Help???

I have a friend/customer that is difficult. I mean, not "mean" difficult, but I think in some weird way she creates situations for herself to be let down or let others down. Foot dragging, wishy washy, asking the impossible, or asking for you to do things out of the norm kinda waiting for you to say no. She is a kind person...but emotionally draining.

SO, I'm making a quilt. I know, I should have considered it before I said yes. But I got sucked into wanting to lift her up, and have something nice for her, because of that "never anything good happening" kinda thing. I've gotten wiser though, and this will be the last major investment of my time, because I've figured it out. And she can bring her song and dance to someone else.

The quilt: A baseball-themed quilt. I've got enough novelty fabric to make it baseball themed. I tried to get her involved with the fabric choosing (because she asked, and of course...she's going to have it forever, so yes help choose the fabric) and out of literally 40-50 blue fabrics (she made a point to say blue, blue, blue...her son likes blue!) she picked the most odd, non-matching, not-boy, not-noteworty fabrics. It's like she doesn't feel like she *deserves* for me to use my best fabrics for this quilt. Like I'm supposed to beg her,drag her along, foisting pretty (handsome) fabric on her. It's not like she said OOOOH...I love *this* one, and *that* one...it was more like: Well.....I guess this would work...and maybe that one would be ok...this is all via the internet. She doesn't live close.

So, AFTER I had agreed to make the quilt, but BEFORE she started choosing fabrics, she asked if I could make a baseball diamond. Otherwise, if I couldn't do that then we could do a baseball/football themed quilt. To add to the mix, I had told her she must purchase the fabric as part of the deal. And, in the past I know that she has had money problems. And, in the past, she has owed me money. To date, she has paid back any money owed, but each time it has been like pulling teeth to get it back. SO, when she originally wanted me to do the quilt, I said "You will pay for the fabric" and so she sent me some $$ asap. :shock: Dammit, she called my bluff. Now I'll be making this quilt.

So, when she said only baseball, or baseball + football, I knew that I would have no use for all this novelty fabric, and she would be responsible for the overages, and at $9/yard (because some stores don't do the 1/2 yard online)...I was like, OMG I will NEVER get this money. And I'm NOT buying before I get the money, because I've done that before. I'm not sticking my neck out. SO, I gently steered her to "only baseball" to totally avoid the discussion about her needing to send me more $$.

I just really wanna get this done and on its way to her and be done with it.

Sooooooo.....baseball diamond....need to make one. Need suggestions for how to make the "outfield" round, and make the home plate circle proportionate to the outfield. Coffee cup? String and a pencil? I have never sewn a circle. I know I need to clip the curve, but how do you make it lay flat? Do you just need to account for the seam?

First off, What have you gotten yourself into?????? Now, forget making the outfield round!! Use green to square off the area outside the baseline, thus squaring your quilt without sewing and cutting circles. I have lived at baseball games for years watching sons and grandson play ball, and I never saw the outfield as a circle. As far as home-plate, you are making a "representative" diamond, not an exact scale version, so stop over analyzing and make it easy on yourself. Good luck!! You will need it!LOL

I agree with carol....why not applique the bases on rather than piece them into the infield square?

think raw edge applique ~ make it even easier on yourself. And having had friends like this myself I will tell you something...STOP being so generous! Do what YOU want to do and let your creativity loose on this one. She will be so surprised that its actually done that she won't care about anything else. If your not going to do this again for her at least have yourself some fun! GoodLuck...we people of the generous heart never want to hurt anyone...and end up hurting ourselves to protect them..and they never even realize it.

Soooo....I don't need to use this schematic?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basebal...Specifications

Seriously, I've never wanted to NOT do a quilt in all my life.

Something that would be cute, and super easy, use those fabric covered buttons to make your bases! Super easy to attach, and gives it a little wow factor with having to do applique!

I certainly don't have the skills to offer advice, but...I think I know your friend, based on your analysis. LOL.

I'd do whatever is simplest for you. It kinda sounds like your friend/customer just isn't going to be happy/satisfied.

Nah...I don't think you have to get that technical. A boy is going to recognize bases. I don't think the dirt part is that important!

use the diagram only if YOU want to..make this one easy and fun for you.

Do you and I have the same friend?? LOL....seems like we all have someone like this lady in our lives and you are right.....you get sucked in. I agree with the other posters, use applique, dont get technical and have fun. Sew and quilt like you're making this one for someone who will appreciate everything you are doing. Good luck.....we'll be thinking of you!