teaching sewing confidence, tip by tip

Tuesday 2 April 2013

Woven Star & Woven Chevrons Blocks - Skill Builder BOM: March/HSTs & QSTs & Bias Sewing


And next up, my March Skill Builder BOM blocks.  This month involved lots of Half Square and Quarter Square Triangles (HSTs & QSTs); of course, this means sewing on the bias, which makes the fabric stretchy, and this can cause your blocks to distort.


MY TIPS FOR WORKING WITH FABRIC CUT ON THE BIAS:
  • starch your fabric well before cutting
  • pin well so the fabric can't move and stretch while you're sewing it
  • direct the fabric through the machine using only your fingertips - don't hold the fabric, or you can stretch it.
  • when ironing seams - be sure only to press don't move the iron as this can also stretch and misshape fabric.
 

Alyssa @Pile O'Fabric explains straight grain, bias, and triangles (maths, cutting, lining up) in these blocks' instructions.


Anyway, here's a look at my latest 2 blocks :)


WOVEN STAR



WOVEN CHEVRONS
 
 


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16 comments:

  1. Your blocks are looking lovely Chrissie! I've yet to do March's blocks - I've run out of starch, which is quite amusing given that it's been sitting in the cupboard for years and barely been used and then I join the BOM and boom - Gone! x

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    1. Thanks Sonia, I'd never used starch before, same as you I had a bottle sat there and never touched it - I'm on my 3rd large bottle since starting this BOM, I can't bear to work without it now - how did that happen???!!! :)

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  2. I really like the woven chevrons... the star is a very interesting pattern. I may have to give them a try.

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    1. You've got a whole year to catch up if you decide to join in Ann - but the blocks are great stand alones for cushions as well. I really like the woven chevrons and even more so now that I've quilted it today :)

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  3. These turned out great! I like the colors. I liked your blocks for last month as well. I have been busy studying so I am not done yet, but soon!

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    1. I've finally caught up with everything on the Skill Builder BOM - finished fmqing them all today. Like the vintage shop photos over on your blog, glad I got to see them before anyone asks you to take them down ;) Hope your studying's all gone to plan :)

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  4. Great blocks Chrissie! I really like the woven chevrons. I always amazes me how much can be done with HST. Well done!

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    1. The woven chevron's my favourite and I completely agree about the versatility of the HST! :)

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  5. Like the woven chevrons Chrissie, a whole quilt of them would be fabulous!

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    1. Totally agree - the woven chevrons are a hit with all of us I think and WOW to a whole quilt of them, you're so right, I think it'd be stunning too :)

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  6. The blocks look great! I really love the Woven Chevrons!

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  7. Looking good! I haven't even cut my fabric for these yet. I am anxious to see how you quilt them up!

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    1. So glad I'm finally up-to-date with these blocks Julie, I've fmq'd them today and just posted about it :)

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Chris Dodsley


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