Well folks, I have only one thing to say: NO ONE could possibly make that kit per their instructions. I did a test run and even with the freezer paper fused to the back of the black fabric, and only cutting out one area at a time, by the time I had three pieces reverse appliqued, it was a stretched-out mess! The bias pieces being inset got all squalled, the thin black bands got distorted, it looked terrible. So I stepped back, thought a minute and decided, "I can applique on the top, but there's no way in heaven this is going to work."
So I peeled the freezer paper off the back and junked it. I cut another black fabric rectangle, used my dressmaker's carbon paper to mark out the design on the wrong side, and started cutting up the freezer paper for templates. I've finished sewing three segments on already and it will be a breeze. It's big, but I imagine that if you added all the projects completed since the first of the year I have already appliqued an equal area.
Having the black fabric on the top and the colors inset into cutouts would have been neater, but -- ain't no way!
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4 comments:
I'd be tempted to do that pattern using back-basting as the technique. It will be gorgeous when it's done, so worth persevering but it really is the pits when patterns aren't well written!
Will you be cutting away the extra layer of black fabric behind the applique fabric? That might re-establish the "stained glass" effect? Just a thought...
You know, sometimes I think people design these things on the computer and then write a pattern without truly testing things out. Inset seams and bias out the ying-yang and other truly horrible piecing decisions in the assembly?? Egads it is enough to make you run screaming from the room and head to a never to be completed UFO.
It is a darned good thing that some of us have learned proper sewing, drafting etc methods along the way--like your home ec experiences--to know what they are telling you is not the better way of doing things.
Good save of the situation. I look forward to seeing the pictures.
I love stained glass quilts! This one does look beautiful, but challenging. Hope you get it done the way you like and show it off for us!
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