See my string quilt below to understand why I am so concerned about bias in making quilt tops. Now, I have been making quilts a long time, but I still goof up. I made some string quilt blocks on MSQC's 10 inch foundation papers. I did not realize that the edges were on the bias. I should have sewn them together before removing the paper, but I didn't. As a result , I have more waves than the Pacific Ocean. I was pretty rough in taking the paper off. Live and learn.
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Joyce "She who dies with the most fabric wins!!" -
Re: Why I am Scared of Bias
Sympathy: I'm so sorry you've got waves! There is a reason we've been taught to be suspicious of bias edges.
Encouragement: Your blocks are beautiful! You've used lovely fabrics and the four together look great.
Advice: Gently take off your borders and measure them the same size as your blocks are supposed to be, ten inches. Then pin those suckers down with 100 pins to keep the bias edges from stetching before sewing them back onto the blocks. You can conquer those waves. I know you can.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 -
Re: Why I am Scared of Bias
It looks great, waves and all. When I see a scrappy string quilt I expect it to be slightly imperfect. If you want perfection pick some modern ultra-geometric design. String quilts aren't supposed to be "perfect". You should be very proud of what you've made there!Loosely based on a true story.Comment
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Re: Why I am Scared of Bias
That happened to me too, but I was lucky enough to catch it before I took all the paper off all the blocks. Now I stay stitch bias edges before I sew them together.
Still think this is a lovely string quilt! I love the scrappy string quilts, & your colors are very pretty..May the road rise up to meet you...
May the wind be always at your back...
May you be in Heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you're dead...
Patt :icon_wave:Comment
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Re: Why I am Scared of Bias
A Hint for making the paper come off easier - make your stitches smaller. Also use a damp q-tip to run along the stitching line will ease the paper removal.
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Re: Why I am Scared of Bias
First of all, I like your quilt a lot and don't really see many waves. It looks great! Second, thanks for the heads up. I never really thought about all of those edges being on the bias! I bought the large paper squares when they were a DD and have the intention of trying a string quilt at some point. Now I will definitely sew them together before removing the paper.
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MarciComment
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