When everything seems to go wrong I feel it's time to take a break and come back with fresh eyes at another time.

sometimes you need to just walk away from it for awhile , then when you come back things will go alot better

Told myself the same thing yesterday. Today I actually cut fabric accurately, so I guess I'll continue. :thumbup:

You quit??? Unh-unh... put the "l" back in that word! Right now, dearie! It goes right between the "i" and the "t". :)

We all need to just take a day sometimes...good to take a break when the fabric just won't cooperate!

Thanks for all the suggestions and empathy. Today went better. Part of this was operator error. I have a Pfaff with a built in walking foot, and guess what wasn't engaged. I should still be able to match seams without the walking foot, but it does help.

I also used more pins. Much easier to take the time to pin first, then to rip and resew.

Thanks again.

It's good to know when to quit or take a break. I get frustrated and the sewing gets worse b/c of it.

You are very wise. It is better to walk away from it for awhile and when you come back to the project it will work out the way it is supposed to.

I am with you. I went to a retreat with my GF. We were doing the same pattern, different colorways. One small wallhanging. We are 15 solid hours of work in and it isnt ready to quilt.

It was ATROCIOUS! She bought a kit, I just bought fabrics per the instructions. It ended up about 2/3 the size listed on the pattern. We used every bit of fabric she had. The directions were odd and confusing. Never unsewed so much in my life! The most we can figure after doing some research on the net is that the pattern was written by a European woman, translated to English--thus the confusing sentence structure and the size might have been metric not inches. Dont ask the designer because I cant tell you. I am so frustrated I blocked it out of my mind. We bought it at the Cincy Expo.

I would consider both of us intermediate level quilters. This thing would just not go together with the bias cuts etc. I left my machine in the trunk of the car. I dont even want to look at it or this project. If I didnt have over $100 into it, I would throw it in the garbage!

I have had those days. But now the sun shines as I at last found Jodi Barrow's 4-Patch technique ruler, and 9-Patch TR to be certain every part of the strip is cut and sewn properly. If you can take a peek at her video instructions on how to use them you will be so much more able to reach your perfection goal!

Keep in mind: You are smarter than those silly seams. You can do it!

I like that! Very clever!

Remember Scarlet's comment, "I'LL JUST WORRY ABOUT THAT TOMORROW"................

Thank you for posting the idea about using a dab of glue on seams. Also love the idea of using pins on either side of the seams. I learn something new here every single day! Thanks

I feel for you! Hang in there, you can do it! I had a lot of trouble but if I press the seams open and pin in the seam line, it works really well. I just can't seem to do the nesting thing.

Glad you feel better about it today! We've all been through the same, so don't feel alone.

This is from a song by Kathy Miller (a quilter and song writer):

Done is better than perfect! If you did perfect, what would you do then?

Tomorrow is another day.

It will all look better tomorrow!

Of course it will.

Helps to get away sometimes and do something else you enjoy. When you return, you'll be rejuvenated and everything just gets better! :)

It amazes me how the "overnite fairy" fixes things...she come and boom things work! Leave a window open for her to get in....

As, Scarlet O'Hara says, "After all, tomorrow IS another day"

how true that is

how true that is, keep trying and let us know how things are going.

I feel your pain.

I've come to the conclusion that some days are for cutting, and some days for sewing. Never the two shall mix.

Hope today is better for you.

Post a picture. Maybe we can help. Was hoping it was a typo...I quilt...not I quit.

Yes! I do this and it works for me. I also pin very close to the seam (1/16 inch). I learned this from Alex Anderson and it really makes a difference. Good luck! Nobody here wants you to quit! Just remember, you'll never know what you could have done if you quit trying. Believe me, I've had my share of mismatched seams, puckers, wisps, you name it! But my quilting is a whole lot better than it used to be. Still not perfect but a whole lot better. Keep trying and let us know how it goes.

I haven't read all the posts, but thougt I'd drop a line anyway.

If they don't match up after you've had a rest then add a nice complementary 1.5" strip of fabric between rows. You meant to do that.

Thanks Charity-Crafter. That is a great suggestion. I think I will try that one too.

what I do to get my seams to match is to put a pin in the seam of both patches then place a pin one on each side of the first pin about a 1/4 inch from each other this always makes the seams match. the nesting does not always work for me.

Good idea....sounds like you need a break! Things will be better tomorrow.

Get some of those fork pins at Joann's or any quilt shop - they work very well. I sew over them with the machine, but usually turn the wheel by hand when I get to the pins.
It goes right around the seam, one tine on each side of the seam.

My mother always stopped sewing and put everything away when things started going wrong.Saved alot of stress on her and us kids. HA!

I was just telling someone I'm in the mood to plan but not sew.I got the fabric and ideas but have to wait for the 'go for it ' time to happen. Reading your posts at this time I feel better about this. Like Kenny Rogers sang , " you got to know when to hold em you got to know when to fold em" cards and quilt pieces.