Back in August,
Cynthia gave me good advice for paper piecing after I admired her
paper pieced scrappy Basketweave Star and confessed to FPP (Fear of Paper Piecing). She said
"Paper piecing is easy. You just need a technique that works for you. I have tried many over the years but I always go back to how I learned long ago and that is the Carol Doak's method. She really is the master of PP and has a ton of tricks to share. For me, it is the easiest to understand and is very methodical. It is also the method I teach when I teach paper piecing...Give paper piecing a try!"
Fast forward to September 17 when my daughter messaged "There is such a cute pumpkin pillow on the
Stitched with Love webpage!" Of course I had to make it for her.
Stitched With Love is located in McKinney, TX, near my daughter but 3-1/2 hours from me. I called the shop to place my order since the pattern isn't listed in their online store.
I was alarmed to find out it is a paper pieced pattern, so Lysssa at Stitched with Love suggested adding an
Add-A-Quarter-Plus ruler to my order. Although she might as well have been speaking a foreign language, she explained why it would help me.
While waiting for the pattern to arrive, I took Cynthia's advice and purchased
Carol Doak's Craftsy class. I love Carol's personality - she has a dry wit that amuses me and an uncomplicated style of teaching. I haven't finished the class, but I've watched enough to become familiar with the process. I have to admit the concept was so different for me, it took several viewings before the light bulb went on. I'm looking forward to watching the rest of the class to learn more tricks and tips.
Last week I finally started the pattern and slowly but steadily worked on it - I really enjoyed it!
Now the pillow is on its way to my daughter's beautifully fall-decorated house!
Perfect pumpkin! I have FPP, too, but this pumpkin is tempting!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is try it, you'll like it. :)
DeleteWhat a lovely pillow Linda! I bet your daughter loves it! I am a complete novice with paper piecing but it is on my list for something to try in 2016..... I tried crazy quilting this year as learning something new and paper piecing is next year's goal.... maybe I'll invest in the Craftsy Class upfront to help me get started!! Hope you are feeling more uplifted now and your sad situation has improved! Have a lovely weekend! Christine x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Christine!
DeleteI love that pillow!! I am a nut for pillows anyway, and love everything fall. I was just reading your 2015 project list and am looking forward to seeing those coin purses and that geology quilt. I was a geology major for a while, so find this one particularly intriguing.
ReplyDeleteOh my project list...I have a feeling many of those will be forwarded to 2016. How interesting that you were a geology major - my daughter is a geotech and loves geology, and I definitely want to make that quilt!
DeleteHow beautiful! I've never tried doing this but I sure love the effect! Perfect for all of Fall! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Diane!
DeleteI love that pillow. Very pretty, I also love the fabrics that you used for the pumpkins.
ReplyDeleteHi Stephanie - thanks! :)
DeleteCute pumpkins!
ReplyDeleteThanks Paige!
DeleteThat is an adorable pillow! Do you think you got over your fear of paper piecing?! I enjoy doing it, but I also waste a lot of fabric when I do because I cut the pieces huge. I'm always afraid they won't cover the space if I don't!
ReplyDeleteI did get over the fear and enjoyed it, but I haven't had an opportunity to do it again, so the fear might strike next time I try it. ;)
DeleteThe pumpkins are super cute and the grunge fabric is perfect for them!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lena - I love grunge!
DeleteI have the same fear of paper piecing, but I am taking a class this weekend and we will do a little Christmas wall hanging which is paper pieced. I bought a 1/4" ruler like you showed. Crossing my fingers that I get the hang of it!
ReplyDeleteLove your sweet pumpkin pillow! Thanks for coming over and linking up. How is the move progressing?
Good luck Bernie! We are moved in and unpacking. :)
DeleteI love paper piecing and it is true, once you find a method that works for you it becomes so much easier! I love the pillow, it's unique and amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you - what a lovely compliment!
DeleteBeautiful pillow! Sorry to hear about the sad and stressful time, but now that you know how to paper piece, perhaps that will become your "go to" activity to relieve the pressures of life. I know it often works for me. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne! I agree - quilting is very soothing. :)
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