Oh my gosh, some spring break this has been. We had planned originally to go down to Palm Desert to enjoy some sunshine, but couldn't find a decent place to stay. We canceled those plans and decided to stay home. This has been a very lazy week, with me spending too much time on the computer wasting time. I've done some reading, but not much sewing, and don't have much to show for the week.
Today was Moda BlockHeads release day, but the featured block was all complicated paper piecing, which didn't fit with my lazy attitude. I substituted a block (block 47) from Jessica Dayon's Scrappy Sampler sew-along. Now, here's the thing about Jessica Dayon. She comes up with great block patterns and does a fantastic job of explaining how to construct them. But. She doesn't press, she doesn't pin, and she doesn't trim her block units as she goes. This drives me crazy, but I decided to try to go with the flow and make the block her way. I highly recommend that you watch her block tutorial and you'll see what I mean. She gets great results, but she gets there in a different way than I do. One must have an open mind to other ways of doing things, right?
I did pretty well following along with Jessica, but I absolutely could not resist pressing my block units as I went along. I just had to press. And then, I had to trim my block units to size before sewing them together into the block.
So, this block unit was fairly complex, with lots of ways to go wonky. I followed Jessica's directions, but could not resist the urge to trim the unit down. As you can see by the trimming, I did manage to shave off some extra fabric and end up with an accurately sized unit.
Love how my block turned out, but I think I am going to keep pressing and trimming as I go.
And then. Our weather has taken a giant step backward. It is April. It is Spring. We live in California. It is time for sunshine, temperatures in the 70s and spending lots of time outside. But wait, Mother Nature didn't get the message.
Yesterday it snowed. On April 3rd. What is happening?
Have a good weekend everyone!
Your block is very precise & I agree there is more than one way to reach the same results. I'm so set in my pressing & trimming ways I don't know if I could do it! Aren't those little trimming scraps so satisfying? 😂🤣 It's still winter in our area with snow forecast for the weekend. What you show in your photo is referred to as 'a skiff' of snow around here! ❄️
Posted by: Jan | April 05, 2024 at 08:29 AM
I was surprised at how cold it was yesterday (I live near SF). Brrrrr!
Jen Kingwell does not press until the end either. I can't wait until the end. My piecing is much better when I press along the way. I can see how not pressing would save time, but it's a no from me;) Your new block looks so pretty!
Posted by: Jeanie | April 05, 2024 at 08:50 AM
I follow Jessica too.. I thought it was just me worrying about not pressing and squaring up blocks.Every one has their preferences and it works for them
Posted by: Clair Becker | April 05, 2024 at 09:40 AM
that block is amazing! that would make a gorgeous quilt all by itself. not pressing until the end? that sounds like a potential disaster for me. doesn't pin? yikes.
have a great weekend and stay warm. I was wearing my knit hat while we were playing dominoes yesterday afternoon. I haven't done that since winter last year. ;o
Posted by: Ina | April 05, 2024 at 09:52 AM
I am finding I HAVE to use pins, and also press between steps, to get the right size. I'm making half log cabin blocks and am literally having to measure each two strips I sew together. Otherwise my block is just 1/16-1/8 off and that is too disappointing.
Posted by: sue s | April 05, 2024 at 11:48 AM
I agree with you, I have to press and trim as I go too. Otherwise my blocks are all wonky! I think Mother Nature has gone insane. You're having snow and we had an earthquake this morning. The whole house was shaking! Don't get many of them here in NJ! 😂
Posted by: Carolyn | April 05, 2024 at 11:56 AM
Snowing here in the SoCal mountains again today with six inches so far. I am wondering if Spring will ever happen here. We also had snow for Easter weekend. Loving your blocks Nicole, and I would do the same as you - press and trim as you go along.
Posted by: Arrowhead Gramma | April 05, 2024 at 02:07 PM
I grew up in NJ and I so detested Spring snow events that spoiled the wearing of my new Spring outfit including a hat and "spring coat" for church for Easter and beyond. Then I lived in SoCal for 25 years, didn't know that it snowed anywhere in CA except the mountains. So sorry. DFW has recently had winds, lots of rain. You have to hold onto your hair some days. Just planted up my haul from the garden nursery this wknd, so warmer weather is here. Hope we see the eclipse for the low clouds predicted for tomorrow. Love your block Nicole, glad you have a resource for when the blocks in a collection don't match what you picture in your quilt. As always, you have a lovely quilt in your future.
Posted by: Stephani in N. TX | April 07, 2024 at 07:30 AM
I learned to sew while living at home years ago. My mom had to always pound into my head 'press as you go along.' I think that works for quilting as well, but I do admit Jessica's work is wonderful.
We are in the path of the eclipse today, so I guess that's something to stir up excitement. We will see!
Posted by: Mary | April 08, 2024 at 04:23 AM