I thought I'd show a couple of pictures that explain my bias strips. My method is pretty simple, I spray starch my fabric quite well prior to cutting the bias strips. After cutting the strips, my go to method is the Clover Bias tape maker. Simple and it keeps my fingers from getting burnt! I slowly pull the tape maker with my left hand and keep the iron nose pressed very close to the tape maker. Slow and steady wins this one. Once the fabric is through the tape maker, I let the iron sit on the bias stem for another minute. Then I leave the bias stem on the ironing board to cool. I will make 3 or 4 pieces before I move the first one.
Neat Sharon! Do you get plenty of stretch from your bias?
ReplyDeleteI was taught not to iron my bias stems in order to preserve the maximum stretchyness, I just finger press and loosly hand baste the bias into thirds, no ironing or burning of fingertips.
Since I started to do back-basting I have not made a bias stem at all. All parts of the applique are done the same way. The circles of the latest block, for example, are two semi-circles overlapped at a non-obvious point. Works for me. Wendy
ReplyDeleteI do mine the same way. It seems to be working very well for me and I think I'm getting better at it. This quilt will give me lots of practice!!
ReplyDeleteLove that idea, now to do it! I am anxious to start this block, I love it and your colors. After all the cherries, I am looking forward to a few larger pieces.
ReplyDeleteJayne
That's how I make my bias, too, but I'm using different fabrics so just do one block at a time.
ReplyDeleteWendy, Yes, back basting is a great method. I find stems are easy to do using that method, I'm just not using it on all the blocks. I should do it more because I'm getting the best results with it. I used 3 methods for block #4. Freezer paper on top, freezer paper basted on the back and back basting. The pieces I b.b. had the best results, so I should use this more often.
ReplyDeleteYou are so organized! I, too, use the bias maker, but I am not so neat with storing my pieces. It is such a good idea though.
ReplyDeleteMimi, I took a celtic applique class and I learned that trick there. It's excellent to keep the vines, I just pull off what I need and keep going.
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