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Sunday, March 22, 2009

I'm a winner!

I was a winner in Julie's drawing for her 200th post giveaway. It has one of my favorite Bible verses on it and it is hand embroidered. I love hand embroidery. Thank you, Julie.

Someone asked about the templates I was using on the Strips 'n Curves quilt. Here are Basic sets 1 and 2 which I used all of.
This is the mini beg and borrow 6" block set which I used 3 out of to make the small purple print arcs. Here are some blocks made from the set too.
I pulled a pile of light color batiks to cut for my 1.5" strip project.
And here is what is still on the shelves that didn't make the cut.
I am always talking about the clean up cuts that I use in my crazy piecing, cobblestone blocks, and strip pieced set (like in my Second favorite quilt on my sidebar). They are the piece I cut off to straighten the fabric so I can cut my 1.5" strips. I always cut off a wide enough piece to be able to use it instead of cutting off a skinny crooked piece and throwing it away.
I had several questions yesterday and the day before about seams being pressed open. In the Strips 'n Curves book this is the method used and Louisa has a neat tip to press them easily. In other quilts I press seams open when the pieces are small and/or when I think a lot of bulk will occur if I didn't do it. Back in the 1970's and 80's when we were using polyester batting and putting very little quilting in a quilt, the seams were always pressed to one side for strength. Also I believe hand quilters always press the seams to one side, again for strength. A seam that is pressed open is weaker. In the current time period we are using a lot more quilting on the quilts and the strength of the seam is not as much of an issue.
Have a great Sunday everyone!

16 comments:

  1. congratulations on your little prize! It is beautiful.
    Thank you also for showing the templates you used.

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  2. I'm glad you didn't you all of your lights! It would be a tragedy to run out! I love your little wall hanging. She did a beautiful job on it.

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  3. Great tip regarding cutting enough off the strip ends to be able to use it in something else.

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  4. Thanks for the pictures of the templates. I think I'll get some eventually.

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  5. I like your idea of cutting off enough to use it again. No wasting those beautiful batiks. I am very jealous of that stash, though....lol many pretty lights. What is the new project?....any hints?

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  6. Very good hint on cutting off a bit extra when straightening an edge to use in something like your cobblestone blocks which I have to tell you I love the look of, instead of throwing away more fabric.

    Also I never knew why we pressed seams to one side or the other in quilting while in clothes making seams were pressed open, other than the seams are so much smaller in quilting. I didn't realize that it had to do with the strength of the seams.

    Thanks again for your wonderful bits of wisdom.

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  7. Wanda,
    What gorgeous light batiks you have- and so beautifully organized.
    What a good idea to trim a wider strip when straightening so the piece is useful.
    What nice little prize for you to win- it couldn't happen to a nicer person.
    Enjoy your day.
    Regards,
    Anna

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  8. Wanda, please visit my blog. I have awarded you for your attitude.

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  9. Congratulations, Wanda, on winning the prize!
    Your tip on cutting he strips when straightening is worth its weight in gold! I'd love to come play with those stacks of light batiks!! What a collection!!

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  10. Love the little scripture quilt... adorable. Well I guess you don't need to buy any light fabrics. You have tons! I love them all and they should be plenty to finish your project.

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  11. wow -- if you're looking for someone to bequeath those batiks to... (LOL!)
    and thanks for showing the emplates; I was wondering how you cut such perfect curves.

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  12. I have a question about your clean-up cuts. Do you "rip" across the fabric from selvege to selvege first to establish the true cross-wise grain? Otherwise, how do YOU do it? Thanks.

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  13. I think the wider clean up cuts is a very good tip.
    Love all the fabrics of course!

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  14. Wanda,
    We knew you are a winner!
    I definitely have some stash acquiring to do as I rarely buy light batiks (I have lots of mediums and darks). Gotta add some zing!
    Vicky F

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  15. Love the visual of the light batiks on your shelf . . . do you have a special way of folding that allows them to lie so flat and even?

    Yes, you're a winner ~ for LOTS of reasons!

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  16. I love your quilts. Where did you buy the templates? I called my local stores and they don't carry them. I have done quilts with curves but I made my own templates out of cereal boxes! I enjoyed reading your older postings.
    Thanks for your blog...

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