Pattern Review :: Tiny Geese Keychain
Several weeks ago, I bought Michael Ann Made’s Tiny Geese Keychain PDF pattern and made one to go with my Poppy clutch free pattern. Since I was in a hurry and tearing the papers off of paper pieced items makes me a little crazy, I skipped most of the geese in the original keychain, just adding a few at the beginning and end. But, I really wanted to make another with all the geese, so I did a bit of an experiment.
Since the pattern has a layer of interfacing fused to the back of the paper pieced portion after removing the papers, I decided to trace my pattern directly to interfacing and sew it that way. I used a scrap of Pellon® Fusable Midweight 931TD, and traced my pattern to the non-fusible side. I was using what I had on hand, but I think I’d have chosen a non-fusible interfacing {like Pellon® Midweight 930} if I was buying new, because I was unable to iron my project until I was finished {though, this did not actually present a problem!}.
I sewed my fabrics to the interfacing, just like I would have to paper, except I didn’t shorten my stitch length, and I didn’t back stitch, since I knew there wasn’t going to be the pressure of paper tearing.
I know this photo is grainy {I took all of these with my iPad instead of my camera}, but this is the mess that comes with scrappy paper piecing, at least for me. It was fun going through the fabrics and trying to fussy cut those tiny pieces too.
And here is my finished keychain. The hardware I had on hand was 1 1/4″ wide, instead of the 1″ called for in the pattern. So, I left a 3/8″ seam allowance on either side of the geese when I trimmed {instead of the called for 1/4″} and then sewed a 2″ strip for the backing. Then I slipped a 1 1/4″ piece of fusible fleece inside the turned tube and fused it. It fit perfectly! I think my favorite thing is those three pink geese on the front. I debated long and hard whether to make the keychain mostly blue or pink, and finally decided to just do a few accent pink geese.
Next time I make this {there are more in my future for sure!}I think I’ll prints with a little more contrast, I feel like my geese blend in a little too much in places. But, most of these are my favrite fabrics, so I’m okay with that here. Also, I will zig zag the top of the keychain together before putting it in the hardware. My raw edges poke out a tiny bit on one side {probably only noticable to me}, so it would have been better to finish the edges.
Do you like paper piecing? I feel like it’s the major skill I need to tackle, because it intimidates me and I just shy away from it. But there are so many great patterns out there I want to make! I’d love to know your thoughts, tips, or favorite patterns!
I’m not a paper-piecing fan, though I love seeing the beautiful blocks people make using that method. I’m still a newbie with the regular pieced blocks, and really, really enjoy making them. Maybe someday I’ll branch out :)! I LOVE your little Key Chain – beautiful work!
Your Keychain looks great. I too am a bit intimidated by paper piecing but am trying a larger blocks the moment.
That is totally adorable! So tiny! I shy away from paper piecing because I like to sew because I love fabric and sewing on paper kind of ruins that feeling for me. That said, I’ve needed to do it a few times for quilts that I was working on and I need to reteach it to myself every time! I love that you used the interfacing–no paper and no tearing! Genius!
Very cute key chain Jennie! I love to paper piece, just not too happy with the mess I always make while digging through scraps. Have a happy day!
Girl! You’re a genius!
robin 🙂
I really like paper piecing! I don’t do it that often so it is like starting over each time I do it!’ This is so cute!! Great ideas!!
I’m really just getting into paper piecing. I’m on my second project and loving it. I actually don’t mind the paper but for something small I think the interfacing is a great idea. I only have one tip for using the paper. Fold along all the sewing lines before you start so that you can see the line easier from the back and it makes trimming much easier. x
What a great idea! Cute keychain.
I love your keychain: it must have been quite fiddly! I love paper piecing – started with a great book called Quilters Ark. Obviously all animals and it is exciting to see the shape emerge.
I LOVE paper piecing! I don’t even mind pulling the paper off. Many of my favorite patterns come from Quiet Play, TartanKiwi, and Quilt Art Designs. Some of them are complex but that’s part of what I love about paper piecing — no matter how complex the pattern, it’s just the same steps over and over again, maybe just more of them or with smaller pieces. And the things you can make are amazing! For your project I think the pattern on the interfacing idea is a really good one.
It’s not often that I click through from feedly to comment, but this is entirely too adorable and lovely to go unsaid! Great fabrics and fussy cutting, smiles