Trying to join my Granny Square blocks and rows using my sewing machine was giving me fits. I was pulling out more seams than I was sewing. Yes, I know that's impossible, but it felt that way. Given the facts that I had 8 seams meeting and overlapping at each point and sewing lines on the bias, nothing was matching. I would pin and pin and pin, until I couldn't fit any more pins in. But the pins didn't help. The fabric layers would not stay put. I tried the layer of paper, as someone suggested. So then I had 9 layers. Didn't help.
So after a couple of days of this torture, I decided hand piecing was the only answer. That's how I learned to piece, way back when, and I knew that fabric was much easier to manipulate, at least for me, when working by hand. Granted hand piecing is usually a good bit slower; but what with pulling out every seam I was sewing, how much slower could it be?
I now have three rows of my quilt top finished. My left index finger, the one the needle point bumps into when I'm doing my running seams, is covered with pricks and is developing a callous, but my quilt is looking good. Not every point matches exactly, but most of them do, and those that don't are acceptable, to me at least if maybe not to a quilt show judge. And I'm enjoying the hand work, which I have always found relaxing.
So now, back to my piecing.
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On 01/27/2014, Hedy King said ...
Good for you, nothing beats taking a job in your own hands. Lovely work.
On 01/27/2014, Linda said ...
Wow! I never thought about that many layers of fabric and mighty close together!!!! It looks great!
On 01/27/2014, Barbara Anne said ...
I'm not sure how you ended up with 9 layers of fabric, but will have a good think on that.
You're lucky you know how to hand piece as that seems to be giving you beautiful results and as you said, it beats repeatedly taking stitches out. You might have heard Jenny Beyer saying that she hand pieces because she can take it wherever she is going and that actually makes it quicker than machine piecing. She also enjoys the process and rhythm of hand piecing. More power to you both!!
Hugs!
On 01/27/2014, Linda said ...
I do believe there are some applications that are more easily sewn by hand. Your results are beautiful!
On 02/04/2014, Kerrie said ...
Your work is always so perfect, love it! ♥
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