While sewing the paper pieced blocks for Beaquilter's exchange, I discovered a way to get the seams to nest on two units making the alignment of the fabrics come out nearly perfect. 

Here is what I did: 

On the paper piecing pattern paper, I re-numbered the sections that will be joined first. By doing this, the seams on one side will be sewn going in an upward direction and the seams on the other side will be sewn in a downward direction. When I pinned the seams at each line intersection, the seams nested because they were laying in opposing directions. This made the points and lines on the block look nearly perfectly matched. 

When sewing two of these joined blocks together, I removed the paper from the stripes on one corner and pressed the two outside seams toward the center. This allowed me to match and nest those seams much easier. I was not able to press the seam of the longer strip toward the center because it created just too much bulk. 

Here is the 7th block I have finished for the block exchange:

An Internet Tip on Using the Ladder Stitch to Close Seams

While exploring some websites and blogs, I found a tutorial on Melly and Me that showed how to sew a seam closed on a stuffed animal. This could be used anywhere we have an opening from turning 2 sewn fabrics right sides out. I found the way she started the stitching with no tied knot to be very nifty. I am going to use non-tie knotting technique when sewing seams. 

Thanks for stopping and have fun sewing.

One Test Block Done

I finished the paper piecing test block.  I have a few things to tweak on how I construct the blocks to help with the pinning of the intersections so they aren't off as much as I see in this one. But here is my test block put together. I am happy that the size measures 12-1/2" x 12-1/2"!

MUG RUG from LEFTOVERS:

With the leftover pieces that I cut off the paper piecing I placed them on a piece of batting with the idea that I would do "inchies" as described by Angie Padilla on her blog HERE. 

After laying the pieces in a hodge-podge, I placed a piece of very light blue wedding tulle over the pieces on the batting, pinned and took it to my sewing machine. I used a metallic thread with a white/hollographic look to stitch all over the tulle to keep all the pieces in. This is when I decided to make a mug rug. I trimmed the sewn piece into a wedge form. Spray basted the back and added some leftover fabrics for a backing. I sewed some straight lines vertically to hold all the layers together.  Finally binding was added. I will post tomorrow how I did this--it was so easy!

Save your scraps for your own mug rug!

Paper Piecing for Block Exchange

I signed up to participate in a paper piecing block exchange which Beaquilter posted a few weeks back. It is now closed but she has a good tutorial on the paper piecing of this block. 

Those of us who chose to participate told of our color choices for blocks. I chose bright colors-pink, turquoise, lime, yellow and we are all using the same Kona white for the white section.

I thought I would work on my own blocks to begin with to make sure my machine was working well and to see that the pattern made the correct size block. So far I have 1/4 of my block made.

I am going to work on this block to complete before it gets too late.