Friday 24 April 2009

Palm blocks completed

I've completed the 16 adapted palm blocks:
But only two are ready to sew together, because removing the foundations takes forever!
I wish there was an easier way to remove the papers - any tips???

11 comments:

Zonnah said...

This is going to be beautiful!

Teodo said...

I've no words, your blog is fantastic!
And the cake for the first birthday is a great idea.
ciao ciao

Beena said...

Palm blocks are one of my favorites. This is coming along beautifully.

Are you creasing your paper as you go? I probably sound like an idiot for suggesting what I'm sure you must already be doing. But I know the more I crease as I go, the easier it is later. Some people use tweezers to help, too!

Little White Dove said...

Looking good! Can't wait to see the finished quilt. Good luck with the foundation papers - must be s frustratingly slow process will all those points!

Kelly said...

I'm not sure how to remove the paper but it does look beautiful :)

Sarcastic Quilter said...

I love paper-piecing. As I go, I end up with creases all over my paper so that tearing it helps.

Hmm, some other thoughts if yyu haven't already tried them: What kind of paper are you using? The lighter the better.

Set your seams by pressing the pieces open if at all possible. for me, I find it seems they stay put a little more.

Use the blunt end of your seam ripper & rub along the paper/seam line. It helps open the holes your needle punched.

Work from the outside in all the way around your block (unless it's clear your block progresses in one direction like the NY beauties progress from one corner around to another.) It keeps it pliable so you can work the stitched seams more gently as you get toward the center.

Tear all you can comfortably with your hand then take very sharp tweezers & pluck out particularly difficult itty bitty pieces.

Have a glass of wine, bottle of beer, cup of tea, and watch your favorite tv show while you do it.

Best of luck, this is looking beautiful so far!

Leah said...

What precision! Soluble paper? I know you can get soluble embroidery stabiliser....

thehummingcat said...

Lookin Good!
What brand paper are you using? I have Carol Oakes ready printed on but haven't sewn on it yet.
With my Foundation Roll, I find tweezers help to get all the tiny bits out.
But I like the idea of soluble!

Alinta said...

Oh Wow!! Love this, how gorgeous. What a beautiful quilt it will be. Thanks for your nice comments, it was a pain to quilt, but i got a new machine not too long ago so at least i have the automatic button instead of a foot. My arms were so sore though once i finished!!

Quilt+Bitch said...

Oooo la la, I love. It's beautiful. I can't wait to see the final result!

Jenn4653 said...

I realize I'm seven years behind on this post but I just made a quilt with a pattern much like this and folded back the paper to sew. Reused the same sheet of paper many times. It's easy on simple lines like this.