8 April 2016

New hobby!

As promised I'm going to tell you about my new excursion into foundation piecing. Now I've only ever done hand sewn patchwork and hadn't a clue what piecing was all about.  This is another of the useful links I found.

On a wonderful excursion into the wilds of Canada (somewhere near Toronto) I was taken to a quilt shop. I don't think I've ever seen so many fabrics and such inspiring work as I did that day. Well, Ruth (one of my hostesses) bought an owl kit (top picture below) and I looked and looked at it and thought and thought about it before thinking 'why not'? So, I bought one too.

Since last October I've read and read the destructions (yes I meant to put that word!) and it got more and more confusing in my brain. There's a practice piece and along with a couple of Youtube videos and knowing that Ruth would be five hours behind me in Canada on the other end of an email I started on the practice.

My first attempt was dire. Yes, dire. Really hadn't got the hang of it at all. So, what did I do? Well, made another template from the master and had another go. 

Well, I did email Ruth AND watched videos again before starting the second one.  That's underneath the kit picture.  First there's the right side and then the wrong - you can see I've taken the paper out.  Great tip from Ruth was to set the stitch length to 1.5 on the machine to make it easier to get the papers out.  More soon on my progress.



9 comments:

Maureen said...

It looks terribly complicated! - and I have not heard of this before. But the owls are very cute and trendy so I will be looking forward to seeing them in due course!

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

I haven't tried foundation piecing. It looks like a great way to incorporate all your favorite fabrics!

Mary J said...

The Craftsy block of the month 2012, free online course has foundation paper peicing in October. Watched it a couple days ago. Made it look easy!
Happy sewing

Jane Eborall said...

I must go and look for that later in Craftsy. It isn't hard to do when you've got your head round the technique but it's totally absorbing and addictive. Can't wait to get back to the owls tomorrow.

Madtatter80 said...

It's a big deal in the U.S. and many women take classes and even classed in the use of the wheel cutting too! love what you chosen and done too!

God's Kid said...

Interesting! :)

Ninetta said...

I like a lot this work, I also bought a kit last year, called "Gommine Necchi" (with a rubber-stamp in it) it's really addictive but difficult, so many scraps and waste of fabric. I should try again. Enjoy your new hobby!

Batty Tatter said...

"wilds of Canada" makes us Canadians sound like a bunch of bush bunnies.

Jane Eborall said...

Sorry, Batty Tatter. It's just such a HUGE place and so many miles to travel to get anywhere. In the UK you'd probably fall off into the sea if you went too far!!!! Humble apologies to all Canadians. Just LOVE your country.

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