Fugly FQ Freebies and Friday Finishes

As I was rummaging through my stash (heh - I love being able to say that) I thought it was time to drag out my fuglies for Lucy's link up party. These babies are free to a good home - and it's not this place. They were purchased about a year ago at my LQS in an effort to keep Princess quiet (I want them Mummy, I want them) while I finished buying me fabric. 

Three lonely fat quarters, looking for a home

Do you want them?  Well let me know if you do. My decision making process for giving them away is up in the air. Maybe the most needy?  Maybe someone who truly loves them? If there is more than one  worthy recipient perhaps the Princess random number generator could be called upon. To be honest I'm not sure if they'll be anyone's cup of tea. Leave me a comment and let me know. 

In between looking for ABC quilt inspiration (let me know if you're in for the quilt-along - I'll put the "getting started" post up next week) I have been trying to finish my "stick no bills" poster using Kristy's Just My Type paper piecing pattern. The good news is that I know how to paper piece now, thanks to this YouTube tutorial.  The first letter took me two whole hours. It was "I". *sigh*  Anyway then I got into the swing of it and they take me about 40 minutes now - and that's the tricky ones. I've kinda learned to love it too.  Like I need another obsession. 

I'm not quite finished, but here's my current wishful thinking. I mentioned this to my bank manager, who thought I was hilarious. *sarcasm*

Yeah, I know, that L doesn't line up very well.

Kristy gave me some great tips (she's super dooper helpful) and I learned a few things of my own. So, if you're a foundation piecing virgin, this is what I recommend:

- watch the tutorial

- finger press for small pieces, but iron the big ones.  If you iron all of them, it takes forever and I found with little bits it didn't make much difference. 

- just trim your seam allowances with a pair of scissors sitting at your machine - there is a technique in the tutorial which is good for large piecing but a waste of time for little bits - and it takes forever getting up and down all the time. 

- once you've pieced each component (A, B, or C) baste them together with your largest machine stitch to check they're lined up. This was Kristy's best bit of advice - I must of re-sewed some of them four or five times, and it was really easy to unpick. Once they're lined up, sew with your tiny stitches.

Give it a go - it's a bit frustrating at first, but then really fun.

Linking up to the Friday linky parties.  Howdy visitors!