Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Stitching the zigzags

I have finished stitching the first zigzag borders on LE and am really pleased with how it turned out.



Fortunately, by doing my test sample first, I was able to make sure I had all the seam allowances in the right direction before I started stitching. I really think that was key in making the process work for me. Here is how I did the stitching but please be aware that I am Left Handed so I am stitching in the opposite direction of most people.

This first photo is going into a valley. You can see that the seam allowance is pressed towards the lighter diamond here. It should always point towards the diamond that moves up as you come out of the valley.






From here I would take a few more stitches and then loosen the stitches in that seam so the dark fabric can be turned under.



Now stitch right to the seam and I take an extra tiny stitch to make sure the stitching of the seam holds. Then start turning the seam allowance of the light diamond.



And start stitching.



Stitch to the point. You can see that the seam allowance on both sides of the light diamond point towards it. I found this was also better for stitching the point. Stitch right to the point making sure that you take very tiny stitches as you approach the point. This makes sure that the seam allowance does not push through when turning the point.



I also take a tiny extra stitch before tucking under the seam allowance at the tip.



Oops didn't get this close enough but I am turning the point here using the tip of the needle.



And taking a stitch on a newly turned point. You can see in the photos that I use the tip of my thumb to hold everything in place and use the needle to turn the edges under to my drawn line. I try to turn the edge so the line is then invisible but use a Frixion pen to mark the line so that if any marks remain they do iron right out. And here is a close up of the finished border.



And one of those tricky six petaled flowers. But I have no hints for making those points come together. I just needleturned them in place adjusting position if necessary as I went.

I am now looking forward to part 3!

19 comments:

Oops-Lah said...

Wow, amazing! It is truly going to be a master piece!

Carrie P. said...

At first I didn't think that was appliqued. I thought you pieced that round. Looks great! Good that you showed how you did it too.

Missie of Traditional Primitives said...

Looks awesome!! Love your colors for this quilt!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

so nice that you are done with part 2 and it looks great. I have been so busy with a multitude of quilts in progress that I am not there yet. I doubt I will be done with part 2 when part 3 comes out.

Elaine said...

looks wonderful! I am still prepping mine :)

Quayceetatter said...

Thank you for sharing your wonderful Tutorials!!! The center of your quilt top is beautiful.

Carin said...

WOW ... that is SO beautiful !!!!

Rachaeldaisy said...

Thank you for so clearly explaining this step by step. It's all looking so beautiful!!

Cardygirl said...

Looking fabulous Heather!

Saskia said...

Great tutorial! And I love your LE! Its beautiful.

Janet said...

Eeek, lovely, lovely so far Heather.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

I'm really enjoying this LE

Marijke said...

Great tutorial beautiful zigzag and petals!
groetjes van Marijke

Anonymous said...

Heather you are amazing. I am still working on my mariners compass. Thanks for sharing the borders. Will be coming back to this when I get there. Have a great day Marie (mlismore@optusnet.com.au)

Every Stitch said...

Lovely work and thanks so much for the photos of your progress!That border is amazing - so three dimensional in the two tones!
Hilda

Barb said...

That is amazing....

Sandra White said...

Hi Heather. Beautiful work.

Sandy White.

Featheronawire Sally Bramald said...

Lovely, lovely work and tutorial. How did you take those photos with both hands on the fabric? ave you got a camera pixie?

Accroquilt said...

I think I will adopt you as my personnal appliquié coach. I'm not a usual hand stitching but I try to learn from people like you. Your tutorial helps me a lot. I'll follow you for the next steps. Hugs from Quebec!