Since this was my first real foray into quilting, I wanted to do something simple. Ninety-degree angles are about as easy as it gets, if you can cut them square. Doing a more complex design as a first project is a way to set yourself up for failure. Being someone who rather enjoys woodworking lay out is right up my alley. Measuring projects to a sixteenth, making jigs to hold your work piece and turning rough cut lumber into square and parallel stock is where it all starts.
I hoped to achieve a very well put together quilt square. By that I mean nice tight lines, equal spacing and something that will be somewhat durable. I would like for someone to look at my piece and not assume that it was my first time putting something like this together. Sure one of the lines is about an eighth of an inch off, but for my first attempt at this it was rather well done. This went a lot better then when I tried to cut my first dove tail joints in wood.
As with any type of art/ craft that is hand assembled it just takes time, patients, and repetition. Using pins to help keep my pieces where I wanted them as I was sowing some of the longer pieces together was a great help. Too bad I learned that lesson after sowing two rows together. Like most things in life you have to fail or struggle to learn. I have a very inquisitive mind and love to know how it’s done and how it works. I’ve always appreciated craftsmanship and the process of art. The more you do it and the more you talk to people about it usually the better you will become.