12 things I learned while doing this mystery quilt.
#1
When cutting, place the two fabrics together that will be sewn together. Then cut. Now the pieces are paired and ready to be zipped through the sewing machine. Makes chain piecing sooo much easier and quicker.
How to use my strange looking ruler, the Easy Angle Ruler.
and the Companion Angle
and how to switch and turn and flip. NO waste - love it.
#3
What chain piecing Really is! Zipping through hundreds of HST one right after another without stopping. (It's actually quite fun!)
#4
The background of a fabric is often how the fabric will "read". Such as flowers on a cream will read cream or frogs on dark blue will read as dark blue.
This floral reads lavender.
#5
To take a picture in black and white it to see the contrast.
#6
To read, re-read and mark the instructions with a high lighter if necessary. I did this in college, never for a quilt. However, it was good to realize that is the way to go. You never know what a designer is really saying unless you dissect it.
#7
That I really do like to sew and even better - Bruce appreciates my passion for quilting and is willing to do whatever it takes for me to continue it. (Dishes, cooking even those bathrooms.) Wow! I really lucked out!
#8
How to spin seams. (Hey - I didn't even know this was a thing until Bonnie taught me!)
#9
I learned to think about HST differently. Before I would just do a block - like a star block. Then do a bunch of different star blocks to make a quilt. And this time I realized that if I had a bunch of hst made up I would create my own design by adding other elements, like a four patch or flying geese.
I learned to think about HST differently. Before I would just do a block - like a star block. Then do a bunch of different star blocks to make a quilt. And this time I realized that if I had a bunch of hst made up I would create my own design by adding other elements, like a four patch or flying geese.
#10
That I may never master that scant 1/4 inch. UGH!!! hahaha
#11
That I have an unbelievable amount of patience to rip, sew, re-rip, re-sew the same seam over and over and over again until those points match up!
#12
And mostly importantly - scrap busting quilts lead to more fabric not less!
So then my question when I first started was, would I like doing a Bonnie Hunter AKA "Thousands of Pieces Quilt"? The answer is yes. It was a challenge and it was hard but it was worth doing.
Happy Stitching,
Linda
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lots of things to think about, try, and do in making a quilt and we are always learning something-even if it might be--I won't make this block again--or I really like this block think I will do a whole quilt of this one--
ReplyDeleteand---I just love love your heading--that kitty makes me chuckle everytime I see it--thanks-
luv, di
Oh you did learn a lot making Frolic and it looks lovely...
ReplyDeleteI learnt that I'll not do another Bonnie Hunter Mystery. Took two to realise...
You did learn a plethora of new things in the making of your beautiful quilt. What you have created is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your newly earned wisdom. It's a beautiful quilt and yes, you are darn lucky with a hubby that supports you so much!! I have to try that spinning the seams because you're the second blog this week that mentioned it. I just made a star block for kat's monthly July/August block drive for Covered in Love. https://katandcatquilts.blogspot.com/2020/05/may-june-cil-split-9-patch-round-2.html
ReplyDeleteI"m starting early. The star block I chose mentioned the spinning seams but I was too lazy. I'll have to try it next time though.
Your Frolic quilt turned out beautifully! I think the things I've learned from doing a couple of Bonnie's quilts are about using a variety of neutrals, and most important - I learned to cut more accurately.
ReplyDeleteLots of interesting advice there Linda - thank you. I have one of those Easy angle triangles somewhere - tucked away cos I dont know how to use it lol. xx
ReplyDeleteThis was a lovely read! It was fun to read about what you learned. I should try that some time.
ReplyDeleteLots of gOOd tips in that list.
ReplyDeleteMy scrap bucket NeVeR seems to get low...
why is that? lol
Hello my sweet friend!!! I was looking through comments on another blog and saw your comment and thought "oh my goodness, I haven't seen an announcement on my emails that you had done a blog post for a long time! So I came over and there you were!! I'm so sad that I haven't been notified of your posts: I consider you a friend and was sad to have lost contact with you, but yay! I'm back! I'll have to go and see what you've been up to. :-) Love your Frolic quilt: that is ALOT of work: You did great! Have a wonderful week!! Hugs, Helen
ReplyDelete