Thank you to all of you who have sent me such helpful suggestions on how I might make my corner triangles align more accurately in my Metro Hoops project, using the Quick Curve Ruler by Sew Kind of Wonderful. My blocks are flat, they are squaring up to a perfect 8 inches, but those darn corner triangle intersections are all just "a little bit off". And a little bit off bugs me.
I decided to lay that project aside for a bit. I will get back to wrestling with Metro Hoops eventually, but just had to reward myself with something that was working a bit more smoothly for me.
My plan is to try my hand at another Sew Kind of Wonderful pattern called Urban Winter, also using the Quick Curve Ruler. This block also has gentle curves, but no pesky corner triangle units to line up. I pulled some fabric from my stash, ZaZa by Erin Michaels, a collection from a few years ago that you cannot find for love or money. I am just using the purples, along with Moda Bella "Natural" for my background.
If any of you are sewing along with Lisa and Thelma and I, you might be interested to watch Jenny Pedigo's Quick Curve Ruler videos, which I found helpful. Another tip I got from Dawn White of First Light Designs, is to mark your sewing machine throat plate an exact 3/4" forward of the needle. Dawn calls this "the sweet spot", and focusing on it as I sew the curve is working very well for me. Here is how Dawn explained it to me:
"The sweet spot is exactly 3/4" in front of and 1/4" to the right of the needle. To measure, put the needle in the down position, make the measurements, and put a small dot on the sewing machine bed where the two measurements intersect. I use an Ultra-Fine Point Sharpie to make the mark on my machine bed (easily removed with nail polish remover on a Q-tip).
When your two curved pieces are ready to sew together, take about three stitches at the beginning of the seam to make sure the two layers are connected. Align the fabric so that the two edges come together at the sweet spot. Keeping your eyes on that spot — not on the needle! — start sewing the layers together. If you train yourself to keep your eyes fixed on this spot as you feed the two layers of fabric together, your seams should come together beautifully. "
18 responses to “Urban Winter”
I contacted jenny about the issues that you and I and a few others I saw. the videos she has only cover her original blocks not these after ones and she did reply so great that she was going to try and get out a video next week for the rings and hoops !!and she would let me know when they were don’t I bought the hoops and I plan to try a block later
I contacted jenny about the issues that you and I and a few others I saw. the videos she has only cover her original blocks not these after ones and she did reply so great that she was going to try and get out a video next week for the rings and hoops !!and she would let me know when they were don’t I bought the hoops and I plan to try a block later
I contacted jenny about the issues that you and I and a few others I saw. the videos she has only cover her original blocks not these after ones and she did reply so great that she was going to try and get out a video next week for the rings and hoops !!and she would let me know when they were don’t I bought the hoops and I plan to try a block later
Cheers for a less challenging project to work on while your finger heals completely! Urban Winter is a wonderful block and your chosen purples will make a lovely quilt!
I found all of the suggestions yesterday very helpful, too. Thanks to all!
Hugs!
Cheers for a less challenging project to work on while your finger heals completely! Urban Winter is a wonderful block and your chosen purples will make a lovely quilt!
I found all of the suggestions yesterday very helpful, too. Thanks to all!
Hugs!
Cheers for a less challenging project to work on while your finger heals completely! Urban Winter is a wonderful block and your chosen purples will make a lovely quilt!
I found all of the suggestions yesterday very helpful, too. Thanks to all!
Hugs!
I love a challenge, so I am planning to order this ruler when things slow down here. One thought I had~ do you use a walking foot? That should help those corners too. 😉 Have a happy weekend!
I love a challenge, so I am planning to order this ruler when things slow down here. One thought I had~ do you use a walking foot? That should help those corners too. 😉 Have a happy weekend!
I love a challenge, so I am planning to order this ruler when things slow down here. One thought I had~ do you use a walking foot? That should help those corners too. 😉 Have a happy weekend!
My eyes would be watching that spot instead of the needle which would result in a visit to the ER much the same as your’s!! I think I’ll continue to live vicariously through your blogs rather than take that chance!! Glad you’re taking a break to work on something more enjoyable!
My eyes would be watching that spot instead of the needle which would result in a visit to the ER much the same as your’s!! I think I’ll continue to live vicariously through your blogs rather than take that chance!! Glad you’re taking a break to work on something more enjoyable!
My eyes would be watching that spot instead of the needle which would result in a visit to the ER much the same as your’s!! I think I’ll continue to live vicariously through your blogs rather than take that chance!! Glad you’re taking a break to work on something more enjoyable!
These blocks look great, although I thought the last batch looked great too!
These blocks look great, although I thought the last batch looked great too!
These blocks look great, although I thought the last batch looked great too!
I looked on Etsy and found some 1 yard pieces & charm pack of your ZA ZA fabric 😀 Also found on Ebay a partial charm pack. Was not sure how much of this fabric you needed
I looked on Etsy and found some 1 yard pieces & charm pack of your ZA ZA fabric 😀 Also found on Ebay a partial charm pack. Was not sure how much of this fabric you needed
I looked on Etsy and found some 1 yard pieces & charm pack of your ZA ZA fabric 😀 Also found on Ebay a partial charm pack. Was not sure how much of this fabric you needed