Playing with Facets

Thanks you to everyone who left a kind comment after last weeks post. It was a hard week, but the comments left by a group of people who know nothing about me, only that I was hurting, helped.

I did try to do a little sewing this week and thought I would try something a little different. I recently purchased the Sizzix  Facets die by Virginia Findlay Wolfe. I don't really have a plan for this yet, but thought I would do a couple of test blocks to see if it goes together easy.

The blocks did go together pretty quickly and matched up perfectly. Just a couple of things to know if you decide to try this block using this die- the front of the package says the block measures 7 5/8", but mine only turned out to be a 6 1/2" unfinished block. I know I don't always have a perfect 1/4" but surely I am not that far off! I think someone did the math for the block as though all the pieced blocks were the same size as the solid block in the middle, and they are not. No worries though! That's why we do a test block. :)

The only other thing to note about this die that was not great is that you are going to end up with extras a lot of extras pieces if you just layer some fabric without precutting, but not enough to make a whole other block. I know the precutting is supposed to cut down on waste, but if I have to precut, I might as well do ALL the cutting. I would love to know what others think about using die cutters for their quilting projects.

I don't plan to do another crazy scrappy quilt with these blocks just because I don't want everything to start looking the same. I think I may do a scrappy 2-3 color quilt using this die once I finish the scrappy quilt I am plugging along on.

Since my current scrap quilt also uses 6 1/2" blocks I wondered what it would look like if I threw these facet blocks in. Would it even be noticeable? Not really. I think I will leave them for now. At least this way I don't feel like I just started another project and I don't feel obligated to make any more of them immediately. And the best part is that I am a few blocks closer to being finished with this quilt. Win! :)

I also spent some time on the computer this week using an older quilt design program I have called QuiltPro. I am not even sure if they still make it.
I made up some diamond paper piecing patterns to try and they turned out great! I was so happy the diamonds even ended up with the corners cut so that the pieces match together perfectly!

I used a basting stitch just to see if it would go together correctly  (because honestly I though it looked wonky), but amazingly it turned out just like it was supposed to. It's so nice when things turn out the way we want them to.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope everyone has a safe week.