Please tell me that it's normal to have blocks that you've re-done multiple times?

I'm new to quilting and I think my current project/quilt top is more advanced than I should be working on maybe, but I don't want to quit. It's a basket pattern, actually 13 different basket blocks, that make up a quilt top from my first Shop Hop recently. Now I'll admit that I haven't used a ruler/tape measure alot in recent years, but geeeez, this is not as easy as it looks! I have so much respect for all of you on this board with all the beautiful quilts that you show!

Did you start out taking blocks apart many times??? Will I eventually learn what to do and what NOT to do? Can you tell I'm feeling a little discouraged today? Thank you for listening to me whine today. :?

We all bite off more than we can chew occasionally. My second quilt top has so many little triangles in it, it sits nicely in a box waiting for me to get good enough to finish. I wish I had waited and learned a couple of new ways to do it, like paper piecing, that would have made it easy.

In the mean time, I have gone on to other quilt tops, some pretty complex and been successful at it. So far, a triple irish chain in queen size is my most ambitious quilt done, a patten called "homeward bound" the most ambitious top complete. It just takes time and patience.

Best of luck. this group of people will get you through.

tim in san jose

I think we've all been there. Just take it one block at a time and don't even think ahead to the next block. Try not to be discouraged. Even experienced quilters have to 'unsew' sometimes. :wink: :D

Did you start out taking blocks apart many times??? Will I eventually learn what to do and what NOT to do? Can you tell I'm feeling a little discouraged today? Thank you for listening to me whine today. :? [/quote]

Oh Yes, I have been there many times, you are not alone on that one.

Did you hand baste the pieces together that made up the basket. When i get really cheesed off with something I find that hand basting first before i sew sometimes solves the problem.

Take it easy....... tranquilo as we say here in Spain.... :D Elle

It is quite normal!!! Some days nothing will go together right and other days they will practically put themselves together.. On the bad days if I have to rip it too often its best to just walk away for awhile. But try to figure out what the problem is before going on. Are you doing something wrong, is your 1/4 seam correct, is your pattern correct, or as is my case usually just have HUB syndrome going on!!! (head up butt)

Ohhh my gosh if it's not normal then I have a major problem!! :wink: First of all welcome to the most helpful place in the world!! Trial and error are really the best teachers!! You'll get it, just keep trying. I'm not an experienced quilter...seamstress yes, quilting though not so much. I don't think I've made very many things, quilt blocks, clothes, any sewing project that I didn't have to rip out at least one ooopsy!!!! Hang in there, it really does get easier!! Just make sure to keep having fun...when it seems like a "chore" put it away for awhile and find a new muse for a minute, day, week, month. Whatever it takes then come back to it.

FanofFabric...don't worry!!:))We've all been there, done that. I have to say I've never been good at ripping...just going forward:))I seem to rip now more then ever after more experience.:0)My first investment would be an omni ruler. It is the best and so makes the cutting very efficient and accurate. I'm not sure a basket block is a good thing for a beginner...maybe if you could post some pics and hear some short cuts on how to do the one you are working on...if that is 'ok' to do so. Remember..ruler (I like the different size square ones/6" my fav!) and a good rotary cutter w/mat. SKeat PS who will say don't quit whatever you do..and, if you feel frustrated w/this block, then set it aside for awhile and sew on something else till you gain some more confidence. I did that on a Halloween quilt that I bought as a kit...did one block and could have pulled my hair out...so very carefully tucked it away and am now excited to pull it back out and do it. And, am glad I waited on this one:))

I have to agree with everyone's commments and please be assured, you are not alone! I can't tell you how many times, I've cut out carefully and measured carefully and haven't had pieces go together "right". I rip and rip and rip if necesary. Rotary cutters, mats and a good omni ruler (that's a brand name-think it's spelled right) do help one to be more accurate. But, please don't quit.......If real frustrated, start another one less complicated......

Thank you to each and every one of you for your responses. It's good to hear that maybe it's not just happening to me. :) I'm just so excited and want to learn too fast I guess.

Hand basting may be very helpful to me as a beginner, just to make sure before I sew it. That's a good idea. Over the last several months, I picked up rotary cutters and a couple different size cutting mats, as well as 2 different size Omni rulers. I have a roomful of gadgets and accessories and now I just need to put them all to use and hopefully end up with quilts. :P

For now, I think I'm going to tuck this particular project gently away and learn more of the basics and then go back to it later on when I know more. I recently picked up fat quarters to make a quilt top using the "turning twenty" pattern that is simple squares/rectangles. I think that's where I'll focus for now. Surely I can do squares accurately!?!?!?. LOL We'll see.

Not necessarily. But... Turning 20 is a nice easy pattern. Yellow Brick Road is another nice one, if you think it through, there will be no matching seams to any other block, nor any matching seams within the block. It's easy but looks very complicated. It's the background for my toes.

tim in san jose