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I think I have half square triangle dyslexia

I think I have half square triangle dyslexia

Old 07-05-2012, 05:19 AM
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Default I think I have half square triangle dyslexia

I just finished a Shoo-Fly block for my Underground Railroad quilt class. I laid out the HST and after sewing and pressing and sewing rows, I some how get the blocks wrong in the pattern. This is an ongoing problem with me so I ask you seasoned quilters...how do you keep everything correct when sewing many pieces? I thought I took extra time checking the pattern and by golly I sewed wrong pieces together!! I think if I did an entire quilt of HST I would be in a fetal position in a corner sucking my thumb!!! What tips and hints can you pass on?

Thanks, Dianne
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Old 07-05-2012, 05:24 AM
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I have the same problem but found that if I lay the block out on my sewing table and then put a pin in the side that is suppose to be sewn it seems to help. Will do this with each piece until the block is finished. Hope this helps.
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Old 07-05-2012, 05:27 AM
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We all do that & become fast friends with our seam rippers. Just remember it next time, slow down & try even harder. I'm not aware of any tips on not making mistakes. I'd sure use them if I did! LOL! Just a part of being a quilter I guess. Laugh & go on. Perhaps you've discovered a whole new design! :-)
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Old 07-05-2012, 05:29 AM
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I put the pattern on my table and layout all the block pieces to match the pattern. Then as I pick up each pair I stick a pin on the edge I am supposed to sew. Sadly, I still mess up on occaision.
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Old 07-05-2012, 05:33 AM
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I double check BEFORE I sew and pin the side to be sewn. I also use a design board and only sew one at a time and put back on the board. I hate ripping....lol. Still make mistakes tho...
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Old 07-05-2012, 05:39 AM
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i remember watching Eleanor Burns a few times when she stacks the entire [small] project left to right and top to bottom. she manages to sew the entire thing together correctly. sadly, this just never works for me. i'll never do a quilt in a day because i have to take two pieces, look 3 times before i sew once
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Old 07-05-2012, 05:45 AM
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I print a picture of the block and as I put it together say out loud the way it should be. "Red top left(HST) long piece, red top right" I have moderate dyslexia and it makes it very interesting sometimes. I can't tell you how many times I have to double check the picture of each block. Sticky notes on 'top' so they don't get turned around, I lay out the blocks in at least 3 rows then sew and replace until all of 1 row and sticky note.Go on to row two and sew.Sticky note row 2 place on top row 1.Lay out row 4 et.
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Old 07-05-2012, 05:56 AM
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Thanks for the suggestions. I like the pins on sewing side, triple check and the picture idea is great. Sticky notes might help me. I really need to get into a good habit of sewing blocks because I am becoming very frustrated with myself!!
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Old 07-05-2012, 05:57 AM
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I made myself a portable block flannel board. I just took a piece of cardboard and made a flannel pillowcase for it just big enough to slid the cardboard in and stitched it closed. I cut my block pieces and arrange them to make the block on the board. I then carry the board to my sewing table and piece 1row at a time and place it back in the right position before doing the next row. I am not saying it is foolproof but it helps.
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Old 07-05-2012, 08:42 AM
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Yep, I keep a picture of the block on the sewing machine cabinet and then I strip piece as much as I can checking each piece as I go.

ali
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