WARNING Curves Ahead

My aunt Patsy, in an attempt to convince me that sewing curves really wasn't THAT hard, came up with a hands-on tutorial for me several months back.  Mind you, we're talking about a woman who chose curved piecing for her very first quilt.  If we weren't related, I just might hate her.  Anyway, she'd sewn up an example block and left me the pre-cut pieces for a second block with instructions to 'just go with it...it's easy'.  Says you! 

I sat down several times with every intention of ending with a finished block, but it was a no-go.  Apparently, today was my day.  Perhaps this is my reward for making it through the Co Defs' weekend friends extravaganza.

Patsy's block is the larger one on the left.

Now, I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance.  Her's was more like an anemic 1/8 inch, so of course, her's turned out larger.  Next time, I too, shall make a go of the Kate Moss seam allowance.  But take a look at my curves, y'all!  They are so smooth and fine...wish I could say the same of my thighs.  Sigh.

Here's a close-up...of my block, not my thighs...

Smooth, huh?  What Patsy neglected to tell me is that curved piecing involves narrowing your eyes to pencil-line thin slits, scrunching your face into all sorts of wrinkle-inducing expressions and generally cussing like a sailor.  I haven't cussed that much since the last time I changed the oil in my car.  All in my head, of course, since my sewing room's in a corner of the living room and there were youngsters present.  And I think I used an entire bottle of Mary Ellen's Best Press to press those seams into submission.  All in all, not bad for a first effort.

Will I do it again?  Well, if you'd asked me earlier I would've said 'oh, hell to the no!' but since I've had that glass of wine, I could be convinced to go for round two.  We shall see.

Happy quilting y'all!