SonjaG

This is only my third project...why I decided I could conquer a queen sized quilt without any problems is beyond me. Anyway, I pieced the quilt together and after having it on the floor for a few days, finally saw a big problem. I laid everything out before putting it together, how did I not see it then? There appears to be an "unfortunate" pattern in some of the blocks. Seeing how my Mom was born and raised in Germany during the War, I just cannot leave those blocks as is. How do I fix just three or four of the blocks without taking the entire quilt apart?

sandyms

I have very carefully picked out the stitches around the "wrong" block, then resewed it, finally stitching it back into the quilt. Be careful not to stretch any of the fabrics. Good luck with this - the quilt is very pretty.

Beebee

Wow that is a beautiful quilt. I don't think Mom will notice. I know what you mean about a German woman's perfection!! You can always tell her you wanted to test her. Just to make sure she was still as sharp as ever!
You certainly can leave the blocks alone. I would not try to take it apart as you might mess up your measurements inserting a new block and find yourself in more of a pickle. You probably are a perfectionist just like your mom. At our "mom's knee"...that is where we learn. Good luck with whatever you decide.

ArtsyOne

I'm German, like your Mom. If it really bothers you (it doesn't bother me) how about appliqueing something into the center of each of the offending designs? Maybe a star or a heart or just a simple square in another color.

QuiltnNan

you quilt is very pretty. if you had not pointed out the issue, i would never have seen it. and because your fabrics are patriotic, i would not change the questionable blocks.

Holice

I can't see that it needs a "fix" so won't make any suggestions.

MTS

Well, I'm not German, I can certainly see the problem, and it would bother me, so I can totally see why you want to fix it.

Sandyms uses the same method I do.
I call it "targeted specialized surgery."

Just some random notes from my experience in this field ;-)

You want to gently open the seams around the blocks, extending it an inch or two on all sides.
This will allow the block to gently fall out without any pulling, and still leave you some room to maneuver the new or redone block back into the same space.

Because those sashings are pretty thin width-wise, and solids sometimes tend to fray more than prints (in my experience), I would probably do one block at a time.
That way you keep the quilt top relatively intact and stable while removing and inserting.

Just keep track of where you are on the back and front - I've accidentally opened the wrong seam.
Nothing to do but laugh and sew it back up again.

Try to allocate the couple of hours it will be take all at one time.
I've found it's much easier doing it in one sitting then walking away and coming back, and having to figure out where you where (which, btw, led to opening the wrong &#@&& seam!!).

Work slow and methodically, and you'll find it's really not a difficult process at all.

Good luck!!

JulieR

Wow, I wouldn't have seen it if you hadn't pointed it out, but now that's ALL I see. I can understand your concern!

I'm not sure how to fix it without taking it apart again. What would it look like if you took the blocks apart, cut them into HSTs and put them back together in a new pattern?

What a heartbreaker, the quilt looks beautifully made.

Holice

Will someone explain what the "problem" is.

HillCountryGal

I can see where some of the blocks resemble a swastika. However, with the fabric being what it is... it may not be that obvious to your Mother. Rather than remove blocks/strips, I like the idea of a few stratigically placed appliques. Maybe you could fussy cut some of the flag squares used in your border? Let us know what you end up doing.