Hey there, I wanted to give an update on my progress with my Quick Curve Ruler project.
First of all, I have changed my mind on fabric three times and on the pattern once. I had originally planned to do the project in the fabric you see above, Oh My! by Sanae. I changed my mind and decided to switch to William Morris fabrics, since I had a good amount in my stash and it goes so well with my home decor. I ordered additional fabric from Keepsake Quilting on June 15, which to date has not yet arrived. Shame on you Keepsake Quilting. Nobody else I have ever ordered fabric from has taken this long to mail out a precut jellyroll. Ten days and I still don't have it. Boo.
The Sew Along began this Monday and I didn't want to fall too far behind, so I decided to use what William Morris fabric I had on hand and not wait any longer for slow poke Keepsake Fabrics to get me my order. So, I cut it up and started making my blocks.
Another mind change was to switch from Metro Rings to Metro Hoops for my pattern, because I thought maybe Metro Hoops was a bit less complex. I am just starting out as a novice with this tool, so why make it hard? I ordered the pdf pattern from Sew Kind of Wonderful and got started yesterday.
Aren't those William Morris fabrics pretty? I thought so too.
And here are five botched blocks that I had to discard. I do not know what the heck I was doing wrong. I checked and double checked my measurements, and they were all correct. My stitching was a good quarter inch seam. The curved piecing was pretty easy. But they were off, and I mean "OFF".
However...should the pieces be that much off? Have any of you who have made these blocks had that huge amount hanging off the end? You are supposed to trim up the block, but still.
I think my issues must lie in the instructions for squaring up the blocks, which I am finding rather unfathomable. "Line this mark up to the 3" line, and that mark up to the 5" mark, but leave a half to a quarter inch for seam allowance.." Huh?
I gave up on using my good William Morris fabric, and went back to my original choice of "Oh My!", which I didn't love as much. I got pretty tired of wasting all that nice William Morris collection, which was vintage and very pretty. I practiced and practiced making blocks with the more colorful collection and some cheap muslin for the background. Finally I ended up with the four blocks shown at the top of this post, which aren't too bad, but those intersections where the brown triangles come together are not perfect by any means.
Can anyone suggest where I might be going wrong? Or is this just the nature of working with curved piecing and this ruler?
omg thankyou for being honest I have made 3 quilts with this ruler and have had the same issue I don't understand either about 1 out of 3 make it i have a stack of discards as well I started pinning in the center but if you find a better way please share
Posted by: diana | June 25, 2014 at 04:59 AM
This is how I felt about using a pineapple block ruler. I finally ditched the whole thing. Good luck! I hope it all becomes clear and easy.
Posted by: Diane Linford | June 25, 2014 at 05:52 AM
I am making metro rings right now, and I had difficulties getting the curves to come out right UNTIL I watched Jenny's tutorial video on sewing the curves. Her method works every time! If you haven't watched her video, it may help you. And it requires no pins- which is a bonus in my book! I really enjoyed doing the curves! Hope this helps.
Posted by: Sandy | June 25, 2014 at 06:12 AM
I've had the same issue with Keepsake Quilting. I don't order from them anymore. Too many other businesses that ship promptly! Maybe we should all boycott Keepsake??LOL??
Posted by: Peggy | June 25, 2014 at 06:16 AM
I applaud your bravery on using this new ruler and pattern but you were certainly wise not to continue to use your delicious Wm Morris fabrics as you work out the hiccups. I was glad to read there's a tutorial and hope that helps.
In the past, I have ordered from Keepsake without problems or delays, but on 6/5 I ordered just two charm packs, got an order confirmation, but then didn't get a shipping notice. I called them on the 10th (fell thru the cracks but is being sent) and on the 14th (on backorder but it's now in and will be shipped on the 16th), and they called me on the 16th to say it was out of stock and no more was coming, had not been coming, and that their computer was wrong. Oh, and those charm squares were still on the website as "in stock" until late on the 16th. Wherever the hang-up in their shipping is happening, they need to fix it quickly. I did receive my substitute charm packs fairly quickly.
Hope your jelly roll arrives soon.
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | June 25, 2014 at 06:29 AM
Finger press the center of each piece, that's a good indicator if you're pulling too much on the top or bottom fabric. If the pieces aren't even close to matching at the halfway point that's not a good sign, stop and start over. Also, the fabric next to the needle needs to match up, don't pay any attention to the fabric three inches out, it just needs to line up when it's sewed together. I also watched the videos! I had no issues, but then I just got done piecing a million gypsy kisses curves, I think you'll improve!
Posted by: Thelma | June 25, 2014 at 06:31 AM
I like Thelma's advice - but honestly I wonder if she has tried making this specific block? It is a challenge - the cutting instructions are a bit confusing and I had trouble with step 13. I had to finally just "live" with the fact that my points won't all match - and now that I'm finished I do love the quilt. I have a lot of "woops" blocks and I will someday make them up into something. Good luck - and thanks for being so "real" about your experience with sewing - and everything for that matter! Have a super weekend ;-).
Posted by: Carmen | June 25, 2014 at 08:16 AM
Welcome to the curved ruler.
Posted by: Sharon | June 25, 2014 at 08:29 AM
That fabric really is pretty and worth waiting for. I would call though to make sure it is on it's way, could be it is out.of stock and didn't tell you - boo keepsake is right! Will be watching your progress and tips as both patterns are on my list. I think on her blog she has step by step instructions for use. Good luck!
Posted by: Anita | June 25, 2014 at 01:45 PM
One of the women who goes to our Wed. AM quilting group was reading a Keepsake Quilting catalog this morning. I shared your experience & directed them to your blog. There is too much competition out there for the shipping delays to be o.k. I'm steering clear of them!
Posted by: Jan | June 25, 2014 at 02:25 PM
Thank you for being so honest. Had the same issues with my Metro Rings. Thought it was just me.
Posted by: Gail | June 25, 2014 at 05:32 PM
dang! i'm scared for you!
Posted by: ina | June 25, 2014 at 07:31 PM
Have you checked out you tube videos on using the ruler? There are a LOT of videos that should help with your "issues". This ruler has been on my "must get list" after I watched a friend using it.
Posted by: Liz A. | June 25, 2014 at 10:30 PM
I have made metro hoops three times and have taught it three times. First make sure the strip set measures correct. Next make sure modified square measures 8" before cutting curve, it looks like yours may be short. The backgrounds should look like the diagram when sewn to the curved strip set. This will make it easier to square up and also make each fabric at the end of the strip set approx the same size, it looks like yours are two very different sizes. I love these patterns they are so fun to make once you get use to her registration points that you have to square to.
Posted by: Missy | June 26, 2014 at 07:06 AM
I love Jenny's patterns and ruler - but I have only made the Urban 9-patch so far with it, and it turned out amazing, just amazing. I do have the Metro Rings pattern though too, and plan to make it soon.
Posted by: Karin | June 26, 2014 at 08:17 PM