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Thread: Clairvoyance!

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  1. #1
    Jean Sewing Machine's Avatar Jean Sewing Machine is offline Senior Member
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    Default Clairvoyance!

    Yes, Sandy, I did spell that word correctly, copied it directly from Wikipedia!

    As I was anticipating reading today's Daily Deal, I found my self whispering, "Let it be Summersville, let it be Summersville!" Am I clairvoyant or what? It IS Summersville! The only problem is, I wanted a Summersville jelly roll, and it is a layer cake, which I already have. So I bought some yardage for borders for a quilt I am making from Summersville.

    Somehow I was taken by this cute fabric, which looks like a kid scribbled on paper with all his primary colors, but he especially liked black, because there are more black squares than any other color. I was trying to think of what to do with this cute fabric, because it needed a pop of color, since all of the prints have the same value. I also wanted something to try out my new Curvemaster curve sewing foot and my two new Drunkard's Path templates. So, I found some Kona solids in the same colors as the "scribbles" on the cloth, and am in the process of making lots of Drunkard's Path blocks.

    The tutorials online for the templates say that you can get 4 7-1/2" squares and one or two 3-1/2" squares from a fat quarter. Since I have layer cakes, I can only get one 7-1/2" square from each piece, but by pairing it with the solid, I think I'll have plenty. I'm saving some of the colored scribble squares to make some of the smaller blocks. I think that template is designed for charm squares, hope so, so that I can get 4 out of one layer cake square.

    So far, I've had mixed success with the sewing the Drunkard's path blocks. I found that some came out perfect, and others, well, let's just say, rip it, rip it, rip it! I think I found the problem and a way to solve it. With one block, I ripped 5 times. I realized that if you stretched the piece that looks like an L--you ended up not having enough length in the "pie" shapped piece to have it come out even. It is very easy to stretch that L shaped piece. So, I sprayed the troublesome piece with spray starch and it came out perfect, the 6th time I sewed it! I was determined to make them come out right. I have done about 16 blocks, and some came out great, some are tolerable, and some need ripping and redoing. You have to go slowly with the machine to match as it goes through the sewing area. That is why this foot is good, because you can see about 1/4" in front of the needle, and can align up closely. It was sort of addicting, I wanted to do more, but had other pressing things on the top of my quilting list.

    The templates came with two possible patterns, and I think this will be like the half square triangles that I love making, you could do a bunch of different patterns using the Drunkard's Path block. But, I guess I know why they called it that, because when you are finished sewing, ripping and resewing, you certainly do want a stiff drink! But it is fun, and a challenge, and you all know me, I love a challenge.

    Here's a poem my father taught me--I think it has been my mantra for life:

    It couldn't be Done--by Robert Guest

    Somebody told him it couldn't be done
    But he with a chuckle replied,
    That maybe it couldn't, but he would be one
    That wouldn't say so til he tried.
    So he buckled right in, with a trace of a grin
    On his face. If he worried, he hid it.
    He started to sing, and tackled the thing
    that couldn't be done and he did it!

    So don't tell me it can't be done! It is my "gauntlet", lay it down and I will cross!

  2. #2
    cyndiofthevortex's Avatar cyndiofthevortex is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Clairvoyance!

    Great story, Jean. Love the poem! Can't wait to see what happens with all these Drunkard's Path blocks! I haven't made one since the days when we had to trace around cardboard templates and cut each piece out by hand. You certainly are one persistant gal making these blocks behave themselves! Keep going for it! Don't let them win! You can do it!
    Cyndi


    “Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.” - Victor Hugo

  3. #3
    Jean Sewing Machine's Avatar Jean Sewing Machine is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Clairvoyance!

    Quote Originally Posted by cyndiofthevortex View Post
    Great story, Jean. Love the poem! Can't wait to see what happens with all these Drunkard's Path blocks! I haven't made one since the days when we had to trace around cardboard templates and cut each piece out by hand. You certainly are one persistant gal making these blocks behave themselves! Keep going for it! Don't let them win! You can do it!
    I will conquer the curve! Now, with a new foot and two new templates, as well as fabric, I have quite a little investment going here, so I need to conquer it!

  4. #4
    Quiltlover's Avatar Quiltlover is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Clairvoyance!

    I wanna see, I wanna see!! Would love to see some of your blocks to follow along as you make this.
    Brenda

  5. #5
    EnumclawGramma's Avatar EnumclawGramma is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Clairvoyance!

    A step by step photo journal for the rest of us curious on-lookers would be nice! I would love to watch your progress on this new challenge. No doubt you're up for it! (Have you all SEEN the works of art in her album?!?!)
    ~~Libby~~

    Quilters make great comforters.

    Friendship is sewn with love and measured by kindness.

  6. #6
    GrammaBabs's Avatar GrammaBabs is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Clairvoyance!

    i've seen that foot... there is video on YouTube (my place to get lost in for crafting)... looks so easy.. LOL
    Keep us posted about how it's working... might be on my list to buy...
    I really love that poem... going to print it out to use for something for DH for Father's Day...it is the definition of my Mr.Bill....
    I envy you your passion for sewing and quilting... i run out of steam, and then there is all this "house crap".... don't know what i'd do without my guy,,,, but if God Willing i ever be alone... it will be crafting 24/7!!! I'll make my living room/dining.. my "space".. with a small couch area for "visitors"...LOL
    "Each day well-live and Happy;
    that's all there is to Life!"

  7. #7
    sewbizzy's Avatar sewbizzy is offline Senior Member
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    Red face Re: Clairvoyance!

    I'm not familiar with the Drunkard's Path, but I am going to look it up..I know you will do it right...I'm also anxious to see how your progress goes...thanks for all the tips! have a great day, Carol

  8. #8
    Sandy Navas's Avatar Sandy Navas is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Clairvoyance!

    Dear Jean,
    Oh, how I hate to write, but I must let you know this . . . right?
    I am sorry I was picking on you!! I occasionally have to look up difficult words, too!
    Sending you lots and lots of hugs - wish I had your energy for staying up late and sewing.

    Sandy . . . ;-(
    Be warned. I am BORED.
    This could be dangerous.

    When you get cold just go stand in the corner.
    They are usually 90 degrees.

    A giraffe's coffee would be cold by the time it reached the bottom of his throat.
    Ever think about that? No? You only think about yourself??

  9. #9
    rebeccas-sewing's Avatar rebeccas-sewing is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Clairvoyance!

    Jean - Do you really think the curved piecing foot is worth it? Is it definitely easier to use than a regular clear foot?
    Last edited by rebeccas-sewing; May 15th, 2012 at 12:05 PM.
    Rebecca in Baarn, Netherlands by way of Orange County, CA.

  10. #10
    Jean Sewing Machine's Avatar Jean Sewing Machine is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Clairvoyance!

    Quote Originally Posted by rebeccas-sewing View Post
    Jean - Do you really think the curved piecing foot is worth it? Is it definitely easier to use than a regular clear foot?
    Rebecca, Since I've never tried it before, I can't say. Some on the internet say you don't need a special foot. I only know it gave me the courage to try curves, which I wouldn't consider doing before I saw this demo. I'd say, I have seen people modify their plastic see through feet to open them up ( thus the invention of the open toed foot), so if a plastic foot for your machine is cheaper ( under $30), you could modify it with a file or jeweler's saw to make it shorter. This foot also has a little "wall" on the right of the needle to help you do a 1/4" seam. I think it was worth it to me, maybe not to someone else. I know you can do it with a regular foot.

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