Asterisks are Fun!

It's always interesting to teach a class in free piecing techniques. The students want to know exactly how big to cut something. If I say, cut a square of background fabric about 4-1/2", that's what I get . EXACTLY 4-1/2" squares. If I say, sew a 2-1/2" wide strip to one side, they ask how big? (4-1/2"). If I say, now cut it crosswise into 1" wide strips, they say, "I have an extra piece left over," and hold up that last 1/2" piece. Then they frown when I tell them they can throw it out

Huh? They say, that's wasteful. How much fabric is it? I ask. Isn't it better to have extra than to have to do it over again?

Um, yeah, actually...

The first hour is generally just getting them to get used to "cut a piece and sew it to something else." It's getting them to press "to minimize bulk" instead of consistently pressing to the dark fabric. It's getting them used to something that isn't quite perfect, and adapting on the fly.

After that first hour, they "get it" and start to have fun.

They figure it out, see the possibilities, and understand how they can use it for other things.

It was a fun day.