I've had piecing days like that, Pam, when NOTHING goes together right. The next block will probably be MUCH easier. I agree, though, that the square in the corner is MUCH easier than cutting triangles. No stretchy diagonals.

PPam wrote:
Do you ladies find that as we get older we get more exact? I know when I first started that things being off were no big deal to me... at least I did it! Now, the challenge is making it the best I can.

YES, i look back and think, when I was sewing for my kids, I wanted seams to match up, but was not as perfectionistic as I am getting to be now! Along with learning how to do stuff, we learned, I want to be good at this, I want to be able to show my hard work to others, and share.
The more I do it, the better I expect to become, but I forget, it's not gonna happen in one day. I fight with things too, and when I finally get tired, and it's somewhat the way I want it...I let it go, resolving that next time, I will remember all the things I learned this time! Yes, YES, YES! :wink:

Ppam wrote:....This is the layout that came to me at work today. Then I thought "Feathered ... cabins?" Thinking "feathered" made me think of "tarred and feathered". Starred and Feathered!

I think that is brilliant! (applauding)...wtg! you just keep doing these really hard, but awesomely beautiful works of art, pam. It gives ppl like me, something to aspire to! :P

I'm thinking that the small stars I chose for the first border are more than I want to do. I've completed 3 of them, another 5 are in the HST stage, and I just don't like working with them.

The pieces are small and the block is so small that they are very bulky. There is no room for error or fudging, or nudging, into submission. If it's too frustrating and not enjoyable to work on it's going to turn into a UFO and I don't want that.

I may try and complete these first 8 and then assess how it's going. I worked on it for quite awhile last night just to get two more blocks done.

Ah yes, Pam, if it doesn't feel 'right' you don't have to do it - no quilt police looking over your shoulder!

nope, no police, but you can still call it, 'starred and feathered'. I love that! :D

I worked on it last night and got another block done and the green and brown squares cut out for the rest of them.

I'm just going to do it and not worry about it so much. I'm breaking it down into manageable parts of doing 7 of each type at a time. There are 28 of these 6" blocks, 7 mulberry and green, 7 mulberry and blue, 7 brown and green, 7 brown and blue.

I think it will help when I receive the padded pressing/blocking board that I ordered yesterday. My concern on the blocks is that they are so small that the slightest error makes them get out of size. After experimenting with using a scant 1/4" I found that even that much off makes the block a bit larger than 6 1/2" and I don't want that either because it will cut off my points if I leave it like that!

As you say, there is no quilt police. I can only do what I can do and I'll have to let go of the thought that it has to be perfect. I'm sure my daughter won't be judging it. :wink: