Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Accuracy

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I love accuracy, which is probably why quilting appeals to me.  If you are off in your measurements for cutting, seam allowance or a myriad of other considerations, your project can come out all sloppy and wonky.  In tomorrow’s post, I will show you a tool that helps me out a lot, but first I would like to share some photos taken at the past weekend’s quilting retreat that I dropped in on.   The blocks shown above are paper pieced by Diana Dominguez, a teacher at Prairequeens and an attendee at the retreat.  Can you even imagine making such sharp points?  Check out the third block down on the left hand side.  Click on the picture to enlarge it.  The points are so thin they are like needles.  Diana collects Kaffe Fasset prints like I do Moda.  Isn’t her work positively awesome?

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Look how the points come together at the center in this block shown above.

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These two blocks above were pieced by my dear friend Isobel, who is probably the most careful and meticulous quilter I know.  This project was a block of the month effort sponsored by Prairiequeens.  It took her a year to complete these blocks and a pieced border.  She is never in a hurry, always takes her time, and produces careful, well designed and constructed quilts.  Did I mention her color choices and fabric selection are awesome as well?

Isobel’s work is so inspiring to me.  She once bought a number of Bow Tie blocks from the 30’s at an antique shop.  She took them home, and carefully restitched each block for greater accuracy.  Once she sewed the blocks together, she had one fabulous quilt, that would hold together far longer than the original quiltmaker’s effort would have.  The vintage blocks were now preserved for history in a much sturdier fashion than before.  This quilt was so gorgeous, my daughter’s photo of it was her screen saver for a year!

As I said, accuracy is very important to me, and it is my hope that someday I can achieve results such as those of Diana and Isobel.

38 responses to “Accuracy”

  1. I am always in awe of this kind of piecing. I am not very accurate – guess that is why I love the primitive stuff – but I do like to try and do these kinds of projects now and then just to see if I can. I have always wanted to do a pickle dish but those points scare me.

  2. I am always in awe of this kind of piecing. I am not very accurate – guess that is why I love the primitive stuff – but I do like to try and do these kinds of projects now and then just to see if I can. I have always wanted to do a pickle dish but those points scare me.

  3. All I can say is WOW! I am definitely not a precision quilter. Hence my love for the wonky. I do enjoy looking at other people’s precision though.

  4. All I can say is WOW! I am definitely not a precision quilter. Hence my love for the wonky. I do enjoy looking at other people’s precision though.

  9. Awesome work on all the quilt blocks. The NY Beauty is unbelievable. I love Kaffe Fassett fabric, but have never used much of it. This makes me want to go out and buy a bunch of it.

  10. Awesome work on all the quilt blocks. The NY Beauty is unbelievable. I love Kaffe Fassett fabric, but have never used much of it. This makes me want to go out and buy a bunch of it.

  11. Awesome work on all the quilt blocks. The NY Beauty is unbelievable. I love Kaffe Fassett fabric, but have never used much of it. This makes me want to go out and buy a bunch of it.

  12. Awesome work on all the quilt blocks. The NY Beauty is unbelievable. I love Kaffe Fassett fabric, but have never used much of it. This makes me want to go out and buy a bunch of it.

  15. The fabric is beautiful in those quilt blocks and the piecing is amazing. I struggle with the accuracy thing and taking my time is always the thing the gets me in the end. I tend to want immediate results and slow and steady is always better.
    Thanks for sharing – Karen

  16. The fabric is beautiful in those quilt blocks and the piecing is amazing. I struggle with the accuracy thing and taking my time is always the thing the gets me in the end. I tend to want immediate results and slow and steady is always better.
    Thanks for sharing – Karen

  17. It’s been WAY too long since I’ve stopped by, Nicole. Looks like you had a great time at the retreat. Thanks for sharing pictures of those beautiful blocks!

  18. It’s been WAY too long since I’ve stopped by, Nicole. Looks like you had a great time at the retreat. Thanks for sharing pictures of those beautiful blocks!

  21. The blocks are just beautiful.
    I can appreciate accuracy, but I must admit that I quilt using the “good enough” method; otherwise I would never get anything done.

  22. The blocks are just beautiful.
    I can appreciate accuracy, but I must admit that I quilt using the “good enough” method; otherwise I would never get anything done.

  23. The blocks are just beautiful.
    I can appreciate accuracy, but I must admit that I quilt using the “good enough” method; otherwise I would never get anything done.

  24. The blocks are just beautiful.
    I can appreciate accuracy, but I must admit that I quilt using the “good enough” method; otherwise I would never get anything done.

  25. Oooh — those pieces are amazing! I’ll have to say I like accuracy, but I’ll usually sacrifice it for the whole “get it done” thing. (I could become way too obsessive if I let myself. Love how your blended quilt is coming along as well — beautiful!

  26. Oooh — those pieces are amazing! I’ll have to say I like accuracy, but I’ll usually sacrifice it for the whole “get it done” thing. (I could become way too obsessive if I let myself. Love how your blended quilt is coming along as well — beautiful!

  29. Looking forward to hearing your tips on accurate piecing. I love accuracy too, but I’m not that great at it yet! Anything you can share to help will be appreciated enormously. The blocks you have shown in this post are unbelievable – I couldn’t imagine ever having the level of skill these would require. Something to aspire to!

  30. Looking forward to hearing your tips on accurate piecing. I love accuracy too, but I’m not that great at it yet! Anything you can share to help will be appreciated enormously. The blocks you have shown in this post are unbelievable – I couldn’t imagine ever having the level of skill these would require. Something to aspire to!

  31. wow they are great blocks I dream of doing something like that one day ????????well I can always dream.
    Hugs Mary.

  32. wow they are great blocks I dream of doing something like that one day ????????well I can always dream.
    Hugs Mary.

  33. Your blog is one of my favorites. I enjoy your insight, talent, and funny ways. I always smile as I read on. I am envious of your fabric choices and your skill level.
    Thanks for sharing!

  34. Your blog is one of my favorites. I enjoy your insight, talent, and funny ways. I always smile as I read on. I am envious of your fabric choices and your skill level.
    Thanks for sharing!

  35. Absolutely beautiful blocks. A big pat on the back to your friend for her pristine piecing. What is the name of the block on the top or where is the pattern? You’re right, her color choices are exceptional.

  36. Absolutely beautiful blocks. A big pat on the back to your friend for her pristine piecing. What is the name of the block on the top or where is the pattern? You’re right, her color choices are exceptional.