|
|
|
|
|
Filtered by tag ('fussycutting')
The story so far...
Local quilter Cinzia White publishes an amazing book, The Storytellers Sampler Quilt.
Eppiflex templates launches a Block of The Month called Telling Tales, featuring 60 upsized blocks from the book and I start sewing up blocks.
Cinzia asks me to contribute to her quiltalong using blocks from the aforementioned book.
I fall down the rabbithole of fussycutting.
But let's talk about what this is really about...
Addicted to sewing...addicted to fabric...addicted to starting new projects... and now addicted to fussycutting.
So what's the hype about fussycutting?
If you are already a creative soul and enjoying making pretty blocks by joining shapes together, fussy cutting is some next level crafty action.
Do you remember those kaliedoscope toys we had as kids. I have no idea how they worked, they were just MAGIC. Who could get bored with the amazing patterns they made as you twisted and turned them. I was fascinated with them.
"No you cant have a go yet, Im not finished" - I wasnt a good sharer being the youngest and most spoilt of my siblings. Ask my sister, she will back me up.
So fussycutting a beautiful fabric into an even more beautiful fabric block is a bit like making magic for me.
Mirrors? Yeah nah.
I know some people swear by them, but I don't want to know what it's going to look like. Why spoil the magic? That's like someone showing you a picture of the next kaliedoscope before you can twist the tube. Just let the magic happen. Embrace the unknown a little.
Waste of fabric?
This is what Cinzia says to me... but let's be honest we all have enough fabric to be a bit less frugal with it.
I think quilters are the quintessential horders. Why else would we have so many memes about collecting fabric. Even the term stash says it all.
In fact in the current economic climate of a massive downturn in retail spending I think we all have a responsibilty to fussy cut more and support the shops before they disappear altogether.
So my little contribution to Cinzia's Quiltalong is "Blackberry Freedom" and it is English paper pieced.
Thanks Cinzia for asking me to join in and for writing such a sensational book.
Take the FUSS out of Fussy Cutting
One of the things I love about the clear Eppiflex templates is that they make fussy cutting your printed fabrics so easy. You dont need a separate perspex template to cut the fabric - you can use the template you sew with to make a "mask" of the fabric repeat you want.
This is something that we demonstrate at Quilt Shows, but I thought it was about time we got it on to the website so everyone can see how I do it.
I'm using one of the blocks from the gorgeous New Hexagon Quilt by Katja Marek. Im really enjoying making her design - the small blocks are just right for a busy person and most can be sewn up in just one session. In this block three rhombus meet in the centre of the hexagon. I want to put one flower right in the middle. I will need three of the same flowers to make this block. ie three repeats.
You'll need the following basic supplies to give this technique a go.
- a fabric with repeating pattern that you can fussy cut
- a Sewline Stayer pen ( or any thin nibbed black marker that doesnt smudge - you dont want black ink on your fabric)
- a water erasable marker ( I use the generic blue markers that come out when spritzed with water)
- your Eppiflex EPP templates
- Scotch tape or masking tape ( sticky tape can be a bit painful to remove later)
Firstly position your templates edge to edge in the pattern they will be sewn together. Flip them face down on a mat, keeping the edges together. In most instances face down will be the same as face up - but in my example here it isnt. Place a small amount of tape across the edges to hold them temporarily together on the back of the templates.
When they are taped, turn the taped piece face up so that you can start to trace the fabric pattern
Place the taped piece on your fabric, over the particular design that you want to fussy cut. In this case - I want to put the green lotus flower in the centre of my 3 rhombi.
When you are happy with the design thats showing through your "window" begin tracing with your pen, making sure you avoid the cut out circles in the centre of the Eppiflex. Youll need to trace quite a few lines of your fabric so that your mask is accurate and easy for you to use later.
When you are satisfied that you have traced enough of the fabric pattern to find it again later with your template - separate your templates by removing the tape from the back. ( Now you can see why you need to tape the back and not the front. If you had taped the front all of your pen would come off with the tape)
Now you need to find three of the same flower ( repeat) on the fabric.
Each one will be traced around with your new "masks" that you have made with your templates.
Use the blue erasable pen to trace around the template as it will just wash off later.
See how the black pen marks line up with the fabric design? Draw around all the sides of the templates.
Once you have done this, cut your fabrics out, adding a seam allowance ( DO NOT CUT ON THE DRAWN LINES)
Now you can attach the fabric to the templates using your preferred method. At this stage do not iron the fabrics or you will set the blue pen. The blue pen mark should sit exactly on the edge of your shape which will give you a perfect relica every time.
Have a go at fussy cutting some shapes - youll never look at your fabrc the same way again!
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg)
