I've been carefully and happily making a quilt for my daughter's second grade class room that is decorated with Robots.

I was so proud of all the different robots and space ships and even a big quarter moon with a cow jumping over it for added interest. (These are for 7 year olds).

I downloaded lots of different ones, drew them on iron-on backing, cut them out and then decided to hand sew them on.

Without remembering the small, necessary fact of removing the backing, all the while chatting with a friend and doing a lovely job on them. Then just today the cat landed on my lap and I heard paper crinkling...I could just cry I was so mad at myself. Now I'm going to have to cut out some of the applique stitches and with long tweezers pull out the paper, then I can iron them on like they should have been to start with. It will still be ready for Christmas, I know, but it's still maddening.

I am so sorry!

Oh My...

Actually....I've done more stupid things than we have room to list.Chalk it up to a learning experience like I do.Have sure done a ton of learning & still many miles from not making mistakes.Take it easy on yourself.....

Can you go from the back and cut it out?

I am so sorry! I do hate when that happens :'(

I took a class with Author Linda Poole. Her whole applique method is to stitch it down then cut a slit in the back and pull the paper out. I prefer the old needle turn freezer paper method so the papers always on top so I don't forget it, as I know how easy it must be to forget it! So you could slit the back, pull the paper out, it would likely be just fine. I can't remember if she whip stitched it closed, I likely would,

We all make mistakes, you just said it out loud....Good Luck

If it'll be a wallhanging, it won't matter.

Yup, did that very thing. Didn't notice it until after I gave it to them. Too late to do anything about it. After it was washed a few times, it stopped crackling.

I left a measuring tape in another one. It's still in it.

They make great stories to rag me about.

Ya slit in the back is what I would suggest too. I have done worse than that for sure...

Ahahahahahaaaaaaa...... dang near fell off my chair reading this one bout the measuring tape... Sorry but it was too good not to chuckle....

sorry for your mishaps but thanks for the smile..

Oh, there are many stupider things I have done. I quilted over a safety pin that was basting my quilt together and didn't notice until I had finished and bound the quilt.

Then there was the "Sprite in the steam iron" incident. :oops:

I would make a small cut in the back behind the paper and take it out that way.! :thumbup:

Oh my goodness!! :-)

If I don't do something stupid every day I get confused.

You are not alone....I think our mistakes keep us grounded!

As this is a wallhanging and you will be backed, I would do as others suggest and make a careful slit in the back and pull the paper out with tweezers. Hang in there and don't forget to post pics. We love them!

Ditto with leaving the paper in if it is a wall hanging. Many of the older quilters left the paper in, especiallyEnglish paper piecing. Some quilters were so poor that they actually used paper instead of batting. Don't beat up on yourself. If the kids hear any crackling.... it's the robots :lol:

I did that Sprite in the steam iron thing long ago. Never forgot it and now I use water straight from the tap without letting it sit around. Won't catch me doing that again.

Oh, I feel for you girl!

One of the techniques for appliqueing is doing exactly what you've done!!! Then cutting a small slit in the back and taking it out. That is if you've discovered this BEFORE the backing was put on and it was quilted. You can use some iron-on stabelizer on the back to strengthen it again.

I have a quilt that was quilted with some paper in it...not sure what kind it is but it's lasting through alot of washings and still crinkles. I think it's funny and laugh about it everytime I use it and hear it.

Oh, I can relate, have done this a time or two. Its OK to have this happen, its called live and learn. grin.

I was hand quilting once and engrossed in a tv show. Qulited a good hunk to my housecoat.Sheesh!

The only thing I thing I have left in a quilt is Pins. Ouch. I just found one when I took a quilt out for the winter.

Oh I'm so glad. Fortunately I only ALMOST had diet sierra mist in my iron, just inches away when I saw bubbles!

How I handle these issues....
Have a good cry, pull out the secret stash of chocolate, and the "big" wine glasses (you know-those nice ones you bough while your husband was out of town). Fill it to the top, sip about half out while it is still on the counter...don't want any spill on your clean floor...wow that taste great, now refill that sip...don't want to carry a half full glass upstairs. Then take you glass and half of wine and chocolates to the bath tub. Wait grab that bottle of wine. No point in having to come back down in your bath robe. Light some candles, eat your chocolate, finish the bottle of wine (helpful tip-drink 2 bottles of water to ward off the headache that is waiting for you tomorrow) , enjoy a nice long hot bath. Get a good nights sleep....Tomorrow you will know how to fix the problem.

HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE................................ .I can see it all now.........................as long as you are NOT a surgeon!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

How did you get them to adhere without removing the backing?

Sometimes we have to laugh at ourselves over things we do - I know I have done things like that

Hey, I agree,, I have laughed at myself many a morning telling myself that I have to start taking breaks (like work) so I don't get tired or rushed. That's when I make big ones. The owner of the big box store, H.Depot, told us as a class, "If you do not make an mistakes, or haven't asked any questions, then you haven't learned anything." SSSSSOOOOOOOOO Right!!!!!!!

I would have given them the quilt and not worried about it. The paper would give it body and no one would know it wasn't supposed to be that way. A "good enough" story if I ever heard one.

Carol J.

I've done tons worse! I'd just take this out from the back and say you meant to do it that way all along:wink:

Has any one squared up there block and learn they cut off there points i have been sewing and squaring away and realized i didn't allow for my 1/4 in seam on my blocks i am so frustrated i cut and sewed about 7 12"blocks already.I guess it doesn't pay to get in a hurry :(

I am so sorry that you did this, however I bet that this will never happen to you again!

TreeFrog

I've done worse, and I'm very sorry this happened to you.

I"m with ya there. It also confuses others. Ha. :thumbup:

If it's a wall hanging, can't it just be left as is??

Thats GREAT,... My MIL gave me a single size quilt that still had straight pins sewn into it. That was realllll cozy!

I agree with the others. If you slit the back and take the paper out it will reseal when you iron on the pieces.
The class will love it.