Project Baby Quilt Part 2: Group, Press, Cut, Regroup Play

Group-press-cut-regroup

Today began the process grouping fabrics into a color palette. I divided the color into 3 groups. Green , pink & yellow. 

Pressed each fabric piece by color group, and cut 2 strips each -measuring 2.5 in width from each fabric 

A total of 18 strips when completed. 

   Green Strips

The tips below were helpful to keep in mind as I ironed today and to cut, sew & pressed the sewn seams.

Press each seam: Often reminded to press seams as sewn . And even more important when piecing a quilt!  I lightly "press" set each seam. This manner achieved by pressing & for best results and not necessarily as what is referred to as "ironing. 

Press technique explained:  http://sewmamasew.com/blog

View this video for more pressing tips :

More tips :
I also found helpful : pressing all seams in same direction. When sewn smoother and easier glide when machine sewn. And to keep in mind, sew seams moving towards you for freer seams when sewing.

Measure twice - cut once: Once pressing each fabric I used my cutting mat & ruler with the rotary cutter. There is no other way when cutting quilt strips, other than using a rotary cutter and both the ruler and cutting mat!

Helpful tips with rotary cutting:

Rotary cutter tutorial from Purlbee 

 

My own helpful tip when cutting strips: Place the fabric with the fold away from one for a better cut. With the the selvage nearest to me and the fold away I found my cuts to be much cleaner. 

When using the rotary cutter instructed start is cuts running away from one self & by hold the rotary in a upper most comfortable angle for best cuts. 90 degree fashion.

Plaids take a little extra planning with sewing. Yet can easy to cut being much of the time a line can be followed from the plaid patten  to cut with. I had to begin my cuts with this plaid along with some extra thought  when figuring at  best with the outcome placement of the plaid pattern. As you can see the entire plaid block pattern is wider than my planned  2.5 width cuts. I decided to use the dark pink line as my first edge and with the end to cut at the point with the dark green area line. That placed the next piece offset a little however thought that would likely provide some characteristic as I pieced the quilt. However if not I shall replace it and cut another using the pink line. From the first cut as to what remained with the plaid pattern to cut  next, I the  characteristic with the dark pink line  nearer to the center came to be. And think that certainly will add some character as the pieces are sewn.



When cutting fabrics
such as plaids, stripes or checks. I find better results when trimming those uneven cuts from the bolt. The Yellow Gingham in this picture is a prime example of this. I trimmed the uneven edges when cut off the bolt so that I my own cuts would begin with a cleaner and straight edge to cut so the layouts would conform as I begin to later piece the strips together.

 Measure and cuts continue among
 with  the Pink Group

The cutting process took me about an hour since I  would pressed one group at a time and then cut it in the color groups. I preferred this method and routine with wanting  to keep my focuses on the grouping colors as I began to develop this quilt.

Once done ready to play with the fabric strips!

Step B -Play time

 
Pictured below a few of my moments with playful placements. 

I continuing to play around with those strips to find the right layout.
I have begun to sew 2 strips together pairing strips,
which when sewn together, leaves me now with 9 strips to play around with
 for the next sewn grouping.

A true fluttering pastel group here!

Do you see what's happening. Butterflies grouping in all colors !

Strips at random play

 Move around and play some more

Ahh... I think I am beginning to see a pattern taking formation....

And as I continue to play ....

and then onto sewing those pieces into one.


Next- Part 3: Step 3 Cloth Development