Class 170: Yardage Lessons 1,2,3

On to my next class where we focus on reading a block for yardage requirements.
Lesson 1 was simply terminology that I needed to be familiar with in order to proceed to the next lesson. I think I was already familiar with all of it, or it was all very self explanatory.

Lesson 2 teaches how to "read" blocks and the basic formula for figuring yardage needed. I will probably not memorize the formula, but if I were to use it plenty it would become fairly logical. 

Lesson 3 applies lesson 1 and 2 to the Double Irish Chain Baby Quilt project coming up in this class. I call this lesson the instant gratification of learning. Application. My favorite part, in just about anything. 
Just to keep accountable, I scanned my calculation page, but my pencil didn't show up dark enough. Therefore, I'll spare you my mess.  I did do all the calculations, and came up with the same numbers as in the book. The tricky parts were:

• Remembering which grid size you're using for going across cut length vs. running  length down the block. 
• I had to look at and read the explanation for Block B about 10 times before I finally understood how to find 4 different like units. Pay attention. I'm not at all sure I would have figured out that the top units are not the same as the side units on my own. 

I took the plunge, and dropped off my sewing machine at the sewing center for servicing yesterday.  I decided to call first and ask some questions though, hoping to convince myself I didn't need to do this yet. I was informed that servicing a computerized display screen type machine involves opening up the machine and cleaning as well as reset the timing and making adjustments, including calibrating the needle to the new throat plate. This should realign the needle so it isn't off to the side anymore.  I decided that it probably warranted the work just for that, even though I haven't serviced it since I bought it. The cost would be $99.95 + parts. Hopefully, since nothing is broken, I won't need parts. Eeek.  Hopefully, I can get away with another 8 years :) I can pick it back up on Thursday.

After dropping off the machine, I decided since I was out, to start my hunt for fabric for the next project: Carrie's Inlaid Tile Table Runner.

Grrr.Matching the type of fabrics used is not going to happen because I can't find a border fabric that runs parallel to the selvage that is suitable for a table runner.This is what I ended up with. The fabric is from the Kate of Spain line.

Since I can't start the project, I'll save more info about this choice of fabric for later when I post on the project. Please tell me you can guess which will be the border fabric.

Completed Block B

I spent last night sewing, since dh was tired and went to bed.  It also helps that I was on the last disk of Harry Potter 4 and wanted to finish it up!

This is the makings of Block B, Harriet's Double 9 Patch Chain.
Strips were 3 1/2", nice and big for a change!  My issue with cutting them?  Well, I have a 2.5" and 3.5" ruler in Creative Grid (CG). Then, I jump to a 6.5" Omnigrid. It is too hard to line up an edge of a ruler with the edge of fabric, so I went with my 6.5". I already know that my issue will be that the measurements will not be the exact same as in my Block A, because it was measured with the CG.
Sure enough, they are on the tad big side! I guess that makes for cutting down better than being too small.

Here I got all 13 of them sewn together, and used my CG square ruler to size them perfectly. Just a smidge had to be cut off.
Then off to the design board to see what it is looking like!

It is looking fine, and I'm sure the whole view will change when I add the borders in the fabric of the darker paisley fabric. At this point, my blue looks a little bit bright.. I'm hoping it will tone down when I get the border on, but I wish I had chosen a dark blue for the small 9 patch though. I thought it needed more color. Ha. Probably not. It is So hard to pick the fabric knowing how the pieces will be used and get a good idea of how it will look. Guess the mock ups would have told me that, but I didn't do one.

I really like my design board. It is so much easier to get a good view of what is going on. I used to use the floor, but one can only get so far from it to see.. and it isn't very comfy to get up and down.

I made this with a big piece of foam board from Home Depot. (In the lumber dept.) Stapled some white flannel on it, and my dh stapled it to the wall! No one will notice the tiny holes later. (He has a large stapler). Simple, and Oh, So Worth it.

Another Amazon box came today!

I decided I wanted another pin cushion for the ironing board. Now, I have 1 for the sewing machine table, and one for the ironing board.

The SideWinder is for winding all those new bobbins I got.  I didn't want to be unthreading my needle back and forth.

The BobbinSaver is to store the bobbins without them unraveling.

And, that "Command" package is for attaching my cords to the table and wall. I have to unplug my sewing machine, raise the drop table, remove the front storage case, and then open the bobbin case to replace a bobbin and then put it all back together. Often, I can't seem to find my ends of the cords to plug them back in.(both the electric cord and the foot pedal cord). So these will hopefully keep the cords where they need to be.
And Finally:

My Supreme Slider for the free motion quilting. This should help move the fabric across my sewing machine. I'm looking forward to getting to this stage!

I haven't looked too closely, but I think the next class starts with some drafting stuff. It's a good time to get my machine in for some servicing. I'm sorry to say, it's never seen a service man before. I've had it for about 8 or 9 years?  Granted, I haven't used it much over the last 7, but it's seen lots of use this year. I thought that since it is a non lubricated machine (except for the bobbin case which I have oiled) I didn't need to worry about it.

However, I went into the local sewing machine store yesterday to look at some lighting and ask about how come my needle is too far to the left so that it comes too close to my presser foot edge and how can I adjust it. She informed me that every 2 years a machine should come in for servicing and the serviceman may be able to adjust that needle. So, I won't be sewing next week while it gets a tune up.

How often do you get your machine serviced?

Double Chain Block A finished

Block A finished, 12 times

Somehow, when putting row 3 together, my second 9 patch got turned at the table, and after the first one, all the others were sewn sideways so that the chain didn't meet... So, I had to rip 11 of them back off and do them over. I think since I had them on my left, as the first piece went through, it slid along the pile and turned them!

Most of them are just like this.  All the corners are nested nicely, except one corner. I'm not sure what happened. I even ripped some seams after joining the row to see if I could nest them better, but it came out the same the second time. I did not have this problem with the smaller 9 patches. It is only when I joined the rows together.

I measured after each seam was sewn. All was fine.

I pressed toward the middle row as per the instructions, which makes for some bulky seams.
 
This block had a lot of steps. It is fairly boring looking, but more work than it looks and very time consuming.
It looked a little better when I put them all up on the design board:

Not so boring anymore!
Now, on to Block B.

But first......
I went shopping again!
I had to get some more storage bins for the fabric I won on Ebay! I got one more large and one more medium just like in the pictures previously.

A quilt store owner/quilter is selling off her "scrap" stash. Her scraps are not what I would call scraps.  Yes, there were some smaller squares, but there were nice strips of  2,3,5" or so from the end of the yardage cut, (very nice scraps). There were also lots of pieces that looked almost a fat quarter, or more!  So much variety! 6 1/2 pounds worth = approx 18 yards!  I spent last night sorting it and putting it away. It was like being a kid in a candy store.

I also won from the same lady 140 fat 1/8ths. No duplicates. All quilt store quality.  I was the only bidder which means I paid the starting bid which works out to a total of  35 cents each!

I'd say I'm on my way to collecting a nice stash!

And, Amazon delivered by USPS today!

I'm going to enjoy having a magnetic pin cushion. When I drop my pins on the wood floor they disappear!  I thought it would be easier to find them on a wood floor, but they roll away far from where I dropped them.

I bought nice Patchwork Thin pins to use because my pins are too thick and distort my fabric. The pins that came with the cushion, as well as my current pins are being donated to my dh. He uses them to clean out spray tips, etc..

The "Purple Sticky Thingies", (Thank you Sandra) are actually Qtools Sewing Edge and are for a nice clean sewing edge, without leaving a sticky residue on my plastic machine.

And, in anticipation of my finally getting toward the quilting/binding stage, I got these Clover Wonder Clips. Quilter's say they love these things to hold the binding on, much better than pins. So, I'm going to try them!

Oh, I love getting mail :)

Class 160: Harriet's Double Nine Patch Chain Project Quilt

Here is Harriet's Example Quilt

There are two different 9 patch blocks in this quilt. Only 3 fabrics.  Projects are getting more complicated and a little more time consuming, so I'll be breaking up the project into chunks for the blog. Otherwise, posts will be farther between, and too long!

Here is my fabric choice:

The paisly dark fabric will be the border and the large 9 patch block squares (Block B).
The greenish yellow is my background "tan" replacement.
The tonal blue is the small 9 patch chain blocks (Block A)

 

Making Block A

1. Make 2 different strips and cut 1 1/2" and assemble the middle block
2. Make 2 different strip sets to assemble modified 9 patch

Here are the 3 different assembled 9 patch blocks.
Next step was step 9: "Now add the solid squares to the Chain blocks".  Well... interesting that we don't get any info about those. Usually we get specific instructions :)
Of course, I can see that there are 4 in the example Block A.
And, I count 12 blocks in the quilt, thus I need 48.
Ok. What size? Hmm.. My other blocks measure out to 3 1/2, so I must need them to be that same size...
How many strips is that? 48x3.5=168"/42" length =4 strips.

So, 48 squares are done!

How about I lay them out now in piles as shown in the example:

Each stack has 12, since I'm constructing 12 blocks A's.
And, now I'm ready to sew together my Block A's!

I think they were just trying to trick me into doing some of the calculating myself, getting me ready?

Next step is to sew Block A's
and then...
Stay tuned for Block B

I've Been Shopping

There has been a list of items on my want list in order for me to move forward. I've been busy selling extra stuff around the house on Craigslist, and it is all being reallocated to the quilting fund.

Package 1 arrived today:  This is my new thread.  I ordered from Harriet's Treadle Arts. 2 Nylon cones for practicing my quilting along with a few thread sleeves, and 1 Presencia 60/3 in light pewter.  I was thinking the pewter would have been lighter, but it's good anyway. I'm curious to find out if my seam measurements stay the same... 

Package 2: I ordered these from JoAnn online. Since they are made by JoAnn, I would have thought they would carry them in the store, but apparently they are available online only. These gloves are recommended to help hold onto the quilt as I quilt the layers. At least I had a free shipping coupon. I would have rather used the 50% off coupon at the store :)

Ebay Purchase:  Bobbins (and single hole throat plate) purchased for my Pfaff machine. I've been using Signature pre-wound bobbins that match my thread cone. They work great because they last much longer, and I've not needed bobbins or to wind my own.  Now, with the new thread, I'll be winding my own.

WalMart Errand:  These I purchased at the store for storage of fabric. They fit nicely under my cutting table and in the closet. The wheels on the wood floor make them especially easy to access. I attempted to re-purpose 2 of these that currently have loads of LEGO's, but there just doesn't seem to be a better way to store all those little pieces. So, I got new containers.

And, I've been working on the next project. It's the Double Nine-Patch. Just a teaser :

I've finished the 12 small 9 patch blocks. The 4 stacks on left equal 100 pieced units cut and the 2 stacks on the right side are 50 all cut 1 1/2" and ready to sew together.

I have more fun items shipping from Amazon. Stay tuned :)

Precision!

I Found My Line

Ok, I'm back to piecing again :)

I must have spent HOURS attempting to get my 1/4" seam to work out.  After I replaced my throat plate with a single hole vs. the zig zag plate I had to move my needle back to the 0 position. This threw off my entire system because I had learned to get my precision by adjusting the needle.

I attempted to just move the tape over because my seam was off 1/8" from seam to edge and a full 1/4" from edge to edge of 2 strips sewn together.
I never could find the right place, and I tried and seam ripped that strip at least 4 times ( It was a full strip I used from both ends). =8 times?

After some room cleaning therapy and a good night's sleep I renewed my enthusiasm for getting this correct and went back to my machine this afternoon.

1. I got out my graph paper and ran the line until I got it exactly where I wanted it.
2. I found some masking tape and razor blade in the garage and cut a chunk out of the roll 1/4"w x 4"Lx 1/4" thick and stuck in right next to the graph paper edge. Then I put my red tape on top for visual help.
3. Ran my test strip through, pressed and measured. I was still just a fraction off.
4. Moved my tape over just a smidge.
5. Ripped seam again and reran through the machine, pressed and measured.
6. Still not right. Measured my strips and I swear my ruler is not the same if measuring vertically and horizontally!! I recut new strips. Repeat again. 
7. Got it!

I am SO pleased with the results.  I've never had the inside square AND all edges measure with absolute precision all around! Well, I had them good, but it wasn't this easy.
And, it wasn't just this one... All 12 of my little 9 patches are just right :)

I guess it was worth it. I just didn't like the process of getting there.
I must say though, I am really happy with the tape strip running in front of the needle.  I didn't have one before because I used the edge of my 1/4" presser foot. I had to really concentrate on watching it go under the foot.  Tape makes it so much easier because I just have to watch my fabric running along the tape and I'm not even really looking at the needle anymore.
Is that the way it should be?
Anyway, crisis is over. I'm back to sewing. Just in time to go back to work tomorrow morning :)

I Messed Everything Up

I received my new single hole throat plate on Thursday, and being so excited about my new item I promptly installed it. 

I had to move my needle back over to 0.

Since I had just finished cutting my fabric for the next project, I was ready to start sewing...
For some reason, I figured I could just move my guide line over that 1/8th inch and be on my way.
I sewed 2 entire strips, ironed and starched and then measured.  OOPs.
Error #1. I should have done a test piece. Duh, you say?  Yeah, me too.

So, I got out a couple test strips and started on my quest to find my new guide line. 
I CAN'T FIND IT.  No matter what I do, I can't seem to figure out where to get my 1/4" seam to measure out properly. 
After running about 4 strips through with various adjustments along the way, I'm not any closer.
1. I'm finding that my quilter's 1/4" presser foot isn't really a good guide, and I have to be on the inside of the foot.
2. I can get one side to measure fairly accurately, but the side that is being ironed over is shorter.
Does that mean that my thread is indeed too thick? 
3. I've ordered the 60/3 Presencia Thread that Quilter's Academy talks about, and maybe that will solve my issues, but it won't arrive for DAYS yet  :( And, how come that wasn't a problem before?

I feel like I had finally gotten fairly reliable accuracy and now I will be starting all over.

Error #2, Don't fix what ain't broke.. At least that's what I've been told.  Why did I feel I needed to take this next step?

So, what does one do when not able to continue?

I'm cleaning out the closet of my quilting room, and making room for MY stuff, of course.
Sleeping bags, photo boxes, photo albums and scrap books, guitar and amp, and other misc. things. It's all cleared out and now... I have room to start storing a fabric stash!  

I'm reading intently the Machine Quilting book. Maybe I'll get far enough that I will venture into doing some practice swatches. 

And, I've decided I'm going to start saving all those little pieces of scraps in bins.  I have a notion in my head that I can use them for applique, and scrap quilts some day. After I get a good handle on what I'm doing and I feel like I know more about how to piece, I can venture into something scrappy.   Scrappy has always appealed to me because it doesn't seem to be so color coordinated, which I am definitely challenged with, and it fits with the re-purposing way of life I find myself  usually following.

Anyway, I'll be here reading about all those others who are actually quilting until I can get over my hump in the road.