Ricky's Colourful Rhapsody

[Catherine S.]

It has taken me months, but I am finally back to the Colorful Rhapsody. I love the applique, and the rainbow thread from Superior is wonderful. The pieced curves for the ring went fine, but I have a lot of trouble getting my points to look good when I tried setting in the center piece. I wouldn't feel so discouraged if I was a new sewer, but I have been sewing for over 50 years and have made everything from handkerchiefs to formal gowns. No problems with set in sleeves, or zippers. Why can't I get these right. I have watched Ricky's videos numerous times (Twice today). I guess I will let it go for today, and look at it again tomorrow. Any suggestions anyone? If all else fails, I will do a decorative machine stitch over the seams and make them look right.

[Lori H.]

Hi Cathy,
I have all my applique fused on the blocks, but haven't stitched the applique yet, therefore haven't put the blocks together. Sorry I can't offer any helpful hints. I'm really looking forward to having time to work on my Rhapsody, too much going on to concentrate just now. Good luck. Be sure to post photos. Maybe a photo of the part you are not happy with will help someone with the great tip!
Lori
lorihquilts

[Lori H.]

Cathy--can you give us a picture so we can see what the problem is.

[wendy w.]

I won't be much help, I had to abandon Ricky's methods when I found it too fiddle because I made mine half size but what I did was to check my labelled points went to the corresponding one on the other pieces then needle turned the corners, my fabric had started to shred with too many unpickings.

If you can stick to Ricky's methods and crack it I'm sure you'll have a great technique for the future.

It made me jump getting this notification, I had just started quilting it again last night after months of neglect

[wendy w.]

OKAY... I do not get here as often as I use to... so what pattern are you discussing... post a link to the class room / episode numbers please.... I have seen his rhapsody shows but do not know if that is the program you are discussing??

[Norma H.]

the links is here:
learn/classrooms/

[Rita C.]

Hi Cathy, I hope that now you are freshly rested it will all be plain sailing today and that all your points are perky! I just had a look at the video in the classroom and thought I would mention a couple of things just in case. Firstly, Ricky snips into the point (45º corner) right up to the stay stitching; then he stitched a couple of inches from the edge on one side making sure to match the stay stitching (not the seam allowance) and stitched right off the bottom fabric while keeping the top fabric to one side. He then stitched the other side making sure to stitch right off the end in the same manner. When he turned over the fabric to stitch the other side he began to stitch from the underneath fabric(blue) onto the top fabric(green) and again stitched right to the end and off the top fabric. It looks really tricky and I haven't tried it but I would imagine that it's not nearly as easy as he makes it look. Definitely having the stay stitching matching as well as the registrations points would be essential without pins. If they go off even 1/16th of an inch I would imagine that the point will look wonky. I wish you luck. You have piqued my interest and I might have to go and give it a try now.

[Catherine S.]

Thanks all. I have the grandkids here today, so can't go down and sew. I did take a quick peek this morning and they did not fix themselves overnight. I will attempt them tonight and if that doesn't work I'll just do the decorative stitching over the seams. I will post a picture when I can. I just don't want this thing to beat me, and yes, it is not as easy as Ricky makes it look. :? :?

[Catherine S.]

I have just posted two pictures to the show and tell. No problems putting on the outside corners. I think I redid most of the inner corners at least one time if not more. Then was some drawing up of the applique areas. Maybe from ironing. I think it will be okay when I get it quilted. Thanks for all the advice.

[Susan B.]

Cathy, I'd love to see your pictures, but can't find them. Where did you post them?

[wendy w.]

Look in classroom show and tell Sue.

You conquered it Cathy. Quilting will sort out the bits of fullness. Fabulous, I do love these quilts

[Susan B.]

I found the Rhapsody quilts. Yeah! They are all truly beautiful. Was it enjoyable?

[Lois B.]

Looking at Ricky's tutorial I marvel at his teaching skills. It reminds me that all the caveman stuff is so much fun and so creative but it can so easily fool you into thinking it doesn't require so much skill. I believe the trick is that you have to be very skillful to know what you can get away with. Then there are the intuiative creative choices. It just isn't as easy as it looks. I am wondering, has Ricky ever recieved one of those best teacher of the year awards. He certainly should have! Thank you Ricky for all you do and sharing it so well.

[Ricky T.]

Lois - that was very kind of you to say - and I should compliment you on your insights. Yes, it is important to be skillful, and yes, I'm very intuitive with my choices. I encourage that in others as well. For some, it's not as easy, but we work on that in my quilting retreats.

As far as teacher of the year award. I've been nominated twice. It's nice to be recognized, but the main thing is that my passion for quilting is filtering out there and that I can share it with as many people as possible.

For all of you working on your Colorful Rhapsody, we are launching another mid-summer 2014 that I like very much. Still not a BIG quilt, but has plenty of skill builders.

[wendy w.]

Great news Ricky something to look forward to