After my poor results from traditional piecing, using templates, I changed my process with this block.
I printed the templates on freezer paper, and then cut the paper with no seam allowance. I pressed the papers to the fabric, and then cut out, leaving a narrow seam allowance.
Using a washable glue stick, and two tiny straight screwdrivers, I folded all interior seams to the paper, glueing them down.
Then I used Invisifil thread to sew all the pieces together, using a tiny whip stitch.
I dropped the block in warm water to loosen/remove the glue, pulled out the papers, and let it air dry. It only took a little work with the iron to return the seam allowances to their “open” position, and produce a block that is nearly perfect in shape.
Successes:
- Tiny screw drivers are a lot less expensive than the commercially-available Appliquick tools.
- I left the exterior sides of pieces oversize, to trim down after sewing.
- By cutting “on grain”, most curves were on the bias, and they were reasonably easy to fold down to glue.
Challenges:
- The washable glue stick from my craft table is large, so application of glue was rather messy.
- My Invisifil thread is so “silky” that it keeps pulling out of the needle.
Here’s the quilt to date:
Terry Whitmell, PhD 