattern, this is actually illustrated in the graphics. If I'm going to put all this work into something, I want it to look like it was made with skill. I want accurate points that meet where they're supposed to. It's just me, but I'm fussy that way.
3. My strata alternate dark and light stripes and I don't like how the light stripes disappear into the background. I don't think my strata are suitable for a ring design after all.
So, this ruler method is not for me, and this design concept is not working for my strata. I'll have to come up with a Plan B....
The original postage stamp project is kitted up for retreat in April. I have a few other projects I can take along to keep me busy. Plan B and the box of leftover strata can wait.
Linking up with Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
No comments:
Post a Comment