Frustrated
 

I decided that I was going to make a quilt for my queen size bed. I rushed around and cut the squares out for it . when I came back from vacation I sewed them together and it didn't match up so I checked everything and found when I cut my squares out they were not cut all the right size. In order to get them all the right size I trimmed them.They were half square triangle block and when trimming them I had to cut off a lot of the points. Went ahead
and sewed together as a different pattern. It looks pretty sloppy. Don't know what to do with it now. Thought I would finish it and practice my free motion quilting on it and everytime I looked at it , it would remind me not to get in a hurry when cutting out a quilt. Does anyone have any suggestions what to do with it? I am new at making a quilt but I knew better.Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

Finish it and hang it on your sewing space wall to remind you of what NOT to do.

Finish it and then donate it and forget it, go start another quilt. I do this all the time when a quilt turns into a mess of frustration.

Tartan I love that idea. Cover up those flaws. Haha

No suggestions for you but did want to ask you how you cut the HST down? Did you trim from each side? The reason I ask is because when I make my HST I always make mine bigger and then trim down to size I need. I've never lost any points. I always trim a little from each side.

Finish it!! It has been a learning experience and you can practice FMQ on it.

Absolutely, finish it! Practice your FM quilting. Donate it if you don't like it. Someone on this board was looking for "ugly" quilts for the homeless. She said that "pretty" quilts got stolen. Just shows that there is a purpose for everything

Give it to a quilting buddy,with an explanation of the problem and ask her/him to " take care of it " in any fashion they wish. I have done this for my buddies. It'll drive you nuts if you have to look at it anymore. Life is too short to do something you don't like ,if you don't have to.

if all you have is the quilt top, i would throw it out and not waste the batting. you will learn from your mistake, but you don't need the constant reminder glaring at you!

Exactly what I did with a quilt top I made. Threw it out and used it as a learning experience. Throw it out and don't look back!!!

Finish it to practice your free motion quilting, and then put it in the trunk of your car for an "emergency quilt" or in your camper if your family likes to camp. That is what I did with the first two quilts I quilted using my frame and free motion quilting and made all kinds of mistakes. The one quilt, was our school colors, so my daughter used it on bus trips, and now it is in her trunk of her car in plastic, ready to keep her warm if she is stranded on the road some place. The other is in our camper, I only have to look at it a few times a year, but it it is still being used.

If the top lays flat and has no problems that would give you fits during the machine quilting process, I would definitely recommend finishing it for practice with machine quilting. It will be well received if donated as long as it is sturdy and washable. Lots of people can't see past nice colors and fabrics. Something that is getting you down will give someone else a lift!

i learned this at a class years ago from Johanna Wilson of Plum Creek Quilts. When cutting down a HST ALWAYS line up the 45 degree line with your ruler and trim from both sides thus you will not lose your points. Thanks Johanna where ever you are. She had a cute sampler quilt called "Laura Engals Wilder Sampler" after all Johanna use to live on the banks of Plum Creed in Wisc.

the first quilt I did was an Eleanor Burns and I was so proud but when I gave it a second look...right smack in the middle was a block that the seams did not match at all. I had never done applique before but I cut out a nice size tulip and appliqued it over that mess of seams. To this day, every time someone sees the quilt they admire the tulip. Mistakes are opportunities to stretch your imagination.

I just makes me sick when I hear of people saying they "throw it out". My goodness, someone would finish it and give it away to someone who would love a warm quilt. Take it to goodwill.

I'm not sure if I'd donate it. If it's really bad, there are numerous things you could do with it. "Fracture" it with the black fabric, cut it into small pieces and donate them to your local humane society for pet beds, and I've seen a few good suggestions already posted. Don't throw it out - it's got to be good for SOMEthing! :-)

dog bedding

I agree with those who said finish it and practice FMQ. Then you can donate it. It will make a great practice piece.

Hang in there
 

Put it together and use it to practice your FMQ. I have two tops like that that are total disasters as "quality quilts" but I added borders, batting, backing and bound them. Am now practicing FMQ on both of them and am having a ball. I will actually "sleep under" these quilts as opposed to "saving them" - Just put your top together and have fun with FMQ !! You won't be sorry!!

I would finish it and practice your quilting on it. I have my first quilt that I think looks awful but it reminds me of how far I have come (still not there yet but have come a long way).

Whenever I start a quilt, I just cut one block/section then sew it together. If all goes well, I cut the remaining. A few bad experiences taught me that one!

I too cringe when I see or hear "throw/threw it out". So many of us quilt on very tight limited budgets that we would be delighted to take anything you are frustrated with and see what we can do to rescue it.
I think it would be awesome if you finished it and used it for practice of your FMQ skills, and then if you don't want it, donate it. As so many said so well, really cold people are not picky about what will keep them warm. BUT, if you are headed to the trash with it, think of your fellow quilters and offer it up here on this thread or on the "For Sale or Offer" pages, pleaseeeeeeee.... smilesss and hugss!

Great idea to applique over the problem spots...maybe you could add buttons?

I am sure any puppy or kitty would love it, and never see the flaws!

I'm sure someone will love it. Donate it to charity.

Turn it into an art quilt!

I keep a "picnic" quilt in my car all of the time. I can use it any time for a ball game, spontaneous event that means sitting on the grass or heaven forbid an emergency when I must be in my care for a long period of time. I made a scrappy quilt just to use up odds and ends and practiced my quilting skills then into the car it went. No, big deal to let it ride in my car until needed and I have used it several times already.