I was tired after work today. So tired that I completely forgot that I had scheduled a private dog agility lesson for Rico. I remembered it as I was relaxing on the sofa after a tasty dinner of home made chicken tacos. I’m glad it’s the weekend.
The weather has been wet the last couple days. It was so rainy yesterday that we didn’t get a walk at all. None of us were happy about that. But today, even after my day started with a little snow storm, we were able to get an afternoon walk in and an evening walk as well. My boys are not happy when they have a day of no activity. And neither am I.
After our evening walk I headed to my sewing room. I still need to add the borders to the other two sides of my quarter log cabin quilt. I didn’t feel up to wresting with all that bulk tonight so, instead, I decided to test out a couple of the paper pieced Wensleydale blocks. So I dug out my scrap pile, doing my best to replicate the feel of the blocks I actually want to make for my quilt.
I managed to get two blocks done tonight.
The first one took forever. And it was mostly because the pieces I had cut were too skimpy and I ended up taking way too much time getting them arranged carefully, then unpicking. It all turned out, but took more time than I’d like to spend.
For the second block I cut my pieces more generously and it went together much more quickly. It does generate more waste, but the blocks go together so much easier if your fabric pieces are more generous.
I believe that my time is worth something. So it’s a trade off I’m ok with, especially if I’m using scraps.
If you’ve never done paper piecing, here’s a video on YouTube that will give you an idea of what it is and how it works. It’s not my tutorial. I’ve never made a paper piecing tutorial because there are a good number of them out there that do a fine job explaining it.
There are things I love about paper piecing. First, It allows me to make more complicated blocks than I could make with traditional piecing. Second, it allows me to make blocks with impeccable points. I mean, come on! Look at these gorgeous points!!!
I just love it!
I don’t typically love really intricate piecing. But paper piecing makes it an enjoyable thing for me.
There are things I don’t love about paper piecing. Mostly it’s the paper… removing all that paper.
So much paper to be removed!
Paper piecing patterns will sometimes provide templates for cutting the pieces for your block. I’m having to figure this one out on my own. It’s going to take me a little bit of time to get all the cutting figured out so I can efficiently and accurately cut the pieces for my blocks and so the blocks go together quickly and easily.
I still need to pick up more light and medium indigo batiks before I get too far into this quilt. I’ll do a little shopping this weekend at a fabric store in Washington that has a nice selection of batiks. They also have a lovely selection of Kaffe Fassett Collective fabrics so I’m guessing I won’t get out of there without buying some.
One last look at the first block I made tonight.
I have Rico entered in a sheep herding trial on Sunday up in Olympia. It’s about 2.5 hours from my house and I’m looking forward to seeing how he does. It’s been quite some time since he’s been entered in a trial and his skills have improved exponentially. I’m excited to see how he does under pressure. And me too.
Oh, and this bit of news has me very excited. Next Thursday and Friday I’m going to help my friend Trudy again with her lambing. Some of you will remember that I did this last spring. It was, literally, the best two days of my year! I’m so excited about getting to do this again. And it looks like the weather might cooperate.
You can read all about my lambing adventures last year in this blog post and this blog post.
Have I mentioned I’m glad the weekend is here?
agilejack 
Your paper piecing blocks are wonderful – love the colors! I know they’re destined for a quilt, but if you have any extras, I can just imagine them incorporated into one of your Frankenbags or a zipper pouch! Hope the sheep herding trial goes well on Sunday and hope you find some great fabrics on your shopping side trips. Happy weekend!!!
LikeLike
These are beautiful but I can’t imagine making a bed size quilt with these intricate blocks. Very nice points and a lovely pattern
LikeLike
Kudos to you! I get my placements wrong with paper piecing and have to undo a bit. The waste of fabric gets to me but the points and effect is so pretty. Great job! Love the glowing yellow parts❤️. Ohh, I remember the lambs! You need one 🐑🤗
LikeLike
I love batiks in the way you love KFC so these blocks are heavenly to me. I had to do EPP for my City and Guilds quilting certificate course. Being very spatially challenged it was a nightmare for me but like you, I love the accuracy you get from the process.
Good luck to Rico for the trials and enjoy the lambing. My first job post degree was working on a city farm in Bristol so I got up close and personal with lambs and baby goats and even piglets! Fabulous.
LikeLike
Hooray, you get to help with the lambs 🥰. Does Trudy have new born babies?
Looking forward to your pictures. Cheering for Rico 🤗 he will be awesome! Nice paper piecing- I am not sure I will be able handle the paper, although It does look worth the effort.
Enjoy your action packed weekend.
LikeLike
Sulky came out with a washable “paper”. I was able to print out the FPP pattern on it with my laser printer. I have not started the quilt yet though so I can’t say if it washes out well or not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmm. that’s interesting. Would love to know how it works. Assuming you just leave it in when you make your quilt and then it washes out after the quilt is done.
Anne
LikeLike
Yes, it’s called Paper Solvy Water Soluble Stabilizer. It looks like the old time tracing paper. I bought a pack of 33 sheets directly from Sulky when I bought a quilt kit they offered. Recently I saw the pack on sale in their email. I took a pic but I’m not sure how to attach it here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Although I haven’t done any lately, I have really enjoyed paper piecing in the past. What struck me in her otherwise excellent tutorial, was how she held her rotary cutter. When she allows her wrist to flip over the blade of her cutter she’s aggravating the nerves in her wrist. Having had carpel tunnel surgery, and now dealing with arthritis in both of my thumbs, I’m supremely aware of all those bad habits. I now use only ergonomically designed rotary cutters and keep my wrist and arm in alignment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah… who would have thought we had to worry about sewing injuries?!?!? I caused huge issues with my hip by having my chair set too high. My employer brought an ergonomic expert come in And evaluate my work set up and thy made some really great suggestions that have really helped… and have helped my sewing set up too!
Anne
LikeLike
Always look forward to your next ideas! Someone recently suggested using scribble pad paper like from the dollar store that kids use for drawing. They’re like 9 x 12 pads.
Have fun with the lambs. That looks like so much fun. I remember how excited you were last year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I purchased a ream of 8.5 x 11 inch newsprint paper a few years ago for paper piecing. It goes through the printer nicely and tears away really easily. it’s probably the same paper. I use it all the time and am happy with how it works.
Anne
LikeLike
Love your new blocks! Perfect colors ad those blue fabrics. Can’t wait to see how it progresses!
Lucky you to help with lambing again! It is my dream to one day have some sheep again. We shall see.
Always love your dog tales! They are both such handsome fellows!
Wishing you sunny days to come and Go Rico!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m soooo excited about lambing again! So far the weather is looking good! I have my fingers crossed for some sun and lots of lambs!
Anne
LikeLike
Days with lambs would be pure joy! I love your blocks. You can paper piece without sewing the paper in and then use the pattern over and over. Fold all the sewing lines and use a pin to start and hold fabric #1. Fold the next seam back and sew right along the fold. Iron flat and continue. I watched a tutorial that used a glue stick but I just use flat head pins.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Several people have suggested this method using a freezer paper template. That might be easier than having the template all loose. Might give it a try.
Anne
LikeLike
Love your new blocks! Look into using a slightly different freezer paper method where there is no paper to tear out (or sew through) and each foundation can be used several times. Game changer! Just look up Bryan House Quilts on YouTube….
Best of luck at the trial and happy lambing! So enjoy hearing your adventures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Several people have suggested the freezer paper method. I’ve heard of before but have never tried it. I’ll have to give one a try. I have a huge box of freezer paper on hand.
Anne
LikeLike
Is there a template of your block online…I love it!
LikeLike
I bought these on Amazon. You can find it there by searching for Wensleydale Paper Piecing Templates. You get 60 in a pad.
Anne
LikeLike
I really enjoy your blog. I do paper piecing also so I make templates to use to cut adequate fabric pieces for the areas. A lot of times I pre-cut block pieces and kit them up so I’m ready to sew. I was inspired by the Jen Kingwell quilt you are working on and have ordered the foundation papers to make it too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was thinking it would be a good idea to make little kits for each block. sometimes that cutting and combining fabrics takes a good deal of the time.
I’m definitely going to give the cutting some thought. If I’m not efficient it could be a nightmare!
Anne
LikeLike
Hi! I thoroughly enjoy your blog. I also tried paper piecing this
week, and discovered that there is a “paperless paper piecing method”
using freezer paper. It’s a game changer for not having to unpick those
pieces of paper from the sewn blocks! Plus the freezer paper is reusable
for multiple blocks.
It’s basically the same principle as regular paper piecing.
Trace your pattern onto the freezer paper (not shiny side).
iron you first fabric (backside) to the freezer paper.
3. Fold your first pattern seam line back and add a 1/4 ” seam
allowance; trim off excess fabric (I used my add a 1/4″ ruler to do this
quickly)
4. Keep the freezer paper folded back and line up your 2nd fabric
(right sides together) to the seam allowance line you just cut.
5. Keeping the freezer paper folded back and the fabric pieces aligned
for sewing, stitch right along that folded line using it as a sewing
guide – do not pierce the freezer paper!
press that newly sewn piece onto the freezer paper and repeat.
When done piecing, trim block, peel off and reuse freezer paper.
I found its not quite as accurate as traditional paper piecing, but the
results close and it sure beats peeling off those pesky papers. Plus you
don’t waste a ton of paper in the process.
-Donna
LikeLike
I’ve seen this method before. I should give it a try. thanks for all the detail!
Anne
LikeLike
You can make your own templates for each shape by tracing the shape and adding 1/2″ all around, OR cut exact shape from freezer paper and iron it on a stack of 4 pieces of fabric and using your rotary cutter and ruler cut 1/2″ away from every edge. The freezer paper piece will peel off and can be used several times. This will have less waste than squarish chunks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
this is such a great idea! thanks Wanda! I love the idea of cutting more than one at a time.
I’d like to get everything, or a lot, cut and make little kits for each block then I can just Sid down and sew, sew, sew.
jI only used those big squares because I was pulling from my scrap pile. I’ll be more efficient when I’m cutting from yardage.
Anne
LikeLike
I always love your post and love paper piecing myself. I just happened to see this batik collection at The Quilted Strait in WA listed in their newsletter and immediately thought of you.
It’s called Moody Blues and it’s blue batiks. They have quick shipping.
https://quiltedstrait.com/search?type=everything&q=moody%20blue*&mc_cid=d800069514&mc_eid=ba751edf26
Laura Tawney
Sent from my iPad
>
LikeLike
that’s pretty much the feel I’m going for in this quilt top. And I even have some of those fabrics. I think I’m pretty close to having a collection that looks similar to that. I just need to fill in some medium and light fabrics. I have lots of the darks.
Anne
LikeLike
That is going to be a very fun and beautiful quilt!
Laura
Sent from my iPad
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I’m liking how it’s turning out so far.
Anne
LikeLike
Your blocks are stunning! I like to paper piece also… But I have come to prefer using wax paper. You don’t sew through the paper! The paper folds back on itself, and you sew next to the paper crease where the line would be. So much more pleasant when having to remove the paper! Kisses to Bender and Rico! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard of this method. I should give it a try. the templates are on news print so it’s not as bad as it could be.
Anne
LikeLike
You really should try it! I’ll never go back to sewing through paper! 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anne, I REALLY like how your paper piecing samples turned out! Lovely contrasting fabrics.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m going for that light/dark difference. It will give a nice effect across the quilt top. it will be fun to see how it all comes together. Probably won’t use up much in the way of scraps!
anne
LikeLike
I think your piecing is great. I, for one, love to paper piece. Taking the paper off is very cathartic for me😁. You probably know this, but that quilt is from a Jen Kingwell book called “Quilt Recipes”. I just got it from my quilt shop because there are several quilts that I wanted to do. There are also cooking recipes from Jen’s Mom in the book. It’s worth the price to me. I think that the quilts would look good with Kaffe scraps as you’re doing which is one of the reasons I bought the book. Happy quilting❣️❣️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve seen the book but wasn’t inclined to buy it. Her patterns are not typically my style. But this one really appealed to me. So purchasing the templates was a good way to go for me. I referenced her book in a blog post a few days ago when I shared one of these quilts made by an instagram friend. I’m riffing off her her take on it.
Anne
LikeLike
Oh I just love all the quilts in that book. I figured you knew it was her since you have the paper pattern. I just wasn’t sure if you’d seen the book. I want to make the Daylesford Quilt which has no foundation pieces☹️. That’s why I bought the book. I can’t wait to see you finished quilt😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your blocks. Will you be making them into a quilt?
LikeLike
that’s the plan. I’m still collecting fabric to make it. But it will likely be a throw size quilt eventually.
Anne
LikeLike
Love your paperpieced blocks! When I am doing a block like this with a straight forward section like in the center of yours and I have multiple blocks to do. I willl piece that center section normally then apply it to the paper backing as one piece. I can piece entire blocks so much faster and tearing paper off is faster too. On a “dog” note. I am a Sheltie mom thru and thru I lost one suddenly to respiratory pneumonia the end of Jan. It is never easy as you know. Tuesday we welcomed a 3 yr old and are busy planning to introduce him to agility by we I mean Poppy my 7 1/2 yr old Sheltie and I. We love your exploits with Rico and Bender
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my… those center pieces are so tiny! I can’t imagine piecing them in the traditional way!!!
I’m so sorry for your sudden loss of your sheltie. Good luck with the new youngster!
Anne
LikeLike
Love that indigo batik with the triangles. It looks like fabric I had a bunch of and have used a lot. And, yes! Those corners—magnifico. You might, sometimes, try David Sirota’s “No More Tears” paper piecing technique. [https://www.quiltmavendave.com/]. No tearing of the paper afterwards because you don’t sew the pieces onto paper; you use the pattern as a sewing guide. I took a short class from him, virtually. I liked the outcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that blue with the triangles. it’s a really pretty deep blue.
Thanks for the link. I’ll check it out.
Anne
LikeLike
Your color combinations and fabrics are stunning. You mentioned that you hate to remove the paper bits from the back of your paper pieced blocks. Have you seen Rebecca Bryan’s system of freezer paper piecing? She has offered a great tutorial on her blog and it is a game changer. Check it out, I think her blog is called Bryan House Quilts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Several people have mentioned this method. I’ll check it out. but removing the paper isn’t that bad. I sat down in front of the TV with the three blocks I made last night and got them all cleaned up in no time.
Anne
LikeLike
Anne, I’ve been paper piecing for more years than I can recall.
I enjoy it very much, especially since it’s so accurate. For any newbie,
Carol Doak has a number of user-friendly books. When it’s time to remove the papers, I just find a good tv movie & get the job done. I buy pads of newsprint paper at the dollar store. It’s very inexpensive.
Keep inspiring us. We love to see your work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually sat down in front of the tv with the three blocks I made last night and it seemed very trouble free to remove the papers. I’ll have to remember that!
I bought a ream of newsprint a few years ago. I’ve been slowly using it up for paper piecing projects. it’ works really well.
Anne
LikeLike