Glue Pinning

I learned a wonderful trick... Glue Pinning! Kathy, a quilter that took a couple of my classes recently taught me a cool trick! Using an inexpensive water based white glue like Elmer's in place of pins. Part of the trick is setting it quickly with an iron. 

99.9% of the time I don't use pins when piecing. I find they distort the pieces. Up until now have always used a stiletto in place of pinning and rely on opposing seam allowances. While working on my Amaretto Cottage blocks with lots of triangles I decided to give Kathy's trick a try and it worked! 

I have to say that I was surprised that it worked so well and I used a dollar store glue, not even Elmer's. Here goes adding two more triangles to the center of the block... 

With the smallest dots of glue carefully added to only the seam allowance of one side, lined up the triangle over the block center, laid down the triangle and snugged it into place...

Next, set the iron on (press, don't iron! :0) lightly with only the weight of the iron, set at a medium heat and no steam... (don't laugh at my weirdly pressed seam allowances, as a longarmer bulky intersections drive me crazy and this block has allot of them :0) Note: not always a good idea if you plan to quilt with a SID.

It only takes a moment to set the glue. Below I am holding up the block and you can see that the glued on triangles stayed in place... 

while I took them over to my machine to stitch a 1/4 inch seam...

It was very nice to only have to pay attention to the seam allowance! The triangle stayed in place, no shifting! Mind you these triangles were easy because they are made with twice cut squares so the long side of these triangles are straight of grain. Below is the block with all four of its corners glue pinned and stitched. Pretty good...

Will try this again with the next set of triangles made with one diagonal cut and the long side of the triangles are on bias. I didn't have time to add the next set and promise that I will let you know if glue pinning works just as well in that situation. Until then...

Enjoy your week, make some time to take a few stitches!

Groetjes, Jo

Getting back to goals

Amazing how fast quilting can get out of control! Starting new projects is so easy, finishing, not so much :0( The pleasure is in the process and it's all part of the process, right!?! :0) Time for a progress review now that it's August already! Wow.

With a good start followed by a stall and a new book full of distractions, time to get back to setting monthly goals. My goals for August...

1) Make progress on a BOM ~ Amaretto Cottage that I am working on with Janie. The layout of the center made with all of the 6 inch blocks, it's a medallion sampler style quilt... 

Center pieced with mitered border added

and our latest block...

Eight different fabrics just in this 10 inch block. 

I have 3 more to make for a total of 4 of this block then on to the next 10 inch block. It's cut out and an easy one, all HSTs. Yea! There are five different 10 inch blocks with 4 of each one for each of the corner units. Janie is just as far with her version made with the original fabrics from the designer, Marianne Elizabeth ~ Classically Home for RJR fabrics.

 2) To quilt my geometric brights quilt made after a Kim Diehl pattern...

I am waiting for a variegated lime green thread I just ordered. Once quilted there will be machine applique added to the borders, something I've been wanting to try... adding applique to a quilt after it's quilted!

3) Get back to this quilt top, Cactus Flower started in April...  

4) More blocks for Vintage Spin from the new book, Adding Layers... which plays into the goal of stash busting...

Notice that my projects have taken a radical turn from 19th century repros! to quite the opposite, some VERY bright brights! Maybe it's because I needed some cheering up. All work and no play has left me grumpy! And it's summer. These projects should do the trick!

Looking back at my goals made in January, I'm actually in pretty good shape with all three goals that I set. The New Year's Day Mystery is a finish, my Tree of Life top is a flimsy and I've made progress on Amaretto Cottage. It's nice to set goals and keep track of them on a blog, it's been a good way to stay focused. 

Stay cool and enjoy your weekend. With another day of triple digits, my plan is to stay indoors, finish clearing out my little sewing room and sew with the cooler humming.  

Jo