zondag 29 mei 2016

The Splendid Sampler™ - blocks 26, 27 and 28, learning a lot!

In each of these 3 blocks I did something I never did before. So I'm doing what I set out to do in joining the The Splendid Sampler™ : have fun and learn new skills.

Block 28, "Stitching Fashion", had me doing intricate, figurative paper piecing for the first time. It didn't come out perfect (I printed it too small, so I had to add some background, and the waist of the skirt and the bodice don't quite line up), but I'm very pleased with the end result.



28 Stitching Fashion

For block 27, "Sewing Machine", I decided not to hand appliqué. Instead I tried something new. I used machine applique with the stitch for hemming. At least I think that's what it's used for. It's the one where your machine makes 4 or 5 little straight stitches, followed by one to the side (like a single zigzag). The end result is a bit like feston- or blanket-stitch.

27 Sewing Machine

Finally I made my first ever Dresden plate. Like for block 28 and 27, I'd printed my templates too small, but since it's appliqué, I decided it didn't really matter and made it anyway. I used the same stitch to applique it to the background and then trimmed the thing off center! So I added a trim all around to center the motive. I also went for a simple Dresden, without the antennae in the design. Since I'm new to Dresden plates, AND the whole thing was smaller (so more difficult to sew accurately) than the design, I thought it would be okay to simplify things a bit for myself.

26 Dreaming of Dresden
Blanket stitch applique

Another view of my new technique.
 Finally, I just want to mention my Splendid Sampler Sheet again. It's just a list of all the blocks and room for me to mark which ones I have downloaded, cut, pieced, sashed and blogged, but for me it took the stress out of "lagging behind".  With a move at work, colleagues on sick leave, children with chicken pox, a trip with the band and lots of fun things to do in the garden now spring is finally here, I have fallen behind with my blocks. In itself this did not bother me, but I found that I was getting stressed from not knowing what to do next. Just the question "Which block should or could I make next?" made me break out in a sweat. Now, I just start with a look at my Splendid Sampler Sheet, decide what to work on depending on my time and fancy, and feel satisfied checking off the next box and looking at all those checks for all the work I've done! I know it's probably ridiculously OCD for some, but it works for me. And today (rainy Sunday, nowhere to go) I got to make 9 checks!

I may be 7 blocks behind, but look at all those checks for everything I have done!




2 opmerkingen:

  1. Love the organization that the sheet gives you. I would like to copy your idea if that's ok.

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    Reacties
    1. Please do, it's just a list, not some crazy original creative product of my mind that is copyrighted and only available to the highest bidder! :-)

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