Advice please
06-28-2011, 11:02 PM
#12
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Location: Massachusetts / Vermont === Now in ==Green River Utah = Owner of GreenRiverKOA Campground
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Originally Posted by GreatStarter
I agree, I would take it apart and resew it. Hopefully it will come out close enough so it will work fine in the quilt. Since no one knows which block is which, just do it and don't tell anyone else.
Kat
Kat
06-28-2011, 11:05 PM
#13
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Posts: 935
[quote=suzee]I am in a pickle and need some advice. First, let me admit that I am a perfectionist...
Oh, my goodness! You could have written a similar thread a couple of weeks ago. The other instance was young children making quilts for their teachers. The woman who was coordinating was also a self-proclaimed perfectionist. In her instance, she was advised to leave them alone because all the blocks were unique. I can completely understand your pickle. I myself would fix up the block as best as possible; if it isn't salvagable, is there a chance you could have a strategic coffee spill? That would work if the blocks are same/similar. If not, could rearranging the work help? When my guild gets together to make charity quilts, we divide up the work into stations...some sew, some press, some cut, some quilt, some bind, etc. Everyone gets a chance to participate that way.
And, like the others said...get some help setting up and putting away!!! It might take you 45 minutes on your own, but with three or four, maybe only 10 minutes??
Oh, my goodness! You could have written a similar thread a couple of weeks ago. The other instance was young children making quilts for their teachers. The woman who was coordinating was also a self-proclaimed perfectionist. In her instance, she was advised to leave them alone because all the blocks were unique. I can completely understand your pickle. I myself would fix up the block as best as possible; if it isn't salvagable, is there a chance you could have a strategic coffee spill? That would work if the blocks are same/similar. If not, could rearranging the work help? When my guild gets together to make charity quilts, we divide up the work into stations...some sew, some press, some cut, some quilt, some bind, etc. Everyone gets a chance to participate that way.
And, like the others said...get some help setting up and putting away!!! It might take you 45 minutes on your own, but with three or four, maybe only 10 minutes??
06-28-2011, 11:15 PM
#14
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Originally Posted by suzee
except that the person who made it was very secretive during it's construction.
06-28-2011, 11:32 PM
#15
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Originally Posted by Charlee
Originally Posted by suzee
except that the person who made it was very secretive during it's construction.
06-28-2011, 11:39 PM
#16
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Location: S. W. Indiana
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Originally Posted by suzee
I am in a pickle and need some advice. First, let me admit that I am a perfectionist. A group of ladies from my church expressed the desire to make a quilt as a surprise gift for another lady in our church who is a missionary in Africa. Some of the ladies are experienced quilters, some are not. This is a project that has been batted around for two years and never got off the ground so I said if they really wanted to do it, I would organize the project. I worked with another quilter to choose the blocks and I supplied all the fabric. We are meeting for 2 1/2 hours twice a week so it is a big time commitment for me because I have to go to the church and get everything set up and ready before the other ladies arrive, then tear down and put everything away before I leave. I have asked an experienced quilter to work alongside each of the novices and I 'roam' lending help where needed. This morning, as I was gathering up the blocks that had been completed, I found that one block is especially wonky. The seams are closer to 3/8 than quarter inch in many places and in other places they are less than an eighth, the block was not pressed during construction, and overall, it is just really sloppy looking. We are using Rhonda's cut down method so there is really no reason for this block to be such an eyesore except that the person who made it was very secretive during it's construction. The quilt will require 40 blocks and, including the wonky block, we have 17 completed. Here's my dilemma; Should I ask this lady to do the block over? Should I un-sew it myself and try to salvage the fabric and restitch it? Should the block magically disappear? Should I just whip up a new block and replace it? None of the blocks has any identifying mark on it, the rest of the blocks are beautiful and line up perfectly. I realize that my perfectionism can be a real serious character flaw. I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings, but I'm not sure what is the right (gracious) thing to do here. What do you all think?
A few weeks from now, if she says something, just say her block was very pretty (some superlative) but it just was not fitting right, so you had to adjust it. YOu wouldn't be lying. Maybe not telling all you know, but you'd not be out and out lying.
06-28-2011, 11:44 PM
#17
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Originally Posted by irishrose
I would very quietly fix it. The less said, the better. It won't be perfect, but it will be acceptable. For the next round, pay attention to that pairing and offer gentle corrections as the block progresses.
You also need to request some help setting up and taking down. Doing it alone can get old in a hurry.
You also need to request some help setting up and taking down. Doing it alone can get old in a hurry.
It is sooooooooooo difficult for me to take stuff from home, load my car go to church and unload to repeat the process when the day is over.
06-29-2011, 07:05 AM
#18
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 255
I just read the whole thread. A few things came to mind. I have a very good friend who likes to make things for her grandchildren. Every year she makes christmas stockings for them and asks me to embroider their names on. She just bought a new Bernina machine with all the bells 'n' whistles. She has all the great tools, just doesn't really understand how to use them. #1. her cutting-out of the item is uneven and downright messy. #2. She has no idea how to sew an even seam. I calmly take the whole item apart to flatten it for the embroidery hoop, then neaten things up as much as possible when putting it back together. I don't want to make it "perfect" - just neater. She has other attributes that are just as important as being a perfectionist. Besides, she is my good friend.
06-29-2011, 07:23 AM
#19
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Tennessee
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Originally Posted by Rose L
Originally Posted by Charlee
Originally Posted by suzee
except that the person who made it was very secretive during it's construction.
06-29-2011, 07:49 AM
#20
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,232
If the block is that out of alignment, won't it affect how the quilt goes together? The seams won't match correctly. Also, the narrow hem may result in a weak spot in the quilt. That one wonky block may affect the look of the entire quilt.
I don't have an easy answer. I guess it depends on how well I know her. My first instinct is to fix her block, and then quietly take her aside and kindly show her what you did. Privately. It sounds like she might be making additional blocks, and you don't want to have this problem again.
I agree with the others - everyone should help with the set up and take down.
I don't have an easy answer. I guess it depends on how well I know her. My first instinct is to fix her block, and then quietly take her aside and kindly show her what you did. Privately. It sounds like she might be making additional blocks, and you don't want to have this problem again.
I agree with the others - everyone should help with the set up and take down.
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