paper-piecing | Simple Bird Applique

Has this ever happened to you? I was so excited (I mean really excited) to finally start stitching my blocks together, along with the paper pieced stars and sashings. I obviously wasn’t paying attention…just pinning and stitching…pinning and stitching. Did I mention I was really excited?

Then I spent a bit of time ripping out and ripping out. Then, again with the pinning and the stitching. Ah…..that’s much better!

So now that all the blocks are going the correct way (I think), it is time to start working on the border, which has some lovely appliqued scallops. Can’t wait to get started on those. I absolutely loved paper piecing those little stars. I ran into a tiny glitch that I want to share with you. The stars are supposed to be 4 1/2″ square unfinished. And so the sashings are cut at 4 1/2″ x 15 1/2″ to match the stars. Well…for some reason, my stars measured 4 1/4” square. Every single one of them. Hardly the end of the world, though…

Thank goodness I hadn’t cut my sashing strips yet, otherwise I would have been trimming them down from 4 1/2″ to 4 1/4″, which would have been a pain in the neck. So, when I did cut my sashings, I cut them 4 1/4” x 15 1/2. The moral of this story is to make your stars first, then cut your sashings to match that measurement.

I have been taking a bit of time to work on my samples for The Academy of Applique 2018. This is all I can show you now:)

I just want to remind anyone who is interested in the Bed of Roses BOM, that July 1 is fast approaching. If you are thinking of signing up, there are a couple of spots left, so best hurry! The details are on the website Simple Bird Studio.

Til next time….

Kerry

Now that I am (almost) finished stitching all 9 blocks, I am getting ready to stitch the blocks together. I am excited! I am adding a few touches of hand embroidery to the blocks, which I am rather enjoying.

I am making sure all of the blocks are washed before I trim them to the proper size. First, I fill the sink with very hot water and I add a squirt of liquid hand soap. Then I toss the block in. It’s not neatly as heart wrenching as you would imagine. Trust me:)

I usually let it soak for half an hour or so to get the starch and glue out of the block.

When its finished soaking, I rinse it under water to make sure all the soap is gone.

I gently squeeze the excess water out and lay it out on a thick towel to air dry. That’s all there is to it!

I have started working on the paper-pieced stars that make up the cornerstones in this setting. I had forgotten how much I love paper-piecing. It is so precise and you are practically guaranteed perfect results. What is not to love about that?

Paper-piecing is really not difficult as long as you do not have a cat on your lap.

Remember that you have until July 1 to sign up for Bed of Roses, a Block of the Month I recently completed. Here are some photos, just to tempt you! Details are on the website Simple Bird Studio.