Thursday, March 7, 2019

How it goes

This is my new favorite wonky log cabin square ...

And I confess, when we bought the flower-sprigged romper for P's first birthday last spring (yes, we really do call her "P" as well as Parker Mae), I knew it would end up on the cutting room floor.

Anyway, it's been a while since I documented process, so here's where I am at this point in my patchplay evolution.

I start by ironing about a 1/4" edge on two pieces of cloth, then line them up, right sides together ...

and overcast stitch them together with a single strand of floss on a #10 John James big eye quilting needle ...

I know that's overkill, but I love stitching seams this way and I'm in no hurry.

After seaming, I iron the pieces ...

seen here from the back ...

Next I turn under a new edge using a piece of cover stock to hold a straight edge on the pieced section ...

and on the strip of cloth that will adjoin it ...

ending up with strips like so ...

When I want to get wonky, I press some of the edges at random angles ...

which necessitates some trimming after the fact, usually done with coverstock tucked under the seam to protect the pieced square ...

What I especially like about this process is the flat seams that result ...

And I'm fast becoming a fan of cotton cloth patchplay ...

which is a good thing since P doesn't have any linen hand-me-downs ... yet.

18 thoughts on “How it goes”


  1. Mo Crow

    your stitching is so beautiful!
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    • What an adorable little girl! She must bring you and Don so much joy, along with your other beautiful grandchildren. This particular log cabin square is especially engaging. I can feel the memories pooling within it.

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      1. Dana – thank you … yes to the joy of grandkids and so happy you are about to embark on that wonderful journey (and I don’t know if you’re an Anna Quindlen fan, but I am so looking forward to her new book entitled Nanaville)

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      1. Nancy – thank you … we love our P … and tiny stitches do so make me happy (and I believe it was a gift from the universe that I am extremely nearsighted, which helps immensely)

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    • LA – that is so much work – bit like my hammer strokes – nobody realises just how many stitches goes into the work. Go well. B

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      1. Barry – I quite agree with you on the similarity between stitches and hammer strokes … and while the term “work” certainly fits completed pieces, I do love using the term “patchplay” to represent the joy I experience in the process. However, it’s a good thing I’m not in production mode … we’d starve given the long time-frames for my projects … ha!

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    • I love this post Liz – thank you for sharing how you manage those stitches and straight, yet wonky lines. I had no idea. I love the way you stitch them together!! The fabric in this one is bursting with personality – like Miss P herself I imagine. Go well.

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      1. Fiona – I was never properly schooled in quiltmaking, so when I discovered Jude Hill’s Spirit Cloth 101 workshop online, my mind was the proverbial blank slate. Still, as I’ve often said before, “I never follow recipes.” Jude certainly isn’t prescriptive, but early on I found myself riffing on her paperless patching technique. The resulting “patchplay” gives me ample opportunities to stitch and stitch and stitch somemore … all the while recalling fun times with Miss P.

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    • Oh this video of Miss P is so delightful. There is something so joyful when out little ones engage in conversation, Pop Pop’s quiet voice, responding, Parker’s exuberant conversation and her yah! just melts my heart. Videos of our little ones learning to roll over, walk, dance, speak, etc. are the best movie reels to hold in our heads and hearts. Your wonky, colorful, memory filled squares made from Parker’s clothes are happiness in cloth…

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      1. Marti – mobile phones and social media get a bad rap, often well-deserved … but the incredible up-side for me is the increased contact with our kids and grandkids. Whether it’s texting with 15-year-old Logan, FaceTiming with the families, or making (and receiving) videos that capture snippets of real life, I do believe we are all closer as a result.

        And then there is the simple old-time pleasure of stitching patches of cloth together as a tactile memory-holder.

        The best of both worlds …

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      1. Thanks Joy … so glad you found your way here. I think I left a comment on your Second hand sheets blog, but I’m not sure if it “took”

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