Stitching Strips

Finished rows

The iron is my friend.  I have been coaxing my uneven blocks to match up with the surrounding blocks.  Kind of frustrating, since I focused on sewing accurate 1/4" seams.  Oh, well.  I have about ten rows strung together and three rows all attached.  It's exciting to see it come together.

The pinning and stitching is time consuming.  Every row I work on requires ripping out one or two seams, in an attempt to get everything lined up.  I guess my seam ripper is my other friend.  It can be discouraging seeing all the points that don't match.  I have ripped out some seams, to pin and sew again, only to end up with the exact same problem that I was trying to fix!  If I can't fix a seam after two attempts, I figure it's meant to be as is.

When I get bummed out about my points, I spread what I've finished out on the floor and literally take a step back.  Suddenly all of the flaws fade as the overall pattern leaps out.  So pretty!

Can you identify the new addition?

Stitching the blocks together requires me watch for markers, not just blindly following the edge of the fabric.  This has necessitated a new item to my sewing machine supplies in the last week.  It's been two years since I started using reading glasses while hand stitching my quilt bindings.  But now I need them even for the sewing machine?  Bah. On the up side, I no longer worry about the machine flinging the occasional broken pin or needle at my face.  And, of course, no more eye strain.  So I guess it's not such a bad thing.