Sunday 15 September 2013

The quilt that is kicking my butt

Aka the Marcelle Medallion. Don't get me wrong, I am absolutely loving making this quilt. But it is really making me aware of just how much improvement is needed in my ability to follow a pattern, and my piecing skills. And how much of a perfectionist I actually am ;o)

The centre star came together okay (although I'm really glad I decided to paper piece it), as did the first border. But then came the triangles. FOUR attempts at the triangles (insert any and all swear words here - I probably uttered them all during the process of making this border).  Admittedly I have never pieced equilateral triangles before - but that isn't really the problem here. The problem was messing up the cutting for this border twice. And then using a seam allowance that was too scant and having to unpick the buggers. Normally I use a scant seam allowance, and my accuracy is pretty good. But for these triangles, a scant seam leads to triangle bases that are just a bit too wide (they should be 2" finished - as you can see from the photo these were a smidge over). And a bit too wide x 10 = a border that doesn't fit.

So my two pieces of advice for the triangle border:

  1. Triple check your triangle pieces against the template. This will help you avoid having to cut three lots of triangles ;o)
  2. Use a true quarter inch seam when piecing your triangles together. It makes a huge difference.



After all the drama, my triangle border is on and I am really happy with how it's coming together as a whole. The DS print on my design wall is my possible third border - although I'm going to wait until I've pieced the fourth (flying geese) border before I decide for sure. I figure it will be easier to make the geese fit properly too if I wait until they are made before attaching the third border.


I'm off to finish up these geese - have I mentioned how seriously addictive this quilt is?

xx Jess



35 comments:

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Perfectionism pays off, it looks incredible!

ipatchandquilt said...

Oh it is gorgeous!!! Fabulous fabrics!!! Can't wait to see what the next border will look like!
Esther
esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo dot com
ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

It is looking great! I have been watching a few of these quilts come together on Instagram, they all look so good!

Susan said...

You are to be admired for your perseverance Jess! Your quilt is looking wonderful! And I think you are very wise to leave the border! See, you have used the experience to learn something, so not wasted at all!

Nat at Made in Home said...

It is looking amazing already!

Rosa said...

Just stunning!

Needled Mom said...

It looks challenging and beautiful!

Nicky said...

Glad you are working hard and enjoying it!

nicole said...

Fantastic!! And that next fabric you've picked will look awesome with your green/yellow/low-vol geese! Can't wait!!

Deborah said...

I think it is just gorgeous! Your color choices are fabulous! Maybe I'll have the courage to try this one day.

Leanne said...

It is looking beautiful, I do want to make it too. Medallions are tricky, though and I worry about the sticking to the right sizes as well.

Debbie said...

I'm a scant 1/4" sewist too and it has gotten me in trouble a few times, so this is good to know! Though this quilt scares me to death, I am also transfixed by it! Yours is coming along beautifully!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Thanks for the tips - yours looks great. I am just getting started.

Charlotte said...

it looks amazing, and yet there is no amount of money that could inspire me to make one. Luckily you will be giving this one to me, right?
;-)

Faye Nettles said...

Perfection and patients pays off with a beautiful quilt.

Vicki said...

absolutely beautiful! you go girlfriend...

Anonymous said...

It is looking AWESOME! I especially love the reds and texts for those pesky triangles.

If we always got everything right the first time this more-than-a-hobby hobby probably wouldn't be so captivating!

Hilary said...

I'm making one too and I am having trouble with the center medallion. I cant get my points to line up and it's driving me crazy! I might just have to leave them wonky and move on lol

Catherine said...

It looks fabulous!

moira said...

I love that you pp'd the middle. let's talk ;)

Newbie Jen said...

lookin good Jess

Rachaeldaisy said...

I'm so enjoying watching this quilt grow. Those perfectionist ways always pay off in the end.

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans said...

Gorgeous :)

Katy Cameron said...

And that's why I've never tackled this quilt ;o) Still, yours is looking fab!

Di said...

Love, love, love it. That I'd one gorgeous pattern. Di x

Pip said...

Your addiction for this quilt is why I have resisted making it so far, although I do have the book :)
Love your fabric choices and can't wait to see the next border come up on your blog. Interesting about the true 1/4" SA, the scant 1/4" SA is something I always struggle with.

Ella said...

Um...you're totally NOT making me want to tackle the next border.

Adrianne @ On the Windy Side said...

This quilt is looking gorgeous - well done!

Sharon said...

Isn't it a fun one? I wasn't liking the looks of those triangles, either. I drew them out on a long piece of freezer paper and sewed them on it as a foundation.

I just posted my finished top if you want to see it.

Nancy@owensolivia said...

You can do it! Keep it up. Looking good. Sorry to hear it was such a headache. I think unpicking seams has got to be the worst.

Renee said...

It is coming along so nicely! Your triangles turned out great!

cat and vee xoxo said...

thanks for being so honest Jess - it's looking absolutely gorgeous though! My ability to follow a pattern, cut super-accurately and piece super-accurately are making my MM attempt very daunting. I will store your triangle-tips away. Haven't even started yet, but am hoping to at least piece the centre medallion during the school hols - I'm planning on following Danielle's freezer-paper technique. Can't wait to see your next couple rounds of borders.

cat and vee xoxo said...

I just re-read my comment - I should have said my LACK of ability to ... !

Heather D. said...

I don't think I could do it, so I admire your tenacity! I always think I'm a pretty accurate piecer but have a feeling this would kick my butt. Can't wait to see your continued progress!

Rebecca Lynne said...

Chica my book just arrived! I can finally jump into this quilt...agh! But yes, like you I am scared as all get out that it will kick my butt...I'll keep you posted... [btw yours is looking AMAZING]