Well I've been so slack with my blogging lately and I just don't know why. But I do know that I've been crafting and stash busting like mad. I'm knitting a fluffy rabbit and a pom-pom scarf and finally took the plunge and started making a dress for Lucy. But more on that another day.
With the beautiful fabric that I bought from Ada over at Vintage Sheet Addict, I finally decided to begin the hexagon cushion cover that I've been dreaming/talking about for ages. Now I've never done paper piece work before and I was so very nervous starting. My hands were shaking as I began to cut into the beautiful material. I cut about 40 hexies in total, about 5 in each colour. I was going to do a hexie flower pattern but Lucy begged me to sew it in a "mish mash pattern".
I must say that as I sat down to start sewing the hexies together, I was in heaven! It was so long since I did some hand sewing and I had forgotten how much I really loved it. It is so relaxing sitting there with just a small needle and some thread, making the tiniest of stitches I possibly could.
But as more hexies were joined on to the cushion cover, I realised that it did not look right at all. The pieces are not sitting flat and the pattern (or non-pattern) is just not working. I am so disappointed and feel like pulling my, already scarce, hair out over it. Can I even take a stitch ripper to it without even destroying the material?? I've watched You Tube tutorials and read lots about paper piecing and they always make it look so easy. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong here. Any hints??
Anyway, onto the Special Baby Unit knitting that I mentioned last time. I found a great page that has all the patterns needed. Knitting Pattern Central has some fantastic patterns for free and I'm going to be testing lots out. I hope that if anybody has a bit of spare time and a little spare wool in their stash, that maybe you might help me with this. It does not matter if it's a cardi, a hat or even just a tiny pair of mittens,I would be ever so grateful, as I'm sure the Unit and babies would be too.
That's the end of my babble for tonight. I'm hoping to pick up on my posting again soon. I aim to hit the 100 post mark before my blogs 1st birthday in May.
Rosie xx
I haven't done any paper piecing ... of this kind I mean ... but my sister has. Did you use freezer paper or regular paper? I don't know if that would make a difference or not. I wonder if all those angled cuts have produced a little bias-type skew in some of the pieces?
ReplyDeleteHonestly it looks good to me, except for that one pink patch at the bottom of the photo, which looks a tiny bit uneven. Maybe a good pressing will even things up. And if you are going to hand-quilt it, that will cover a multitude of piecing sins. :)
I felt the same with mine to start with but I'm ok now.....although wether it will ever get finished I'm not sure! What I wish I had done was complete a hexie 'flower' then put white hexies around it, to give it definition!
ReplyDeleteHave you seen Mia's Landliv blog? There's a link on my sidebar- she felt the same, finished hers and its BEAUTIFUL! Have a look, you'll feel inspired. I'm not sure what you mean about laying flat as mine looks ok....keep with it, don't leave it to sit there like my poor thing!!! :) x
You might find it goes flat when you've ironed it, I've ironed mine and it looked neater! :) x
ReplyDeleteI know little of this, though it's something I've been wanting to try. Yours looks brilliant though! Finish it so we can all be jealous ;) x
ReplyDeleteI made one years ago, I keep thinking/planning/promising myself to start one but haven't got round to it. I suppose the most important thing is to make sure all your hexies are exactly the same, otherwise I'm no help I'm afraid. I do know that awful feeling when you've put so much work into something only to think it's gone horribly wrong. Try giving it a press as' been suggested - good luck and keep us informed :) xx
ReplyDeleteOh I'm sorry to hear that you're having trouble with it. I love hexagon quilts, but am too scared to try making one. I stick to squares. I hope you can get it sorted! xo
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