WORKING WITH ORIENTAL STYLE FABRICS

As I began to piece blocks with more patches, the accuracy I experienced stitching the small one-patch (polka dot happy) quilt has disappeared.  Now, more hours than I care to admit to have been wasted trying to figure out WHY??? and ascertaining what settings/feet should be used on this (still new to me) Janome 8900.

Today I'm doing methodical comparison stitch testing and perhaps the mystery will be solved.  It's ridiculous that this is so difficult....one should be able to sit at a sewing machine that costs thousands of dollars and sew a simple straight line accurate seam the first, second, and forever time!!  Perhaps gremlins have invaded my studio and are messing with me!

 A dear friend has an enormous fabric stash.....to which I have been the beneficiary many times over.  Thank you Helen!!  Here you see 4 LARGE USPS boxes, stuffed with oriental designed fabrics.  Excellent quality I might add.

First let me say, this is not my style nor color preference.....lots of purples, pinks, and lots of gold.  But, why not consider that a challenge!?!  I've made several successful lap quilts featuring small patches which were easier to incorporate, yet that hardly made a dent in the collection. 

Even though I had color coordinated the fabric for storage, somehow nearly every piece ends up out of the boxes, searching for the right combination.

It seems a shame not to highlight the various scenes depicted in the majority of the fabrics. I thought that working with larger patches would also make decision making easier, it was just the opposite. The prints are so busy.  The block I've chosen requires specific orientation for cutting and placement, making the process more tedious.  Okay....I'll admit it.....selecting these fabrics took me HOURS.....seriously!  Maybe someone who works with this style frequently could make the selection licky-split....alas I couldn't.

So.....onward.....the boxes are put away and I'm working with these fabrics - do or die!!!