Piecing Order
I’ve been working on Silas’s twin size quilt, and I’m wondering, when you follow a pattern, do you cut all the pieces to the sizes indicated? I am using the Bizzy Kid pattern by Cluck, Cluck, Sew, and the instructions indicate that I am supposed to cut 2 1/2″ strips and then sub-cut them into smaller strips for the large square. Instead, I’ve just been sewing my fabric onto the 2 1/2″ strips, and then trimming after they’re sewn.
Personally, I feel more comfortable trimming a tiny bit off each block than having any that didn’t line up correctly or were cut a bit too short. I sometimes wonder if I’m the only one with this problem, or if there’s a better way to to things?
Now, my question to you, do you have a method that works great that I should try? I’m really hoping to finish this quilt in a couple weeks, and I could use your time/fabric saving tips!
P.S. The fabric shown is Beach Stripe from Flights of Fancy by Paula Prass and Daisy’s Dates from Reunion by Sweetwater.
I don’t have any tips to share, but i like your technique.
I am curious to see what others might say. I don’t like the cutting so I do as little as possible and so would rather do what you do as I am going to trim anyway. Also I seldom cut all the fabric in one go, I cut some of the blocks and sew some and carry on that way which allows me to sew quicker but also allows for me to change my mind, switch out fabrics, find shortcuts, etc.
That’s how I’d do it. I did the same sort of thing with flying geese earlier this year. It took a lot of stress and pressure off of the process for me. 🙂
I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Actually I usually cut all the pieces and then do the sewing. And I usually cut to the size specified in the pattern, unless it’s for half square triangles, which I usually cut larger so I can trim down.
Basically I use to do the same, join the long strips to the fabric first then only trim it. This is always the best way for me to avoid from cutting the fabric wrongly.
I’m for larger pieces then trimming. I had a difficult time sewing blocks in a quilt a long for the same reason. The peices were so small that it was not fun for a newbie like me. So I’m off to follow another with larger pieces. Make your quilt the way iit is most comfortable for you. It looks lovely from my view!
I do a lot of testing for a good friend of mine. And I’ve tried different ways of doing the same thing. I much prefer to keep the strips long, and sew the blocks onto them, then trim. I think it makes for more accurate piecing and it goes much quicker. Have fun!
I tend to be on the neurotic side of matching my seams and cutting. :o) ha ha ha. So because I like a little wiggle room, I typically sew a scant 1/4″ seam and trim as I go. It takes a little bit longer, but my quilts look better in the long run. :o) I love the pattern you are using and can not wait to see it complete!
I’m the same way! But then again, I seem to think differently when quilting than a lot of others do so I often veer off the pattern’s path!
Jennifer 🙂
Just had to pop over and see what you are up too…I am always in love with the fabrics you use.
Happy day to you.
I prefer your method. Who wants to cut lots of little pieces. Much easier to cut from strip sets.