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?

No quilt is perfect, just as no human is perfect. That being said, we all have different levels of tolerating things. I know that I would most likely take it apart and resew it the best that I could with what I had to work with. That way I would still have the same basic block as was made by the other person, just sewn a bit better. Then I would use it in the quilt where it belongs. JMHO

I think I would do the same. Some people will always do that no matter what. I guess if you aren't very good at sewing you maybe should say so, then no one will expect you to take part.

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

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.

Very sound advice I think:).

Maybe the reason the lady was secretive was because she knew that the block wasn't very good. She probably just wants to be a part of the project. How well do you know her? Was someone experienced working by her? No one likes to think that their work isn't up to par. Does she act like she is enjoying herself? Maybe you could get her to help you set up and take down (I feel that all of the ladies should help). Don't you think that she will notice that her block has changed? Is everyone using the same fabric? You are between a rock and a hard place for sure. Good Luck.BrendaK.

I totally agree with the above! It's hard to avoid hurting someone's feelings, but at the same time you want to present a quality product. Correct the wonky block to the best of your ability without saying anything.

I agree with the above.

As a member of the quilt ministry at my church I can totally and completely understand your dilema. We make quilts for people within our congregation that are suffering from serious illnesses. It has been my experience that sometimes, regardless of how much help you offer, some people are just not really good at sewing or quilting. I am a co-leader with another lady and we have spent countless hours re-sewing blocks, pulling off borders, pulling off backs, etc. We just don't have the heart to tell the people there are problems with it. I think they probably already know but really want to help. It is a very uncomfortable position to be in because, obviously, we want our quilts to be durable and to be pleasing looking to the recipient. And, overall, it is a gift from our church.

There are some quilts that we have "put away" to be saved for the future and will most likely not be given out. It is so hard because these ladies are so kind with their time and are so grateful to be a part of our ministry! Sometimes we have found other jobs for them like putting ties into the quilts or coloring a bag that the quilt will be delivered in, etc.

In answer to your question I would probably try and pull the block apart and see if it's salvagable. On the flip side at least it is a block and not an entire quilt! If there is no hope you can discreetly "put it away". It most likely will not be noticed as missing.

Take care and God bless you!
Kim

Good luck! U got some good advice.

I agree, the only one that would know is the person who first made it, by not saying anything and just redo it would save heart feelings..

[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??

Someone will catch you if you fix/repair/replace the block. They know exactly what their block looks like, and will look for it in the quilt...

I'm in agreement with the above. Besides we all know when we have mistakes in a quilt we've made ourselves and we also know that if it isn't mentioned the chances are good that no one else will notice. Most especially a happy and thankful recipient. I say use the block as is!

What I'd do--------I'd make a duplicate block if the sme fabrics were available. Or if not, I'd rip hers and start over.

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.

Setting up and tearing down is such a chore for me, too. Maybe an hour on either end of a sewing session. That's why I'm buying a few sewing machines for our church group. We've already got a couple cutting mats, some rulers, rotory cutter, pins, and such. We've also got a couple tubs to store stuff in.

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.

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.

i agree... i wouldn't fix it on the sly. it might make her feel worse that it was fixed without her knowing. Leave it as is and the person who gets the quilt will love it anyway and you won't have to carry around the guilt. this is supposed to be where everyone learns and participates right? If you fix it she may feel unworthy and quit :(

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.

If the quilt has sashing you can save and use the block by adding fabric of a complementary color and squaring it up.

The person who made the block may have put all of her heart & soul into it and did the absolute best she can do. It might be crushing for her to have her block redone.

I say wait a bit and see how other blocks turn out. They can't all be perfect across the project, so likely there will be a few that need some attention (not just hers). Then you can honestly say that just like with any quilt ever made (by you or anyone else), sometimes a little adjustment is necessary to make everything fit properly. You don't have to completely redo it, though; I think just enough to make it work.

Definately the best advise you got - also remind the ladies that "many hands make light work" and ask them to sign up to help set up / break down. If they commit to a particular time / day call the day before with a gentle reminder so that they don't "forget" they signed up.

Maybe save all the wonky blocks and do something creative with the backing?

This is probably the course I would take to. Maybe the person who made it won't notice and if she does well, you can explain it was that or leave it out all together because it just wouldn't fit correctly. Either way someones feelings may get hurt and she may feel her efforts were un-appreciated.

I've had similar issue and you cannot repair, replace or leave out without hurting her feelings. She obviously wanted to participate or would not have volunteered. My opinion from experience is leave it as is. The other option is possibly saying you had 1 or 2 blocks too many and pieced them into the back so everyone's was used then add her's in back, make a second one for back if you need to. Or could her's be utilized as a label?

I like the idea of using hers for a label! That way it actually has pride of place without the problems of having to fit it in with everything else.

I agree!!! If you wanted a perfect quilt then you should have made it yourself. Put her block in the center surrounded by all the perfect squares.
First it will make her feel special and will let her know her efforts are appreciated (which they should be).
Second remember God allowed "special" people to be made imperfect and He still loves them just as much as perfect people. If God wanted perfection He could have had it.
Third as with any quilt there will always be something someone else doesn't like or would change, but someones effort is what makes it special and loved, not its perfectness.
Keep it as is and make it special!

Using it as part of a label sounds like a good idea. Are these experienced quilters? If some of them aren't, then maybe a separate demonstration of the correct way to make the block step by step is the way to go. This could be a general demo not singling any one person out.

mltquilt

Sorry, I don't agree that you should take it apart and re-do it. Unless you made it expressly clear in the beginning that you would accept only perfect blocks for your quilt, you should use what is offered and realize that not everyone can do all things to perfection. A gift is more precious if sacrifices were made to create it. The recipient will know that someone's heart was in the right place ~ even if her stitches weren't.

I know how you feel because if it were my own personal quilt I would be ripping that baby out before you could say boo, but I would not fix this block for fear of really hurting her feelings. I would take some starch and press the thing into submission. With 40 blocks I don't think it will really show unless you are looking for it. If she is to make another block I would have someone sit with her and help her with each step.

Several neighbors asked me to teach a beginning quilting class. We (they) decided to make a red/white/blue quilt and raffle it off at the annual 4th of July picnic. Being new quilters, not all of the blocks were perfect but were forced into submission with plenty of spay-sizing and a good steam iron. One in particular was almost horrible but the maker was so proud. I fit all the blocks in (a miracle in itself) and believe it or not, the quilt brought in over $200 in the raffle. Never, never, chastise a new quilter -- simply praise and offer extra help next time.