Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Farmer's Wife 1930's: April, No.6


Farmer's Wife 1930's: April, No.6


This block was a bit of a trial. I'm still getting back into the swing of working small, and realizing I need to be consistent. I'm used to piecing with the mind set of "work a little big, and cut down or trim when done." These blocks do not work that way. They are precise, and will teach you to be that way if you want them to come out right. I'll show you how that works.




One portion of the block was a tough nut to figure out so I paper pieced those 4 identical pieces. The rest I cut with an accurate ruler. 


I have a stack of plastic trays from IKEA, and I find they are super handy for laying out small pieces. They nest, and can keep blocks from going astray.



I use a bit of electrical tape on my sewing machine bed as a seam guide. I was being too frugal with my 1/4" seam, and this block section came out too big. That may seem inconsequential, but it was a lot for this small block. I trimmed, but not to the exact size I should have. I was still thinking "wiggle room" to trim at the end.



Block done, pressed, and weighted under the tray to make it very flat as it cooled.



If you look at it critically, the middle and bottom section ware done last. By that time I had made sure I was sewing exact 1/4" seams. The top section is slightly too big, but I decided to call it a day. I trimmed it about 1/16" on all sides, and figured lesson learned. No one besides me would ever see that once it was quilted, and no use sucking the joy out of the day. 



No. 7 is entirely paper pieced. Oh, Joy! Thankfully I love paper piecing now. (wink, wink)

Farmer's Wife 1930's Blocks

Farmer's Wife 1930s: Anne, No. 5 10/10/20



Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew.


4 comments:

Rebecca Grace said...

Your block is lovely, Julie! I was working on Farmer's Wife blocks a couple years ago, and had to set them aside to address PWDs (Projects With Deadlines). You're going to end up inspiring me to make another one of those fiesty little FW blocks, aren't you?!

Linda Swanekamp said...

Love seeing your work, your process, but the blocks are beyond my patience level. Great blocks and pressing.

audrey said...

Your block is wonderful looking. It's probably good to have a project occasionally that calls for more accuracy. I definitely get out of the practice myself, way too easily!

Anonymous said...

I love that you are forging on with the paper piecing that you love. (wink, wink) Keep it up! You can do it! We'll cheer you on to the finish line. I think you will really love that quilt when it is all done.