Originally Posted by
chrisfromtx
I made about 200 6 1/2 inch nine patch blocks. I had trouble right away placing them in what I thought was a pleasing way. I used about 15 different, coordinating fabrics and muslin. Most of the blocks I made were just 2 fabrics and sometimes I would invert the combination. My aunt, who is a quilt maker, wanted to help. She told me that it would be easier to make a pattern with a four patch (thanks alot aunt). She thought I should take them apart. I said No Way! But she's kind of bossy and eventually she said she would take some apart and help me come up with a pattern. I thought she might just take one of the strips off, so I would have a 3 patch and a 6 patch, but she knows what she's doing Right. Well she designed for me a beautiful quilt top, what she calls a Trip Around the World. As she was explaining it to me I noticed that she had strips of 3 patches and single pieces. I asked her how I was going to put this all together, she never had a satisfactory answer, and then it dawned on me that my quilt was a mess. I have 2 1/2 inch pieces, 5 inch pieces, and 6 1/2 inch pieces. I don't know where to start. Am I wrong in thinking that she got me into a jam. I wanted my first quilt to be simple and easy to put together, now I have mess that all I can see it as is a jigsaw puzzle. What can I do? Where do I start?
Thank you for any help you can give me,
chrisfromtx
It's OK, Chris. Lots of us had similar experiences with first quilts. Mine is finally worn out from so many washings, so we have established that a disaster can be fixed. My best judgment, since you have been working with ittybitty pieces is to put them aside with a letter to yourself promising to come back to it later. Then find a pattern that uses larger pieces and make a four patch or nine patch using those. Limit the number of fabrics/colors you use and that will make it easier to lay out your blocks once you get them together.
If we knew where you are from in Texas, we might be able to get you some hands on help from your area. I'm in N Texas and we've got several guilds with members who will lend you a sympathetic ear and maybe even a helping hand. Ask at a fabric store or department if they know anyone who might help. froggyintexas