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Pieced Curves So Simple in Russian

My book Pieced Curves So Simple has been published in Russian.

If you are interested in scheduling a workshop or class or wish to contact me for any other reason please email me:

Dale Fleming
Walnut Creek, CA
dalefleming@dalefleming.com

I love quilting. The spectrum of texture, drape, and color of fabric allow limitless creativity in any project from a complex artistic statement to a simple child's lovey. Equally important to me is the sense of community and generosity that happens when women come together to share skills while quilting.

Whether the quilter is a novice or is accomplished, traditional or contemporary, it doesn't matter. Using the methods I have developed people can expand their skills as they explore many new possibilities. My goal is not to have students create quilts just like mine, but instead, to give people the tools that allow them to simplify difficult tasks and create what is in their hearts.

I have developed several methods that making machine piecing easier. The first method is "Unpaper Piecing". Unpaper piecing is a cross between paper piecing and foundation piecing. Just about anyone can draw a pattern, as in paper piecing, but with my method you don't have to remove a paper backing, as in foundation piecing. The quilt, Corporate Attire, was done entirely using this method. This quilt was featured in Quilt National.

Another Method that I use is Pinless Piecing. Pinless Piecing is a method that uses fabric safe, water-soluble glue instead of pins to hold fabric in place when piecing. This technique is so versatile that even a first time quilter can easily make a perfect machine pieced circle. Advanced quilters also benefit since they can assemble a complex design in hours instead of days. The quilt, Charles Was Having Tea When A Luau Happened, was constructed in this manner. This quilt was featured at Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara, Ca.

What I usually do, is mix many techniques together. I use whatever machine piecing methods I think will make the construction easiest. The quilt, Hot Flash, uses both methods described above plus several others. It won Best of Show at, Best of The Valley Quilt Show in Tulare, Ca.

Although my degree from UC Davis is in food science, I always preferred my classes in art and color. I continued to take classes at UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and have studied under Professor Laverne Edwards from the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland.

ERRORS IN THE BOOK!

Page 39
Photo labeled Step 2.
The callouts on the photo are incorrect. If you seam rip where the callouts on the photo indicate, the technique will not work.

At the bottom of the photograph it should say; “Leave attached and open seams”. If you look closely you can see the fluorescent orange seam that has been removed two inches back into the circle.

The two “Open seams” at the top of the circle in the photo should not be there. Please cross them out.

Page 58

Addition #5:
5. Clip convex curves, steam iron, and sew the seam . .

Page 59

Replacement for #9 and the “Tip”:

9. Clip the convex curves, steam iron and sew the seam. As you sew, manipulate the fringe of the convex curves so it will splay out like a fan. Remember, only pull on the two adjacent fabrics or the fringe. If you have added enough glue they will stay attached. Trim seams to 1/4” and iron the seam in the direction you prefer. Use the fringe flipping method (page 60) if you are using an open toed foot.

WHERE DO I SEW?
To get a better idea of where one thread from the crease is, do the following exercise. Sew two pieces of fabric together. Gently finger press the seam to one side. One side should have three layers of fabric, the other side one. Look at where the stitches are. The stitches will be snugged right up against the crease. That is how your own stitching should be sewn.

WHY DOES THE FABRIC NOT POP OFF THE PATTERN?
Too much glue is used on the first tack. Tack the fringe down with the lightest amount of glue. The quantity is like the touch of a feather, it does not solidly cover the paper pattern. It is spotty, only enough to tack.

THE TWO FABRICS DO NOT STAY GLUED TOGETHER.
There can be several reasons the fabrics don’t stay attached to each other:

1. The second glue application has to be very heavy. You should see a slick sheen of glue, 1/2” wide, all the way over the fabric edge. There should be no seam allowance without glue.
2. The glue dried before the second fabric was pressed into the glue and joined with an iron.
3. The wrong glue was used. Some of the generic glues do not adhere. Removable glue never works for this step.

Where do I get a Circle Cutter?
The circle cutter is a Fiskar’s circle cutter. It is used for scrapbooking and can be found in craft stores or online at Amazon.com. The price varies from $14 to $20. The cutter is adjustable and cut circles from 1” to 8”. The cutter works best on two fused layers of paper. Some practice is needed to keep the pressure consistent while cutting

I can't find an AVERY GLUE STIC.
For a good bond in Pinless Piecing the glue in the glue stick should be as firm as a tube of lipstick with good adhesive qualities. Brands other than AVERY that work well are UHU and SCOTCH. Fabric Glue sticks
work but often are mushy and therefore quite messy. Some generic brands of glue work well but many are too soft and more importantly, do not have good adhesive qualities and so the  fabric units fall apart when you sew them.

MORE ABOUT REMOVABLE GLUE
People either love it or hate it.  Learn to use the regular glue correctly before you try the removable glue.

The people who like it are students who have difficulties cutting patterns. Perhaps they have carpal tunnel syndrome or other conditions that cause weakness or pain.

I like it because I can use a circle pattern many times before it gets too goopy with glue to allow the pattern to pop off easily

It does have drawbacks as noted in the book.

What Sewing Machine do you use?
I use a Pfaff Performance 2056. I love this machine. The needle-positioning feature is 9mm (3/8”) wide with excellent feed dog distribution. I get straight, consistent stitches with neither slipping nor sticking. The built in walking foot allows me to sew silk and canvas together with no slippage. It also has the toe tap needle feature that allows me to put the needle up or down with just a tap. There are many excellent machines on the market but I am a confirmed Pfaffer.

How can I order your book?
Please purchase my book through C&T Publishing.

Pieced Curves So Simple
The 6-minute Circle and other Time saving Delights.

Stitch circles and curves- the fast, accurate easy way. Dale’s fast, easy, pinless technique really works for machine-sewing curves and circles. Think like a designer- Dale demystifies color, balance, unity and more. Design-as-you-go techniques bring out your creativity. Discover a variety of easy ways to make your own patterns.

Pieced Curves So Simple is published by C&T Publishing. Click here to purchase my book direct from C&T. Price is $24.95.

In each new quilt I make, I try to build on the techniques, colors, and designs I have used in previous quilts. As I start a new quilt I am always excited by a new exploration of design, color, perhaps a new and easier technique, and certainly by the chance to surround myself with a new pile of fabric. These are some of my quilts. Click on the quilt for a closer view

Chorus Line

 

Limnology

 

Koi Pond

 

Flip Circles

 

Dancing People

 

Just Circles

 

Four Patch, Nine Patch

Hidden Circles

 

Circus Play 2

 

Sailing Around

Nic's Leapfrog

Darwinian Blocks

Tahoe Blue Autumn

Around Down Under

Identity Crisis

Claire in a Field of Lupines (started in a Ruth McDowell Workshop)