Saturday 9 March 2019

I don't like rotary cutting but I do like alcohol inks

 I have completed the 'Ohio Star' block from the pattern for my first ever patchwork quilt.  I discovered several things from this experience:
1.   I do not like using a rotary cutter.  My ruler kept slipping on the fabric and so I knew that as my cutting was not accurate in the slightest, there was not a hope of my seams lining up, and so it proved to be.
2.   The navy blue contrast material had a surprising amount of stretch in it, which was not helpful when I needed to cut squares diagonally to make half square triangles.
3.   The pattern, although it says it is suitable for a beginner, in my view is a little more challenging than that as it requires quite a bit of rotary cutting (see point 1).
4.    I shall stick to using pre-cuts or jelly rolls for future projects.  (This will remove the issue of point 1).
5.   I shall finish this project as it is a good learning experience, but it will not be perfect in any way.  However, I will still be proud because I made it!
 In other more positive news, I have been enjoying becoming re-acquainted with alcohol inks.  I originally bought them when I was using polymer clay regularly, but since I got sidetracked into other crafts, they had been somewhat forgotten.  I got some Yupo paper (a synthetic paper which the inks sit on the surface of) and some Lift ink, and off I went.  It was exciting to see what the colours would do.  I added some metallics into the mix as well.  I loved the vibrancy of the colours.  (Being alcohol, there are a few safety issues to be aware of - well ventilated room, wear gloves, don't breathe in the fumes and never put alcohol ink or blending solution in a mister to spray - it's flammable and there is resin in the solutions which could get into your lungs). However, all the precautions are more than worth it for the great results (in my opinion).
 These closeups show the effect of the Lift ink, which is applied to a rubber stamp and stamped onto the alcohol ink, holding it on the ink for a few seconds.  The ink lifts off the colour. You can then use the rubber stamp to print onto normal card, which transfers the image with those lovely colours.
The bleaching effect is more noticeable with darker or more intense colours.  I will be doing much more with my alcohol inks now and using what I create in cards and mixed media projects.

10 comments:

  1. I can't comment on the inks other than to say they are quite beautiful and I would happily have the patterns made into yards and yards of fabric!

    But patchwork, I know a little about that 😀
    Sorry you've had rotary cutting problems. It's a skill which, if not learnt properly, is damn difficult. I know it took me years to perfect safe working methods which worked for me. I fear you are not near enough for me to help . . . because without seeing what you are doing it would be difficult to offer the right advice. It's a skill best demonstrated rather than described.

    But don't give up yet, it really is the fastest and most accurate way to cut once you've mastered the technique.

    Was all of your fabric 100% cotton? Whilst it is quite possible to do patchwork with just about any material, learning on anything other than cotton just makes life more difficult.

    Ohio star is absolutely NOT a pattern for a complete novice. It's not hugely complicated, but does benefit from a bit of background knowledge.

    Saying all that, you look like you have done a damn fine job, you haven't chopped the points off, your block still have a clearly visible quarter inch seam allowance, and lays pretty flat. You should be extremely pleased with yourself.

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  2. Thanks, Jayne. Obviously I need to watch some youtube tutorials on rotary cutting. All the flowery fabric is 100% cotton and I thought the navy blue was too, but it has been in my stash for ages, so who knows? Thank you for your encouraging words. This is definitely a huge learning curve for me! I think the rest of the quilt is squares and triangles, so hopefully I will get on a bit better. I will post my progress...
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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  3. Rotary cutting can be such a challenge, but I think you have made a wonderful job of your patchwork. What are you going to make it into, a mini quilt or cushion perhaps. Love the colours of your inked papers xcx

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    1. Thanks, Chrissie. It is going to be a lap quilt (the pattern says 32 x 32 inches, but goodness only knows what mine will actually be!) I do like my quarter of an inch sewing machine foot though, which makes things so much easier.
      More inked papers to come, with stamping on top too...
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. Ellie, there is, as you know, a lot of rubbish on YouTube so if you don't mind, I'm going to have a look around and see if I can find you a couple of decent videos.

    In the meantime, if you don't know of Bonnie Hunter, have a read of this:
    http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/02/making-cut.html

    She's a lovely woman, met her 20 years ago and her enthusiasm and generosity hasn't faded in all that time. there are worse ways to spend a wet Saturday afternoon than browsing around her site.

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    1. Thanks, Jayne. I will go and have a look. I need all the help I can get I think!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  5. Oh gads, I shouldn't have offered to look on YouTube. There is so much rubbish . . . and it might be bedtime before I find a video that shows what I am looking for. What I will say if you don't already know, is that you can take off a finger with a rotary cutter, they are lethal if not respected. So make safety a priority.

    BUT, there is a nice channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT67LfH4ibYL3EuxDuutZDA presented by the daughter of a really well known and lovely quilter (Marianne Fons) which has loads of stuff for new quilters.
    You could do worse than spend an hour there 😀

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    1. Thanks again, Jayne. You are so kind to find these for me. Safety is certainly a priority as I managed to cut my finger without really realising how I did it! (not badly, but enough to make me respect the cutter). I will also head on over and have a look here too.
      Many thanks again
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  6. A few tips if you'd like them?
    1. You can get ruler slip grip things. Little stickers for the bottom of your acrylic ruler that stop it slipping
    2. Don't cut triangles to make HST. Google the 2 at a time method. This prevents you having to work on the bias. There are millions of tutorials out there so i won't attempt to explain typing on my phone!
    3. Precuts are often not quite square or not quite the right size, so beware.

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    1. Thanks, Wendy. It's a real minefield out there but any advice from experienced patchworkers is always welcome! I think my first mistake was attempting this particular pattern as a novice. However, I am looking at it as a learning experience...
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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