Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Smitten block one progress

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So two weeks in and I have completed my first two blocks. I am not sure if they really go together but I am just ploughing onwards. I swapped out a few fabrics as I came to do each hexagon. I just felt that I needed a more subtle colour to go on the outer ring.

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I laid out all my bright colours and went a bit blind. Really? That bright? Hmmm. I kept laying them out in different combos then finally opted for a grey low volume to go with it all to bring the brightness down a bit.

Block one
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Was it a good idea? not sure, but it does frame the cog shape quite well.

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I decided to experiment with some different techniques. I sew basted each element first which takes a bit longer than gluing but allows for a bit more manipulation when sewing them together. However, I found that it was quite hard lining the elements up. I made a bit of a dog's dinner of some bits.

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Pink and yellow give it a real pop. Too bright? perhaps. We'll see how it comes together. Overall, it all came together in the end and I love the rainy theme of the fabrics. But can you see how my section on the left doesn't line up? Was that because of my loose sew basting? Perhaps. I have no idea.

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Block two
I glue basted this time using my Roxanne glue. It's pretty great! A bit messier than the sewline glue pen but still easy to use. I just hope it comes off at the end! I also swapped out my needle. Hirosihima for block one, Black gold for block two. I do think that the black gold needles go through my finger pad quite easily which is annoying, but overall they just glide through like butter and are my preference.

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The Superior thread is brilliant. There's no turning back from that. I think I will be buying more of that. On reflection I probably only need an off white neutral thread for it all in future.

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On the whole I was a lot more accurate with my piecing but I still fudged some bits. Look at that fumble above. Cripes. Oh well, I am sure I will get better with practice. Overall, I am a bit worried that the grey outer section is a little dull and will stand out too much. We shall see.

I am just starting block three! I have decided to ditch the less saturated outer ring rule and am just going for it. I had to buy a new angle poise light from Ikea specially so I can piece in front of the telly. It's just a bit too dark otherwise.

That's all for now. Back to watching the Bake Off...

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