Last weekend, I finally got around to picking my fabric and pattern for the Doll Quilt Swap. I’ve been wanting to do a paper-pieced project for a while, so I could put to use the mini iron my folks bought me at Christmas and also to try out the paper made specifically for paper piecing.
I chose a geometric pattern from Carol Doak’s Easy Paper-Pieced Keepsake Quilts book. I picked four coordinating fat quarters that I purchased from Connecting Threads a couple of months ago. I decided on the stars fabric pictured below. I love the fabric I purchased from there, the quality is great and it washed up very nicely. Needs a higher than normal iron setting, but that’s not a big deal. I purchased a bunch of threads from them too that I can’t wait to use in upcoming projects.
The next picture shows the progress I’ve made and my set-up next to the sewing machine, which is to the right of the photo. It’s very comfortable and I can easily roll from one side of the table to the other. The mini iron is fabulous to work with. Thanks Mom and Dad for the great gift. I use the 1/4″ masking-like tape to hold the pieces to the paper while sewing instead of pins as I find pins distort too much. I’m loving the special paper too, it’s very easy to sew and ironing doesn’t make it wobbly (you’ll know what I mean if you’ve ever used every-day paper).
So far, I have 9 of the 12, 4″ blocks completed. I’ll probably do a 1″ sashing between each block and finish off with a 2″ border.
I’m hoping to wrap the project up this weekend, but we’ll see how nice or not the weather is.
I love that block you chose! And your fabric is so pretty. I can’t wait to see it all put together!
oh what fun!!
cant wait to see it all together
i love that block
I love your choice of fab’s! I paperpiece alot and love it! It is addictive!
Wonderful pictures, Michele – it’s going to be lovely. I’m working on a ninepatch with 3″ blocks right now.
Janet
La combinación decolores es realmente bonita. Me encanta como esta quedando.
Nice colors and the block is a perfect match for them. I have to ask, how is the mini iron working? I purchased one of those that look like the old fashioned toy irons I had as a child & it didn’t even heat up at all. I have been thinking about purchasing one like yours.
Keep up the quilt photos they are amazing!
Hi Jean,
I love my mini iron, it made paper piecing so much more enjoyable .. no over pressed areas, I could control exactly what I wanted to be ironed (from tip to tip), very crisp seams, the paper didn’t get wobbly. It does get super hot, so I don’t use it on full high.
Michele