2/11/23

Paper-Piecing Purgatory

Good morning, my friends! It's looking like a nice day ahead. I'm going to get out for a walk a little later this morning. The only other thing on my agenda is to start sewing the "maps" quilt together. All the blocks are finished now.

After whining about paper-piecing for the past couple of weeks, it seems as if that's all I've been doing. Two of the five blocks for the maps quilt have been paper-pieced. Monday the next little house will come out, and that will be paper-pieced as well. Prior to that, I was paper-piecing 16 blocks for the Pieces of the Past quilt. Those are finished, thankfully.

When we left off yesterday, I was getting ready to piece together another block. This one was just 16 half square triangles, and so it seemed easy. I like this block so much that I can't resist showing it. I'm breaking the rules just a little bit, so don't tell anyone, okay? This block is called the "Virginia Reel," and that's a hint.


Smitty helped me with that. Smitty has to keep his cell phone with him at all times. When you're the sexiest cat alive, you never know when you'll be called upon for another meowgazine cover photo shoot. 


Okay, and so I was ready for the final block. This one was paper-pieced using these fabrics.


Sadie was my helper cat for this one.


Sorry...no more cheating. Here's your peek.


And that was all the sewing I had time for. Paper-pieced blocks can be time-consuming. 

There was some time for slow-stitching in the morning, though. We stitched the next two inchies. The one on the left is a wrapped backstitch. On the right, a backstitched border with a fly stitch running from corner to corner.


So the first two rows of inchies are stitched now. I'm still waiting for some of the scarier stitches. The ones up to now have been pretty easy and familiar.

Today I'll get back to sewing together the maps quilt. I have only a vague notion about how to put it together. Last night, I was thinking I might give it an improv look. I haven't done much improv, so it sounds a little daunting. Sometimes I just have to start sewing and see what comes of it. Right now, it's time for some breakfast. The new inchy should be posted soon.

6 comments:

Barbara said...

If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun. ~ Katharine Hepburn

piecefulwendy said...

You are such a tease! You'll have yours done once again before I even have an idea formed!

kc said...

Totally agree with Barbara and Katherine. ; Never been one to follow rules if they don't suit my agenda!

Kate said...

It's funny how you can go years without using a give technique and then all of a sudden it's the only kind of project you are working on. Your Maps quilt is going to be fun, looking forward to seeing the reveal.

Karen said...

Have to get out my Meg bible to do the wrapped backstitch. Not done that stitch in this life. This year is fun. Every time this starts up I get to itching for crazy quilting stitches. But back to finishing Valentine quilty stuff.
I've always admired your projects and the volume in what you accomplish. I'm about 1/3 your speed. Maybe.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I wonder if your Maps quilt involves blocks named for the states you visited last summer...hmmmm....
And yes, you're definitely a glutton for paper piecing punishment!