I've had some good success lately piecing cq blocks from the centre out, so I thought I would document the steps that I took.
This little chicken scratch heart motif will be the centre. Chicken scratch was the first technique of SharonB's new "Stitch Explorer 2009". Check out other people's examples on Flickr's stitchexplorer group.
The colours I am using are purples and turquoises.
I placed the centre piece in the middle of my backing at a slight angle. I will trim the gingham a little later when I decide how much of it will show. |
The fifth piece trimmed, following the line of the centre block. As you work around the centre piece, the seam line gets longer. Up until now the new piece of fabric covered two pieces of fabric. This new piece will have to cover three: the dark turquoise, the gingham and the purple. The alternative to using one long piece of fabric, is to join two pieces together. |
Trying out two fabrics that will be joined for the next strip. |
For me, the easiest way is to fold one of the pieces of fabric over, pin it to the second piece so that the join is at an angle, and then top stitch with large stitches so that they can be taken out later. Here, the two pieces of fabric have been joined and are now being tested for placement. |
Sewn and pressed. It's a bit difficult to see the shape of the block here, but looking at it critically, the right hand lilac piece is too big, and the left hand joined piece also is too big. |
The top edge has a bit of the backing showing. It needs another strip. The two triangles, maroon and turquoise (bottom left) also need something added. |
2 comments:
Thank you for this great tutorial! I only made 1 crazy block so far and used the same method, but no sewing machine. But I never thought of doing the chicken scratch before piecing the block!
And thank you for your comments on my trellis stitches. It's not difficult when you get closer to the top. The stitches 'tell' you how to end it! I didn't find the teacups yet :-(
thank you, I am new to crazyness and just found this tutorial on SF, will have to look at the tutorials section more often.
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