What's Behind the Chicken?

Julie and I hear this all the time. The idea that "free-piecing" is a synonym for "sloppy workmanship." Folks who don't know any better say they would never do free-piecing because they think it means you sew things any which way, instead of the "right" way.

I hasten to correct all my students that free-piecing does NOT mean sloppy workmanship. Sewing quarter-inch seams, pressing the pieces neatly, trimming threads, making the flimsy lie FLAT, are all the kind of rules that SHOULD be followed. It's the design rules that can be broken.

Here's proof: This is the back of the Chicken quilt. I haven't counted, but I'm guessing I've got between 1,000 and 2,000 pieces in it. There are 35 different fabrics.

 My students always ask, "Do I press toward the dark fabric?" My answer is, "You press to minimize, and distribute the bulk evenly. And if that means you press toward the light fabric sometimes, then that's what you do."

Here's a closer view. The letters are about 4" tall

Remember, this entire quilt was made without templates, without patterns and it was NOT paper-pieced.  I take one piece of fabric and sew it to another, and keep going. (Yes, I do know where I am going, what I want it to look like and how I am going to get there.)