Friday, September 9, 2022

Tiny Pieced Chevron + Strings

Though the Mini Series Sew Along actually officially starts on September 12, two extra tiny-pieced block patterns were available through the Meander Quilt Guild hosted by Shannon Brinkley. There was a String block available with Giuseppe Ribaudo/@giucy_giuce's recent Tiny Piecing Trunk Show; and if you joined Meander, you could also access Giuseppe's Tiny Piecing workshop. (Note that you can join Meander annually, or by the month, which is what I did so I could access the workshop and see what Meander was all about. Let's just say, I was impressed.) With the workshop came the pattern for a Chevron block, which is actually the first one I made, after seeing Giuseppe demonstrate.

In addition to my fabric bundle, I had gathered the supplies needed - a seam roller (to use instead of an iron at each step), an add an eighth ruler (for trimming after each fabric was added on), and a small rotary cutter. Giuseppe also suggested 80wt thread, which I don't remember from my previous tiny piecing experience, but since I had the perfect-colored Aurifil 80wt 6722 [Sea Biscuit] spool, that's what I'm using, and it's working great, both as my top thread, and in the bobbin.


I'd been having trouble printing my pattern to the correct size. Even though my settings were set to print at 100%, the result was printing at just a smidge less than they were supposed to. So I actually made two versions of the Chevron block, but at least I finally got it correct. I found if I printed 103%, it printed just right. Still not sure what that's all about, but I can work with it. 


What I do know is that I'm happy to see how my fabric palette played out. The two blues in my 'muted rainbow' weren't needed in the Chevron, so I'll include them in subsequent blocks. But overall I'm really pleased with the result, and was happy with how the construction technique felt familiar pretty quickly.


Up next was the string block, and I started at the other end of my fabric color spectrum so those blues got a starring role.


Gotta say, I love the two blocks together! Coordinated, of course, but each with their own range of color. It'll be interesting to see as I make more blocks, how that range changes. I'm looking forward to finding out!

10 comments:

  1. What is not to love! They are both beautiful and the quilt/project will be amazing. xo

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  2. Sometimes printing patterns is just fiddly. I'm glad you figured out the setting you need to get things to measure correctly. The muted rainbow is stunning, and it will definitely be fun to see how the range changes as you make more blocks and they interact with one another.

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  3. Looks great! The paper piecing gives accuracy right? Then you avoid unintended wonkiness.

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  4. These are awesome! I saw your post on IG and love seeing the larger pictures here. That background fabric is perfect!

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  5. The crisp look of those blocks is just so cool. Your color palette is so nice, too. I'm glad you got the printing figured out. Will be fun to see this progress!

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  6. Your craftsmanship and color choices are incredible. I am in awe.

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    1. oh thank you Carol. That's so kind of you to say. The paper piecing makes the accuracy easy!

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  7. Those blocks are beautiful. Your piecing is so perfect and the fabric choices and placement are beautiful!!!

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  8. I made 8 mini series blocks for the previous SAL and have gotten the new patterns for this mini series SAL. I haven't totally decided on which fabric I'll use for my background, this time. I used black before, so I'm thinking something light. I'm also a Meander Quilt Guild member so I've watched the Tiny Piecing Workshop already.

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    1. oh good for you! Glad you are joining in again. Did you make something with your original 8 mini series blocks?

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