stillclock

this frank lloyd wright quilt is just not working.

i have:

-checked my cuts
-paid for a lesson to make sure i was stitching at the right seam allowance
-consulted with the instructor who assured me my cuts were right, as were my seam allowances
-looked at other people's projects to see if their pieces lined up (they do)
-borrowed a newer machine
-used a vintage machine
-starched the daylights out of everything and pressed like a maniac terrified of moving the iron
-avoided steam
-cried

i don't know what else to do. there are 36 little tiny pieces that come together to make side panels to compliment a pieced chevron and if they don't line up the quilt is not going to work.

in spite of the list above, they are not lining up. i am not quite done, but i am so frustrated. so incredibly unbelievably frustrated.

aileen

Tartan

I feel your pain! No matter how long I have quilted, sometimes a pattern just defeats me. It may be time to redesign and make it an original. Rename it "Frank Lloyd Wrong."

stillclock

this book has really mixed reviews. some people like it, others seem to have had the same problems i am having.

it has not been republished, and there isn't an overabundance of completed projects up for show on the web.

ima drink a glass of wine and blame the pattern

aileen

MaryMo

I vote for blaming the pattern .... good luck!

dunster

How disappointing! Doesn't the instructor have any words of wisdom to help you out? I have been looking at that book online and wondering whether to get it or not. I think maybe not, based on the mixed reviews of the instructions.

KalamaQuilts

necessity is the mother yadayada

go dead center on both sides and take a small seam.
go dead center on both sides and add a small extension
Looks like you planned it all along

go a little up or below center and do one of the above.
Fools the eye, don't point it out
Life is short then you die, get 'er done.

stillclock

we went over a few things, the instructor and i. i am an intermediate quilter, and really pretty careful and accurate most of the time.

she couldn't see anything out of whack in what i brought to her, and she watched me sew and didn't have anything to add. the math adds up in the pattern. maybe it's just one of those things. i really don't know what else to think.

the author is emphatic about accuracy. i have measured every single seam and cut. i am just kind of done with it, but am loathe to give up. the fabrics are beautiful...

it might just end up being different and less than i wanted it to be. i don't know.

aileen

Dina

I'd go with it ending up different. Pretend that is how you wanted it all along... Honestly, it sounds like you have given it you best shot. You have worked hard and maybe it is now just time to finish it, any way you can. Only you will really know it isn't quite like you thought it would be. And, I too blame it on the pattern.

Dina

JustAbitCrazy

I remember a long time ago someone saying those were difficult patterns because of all the long skinny strips which are pieced. Time to walk away from it for a while, methinks. Give yourself a break. Do something else for now, something fun! Return to it with refreshed eyes when you are ready.

ManiacQuilter2

OH, I agree with Tartan. Remember the old saying when there are lemons, make Lemonade !! Wish you would post the blocks. Maybe one of us could help you twik the pattern. Frank Wright made some mistakes in his time. He wasn't perfect either. I am surprised that the instructor wasn't able to find out where the problem is. Hang in there. Tomorrow will bring a whole new day !!