Why I don't like sewing points; 2 photos.

15 years ago

A couple winters ago I took a Mariner's Star class at a local quilt shop. The class was a lot of fun and I almost completed my block. I was slow and had to finish it at home.

This was a paper piecing class and I still managed to miss the points! I don't remember the exact size, but the block is larger than 18".

And a close up of the center...

Needless to say, I'm not making an entire quilt of this pattern; I bought only enough fabric for the one-block clsass. I have a friend that loves this block; she wants me to make it into a throw pillow cover. I will, once the sewing room is useable, and gladly give it to her!

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Comments (15)

imrainey
15 years ago
Looks great to me! Very vibrant colors!

I think the thing is you need to focus on photo #1 like everyone else will. If it hadn't been for photo #2 I wouldn't even have been able to figure out what you were talking about. No kidding!
lola99
15 years ago
I love paper piecing because the points are so exact and crisp, but I agree - joining the units is hard! I've done the exact same thing way too many times to count...

Lola
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gerizone5
15 years ago
I also have trouble with points, but I agree in looking at the first photo you would never know.
kathi_mdgd
15 years ago
I agree with the others,if i hadn't seen the 2nd photo,i wouldn't have known what you were talking about either.I think it's beautiful!! Remember WE are our own Worst critic!!!!!

I remember when i did a kaleidscope quilt,i sweated and prayed over every block in it.It was a display for the quilt store i worked at.It came out wonderful.
Kathi
toolgranny
15 years ago
Wonderful job. It's just beautiful. I haven't tried that one yet.
imrainey
15 years ago
Personally, I think you provided a great service because I suspect I'm not the only one who needs to think about aiming for precision BUT overlooking the imprecise. Seeing how hard it was to identify your imprecision is an important object lesson for me. I suspect it will make it easier for me to overlook my errors or, at the very least, look at them from 6' away and putting them into perspective. ;>

Meanwhile, I forgot to say how well you accomplished the 3D effect with your shading.
nanajayne
15 years ago
I made the Mariner's star with PP, also turned it into a pillow. Had to do it like every other hill that has to be climbed, but I am resisting the temptation to go out and check to see how perfect the points are!! I am sure they aren't. Everyone loves it and it is the over all impression that is important.
I think yours is great, the colors are nice and if anyone looks that close they are off my list. Don't give up on points, mark it up as experience and enjoy.
Jayne
nanajayne
15 years ago
I made the Mariner's star with PP, also turned it into a pillow. Had to do it like every other hill that has to be climbed, but I am resisting the temptation to go out and check to see how perfect the points are!! I am sure they aren't. Everyone loves it and it is the over all impression that is important.
I think yours is great, the colors are nice and if anyone looks that close they are off my list. Don't give up on points, mark it up as experience and enjoy.
Jayne
barbara_in_pa
15 years ago
Sometimes we are too darn hard on ourselves... we need to relax and enjoy the process of learning. We tend to be our own worse critic.
Do you have a quilt police hanging over your shoulder?? Better get rid of him, so you can relax and enjoy what you are making as well as the learning process!
Your work is really nice in my opinion and I love your color selection.
Barbara
vicky4x4
15 years ago
I think you did wonderful! Points are hard, I would be happy with the results you got.

Vicky
bonica
15 years ago
That is a beautiful block Caroline!! Maybe you're just too hard on yourself. That "miss" in the middle? HA! That looks like every quilt I've ever made. I gave up on "perfect" many moons ago.
Bon
:)
nana24
15 years ago
Caroline, I think your star is beautiful.
I have had things I definitely only want to make one of but I was glad I did one.
Your friend is really going to enjoy her pillow!

TFS
Sally
marcia_m
15 years ago
I think it's beautiful, Caroline. I love the 3D effects from the colors/values you chose. I bought materials to make a small Mariner's compass in hot colors for a guild challenge (sew something "hot" using a sample piece of "Warm and Safe" batting). It's due in June so I haven't started yet but it will be my first experience with paper piecing.
Marcia
budster
15 years ago
Well I for one had to look and look and look to see what the heavens was wrong. It is sooooooo tiny.....my goodness I think you did wonderful. Your square just shines...lovely colors and the arrangement. Give yourself a pat on the back....my points rarely meet.....but that's me. You did wonderful
caroline94535
Original Author
15 years ago
I thank each of you for all the lovely comments, but that lower left center section drives me beserk. I can "see" the misalignment from 12 feet away.

Since the paper is still firmly attached to the back of the block, and as my next "project," I'm going to pick the stitches out of that section and see if I can realign it and set it in properly. Of course, I stitched the pieces together with about 247 stitches to the inch.

If the fix works I'll post a photo. If it doesn't...I'll have a colourful dust cloth. (Not really; it will become a throw pillow cover no matter what.)

So, I'm officially a member of this group. I have a "project" for the month of April; let's see if I get it finished. Of course, I didn't specify which April. LOL

Why I don't like sewing points; 2 photos.

Comments (15)

imrainey

lola99

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caroline94535
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Why I don't like sewing points; 2 photos.

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