I'm working on my DD's Storm at Sea again--finally!
 

When my daughter got married a year and half ago, we used blue and purple batiks for the table toppers over white wideback. The plan was to then use the fabric to make a Storm at Sea quilt--which I planned to be finished with by her first anniversary. This quilt has been my worst nightmare! First I tried to figure out a specialty ruler a friend loaned but had forgotten how to use. When I gave up on that, I turned to a 12" block that we did in a challenge class--did all the cutting, started piecing units, put 3 blocks together and realized that by putting the "sashing" diamonds on all 4 sides as instructed, I would lose the curve illusion of the SAS--the reason we picked the pattern!. So took those all apart. Would have just pitched it and bought new fabric and paper pieced BUT the whole point of it is to use the fabric from her wedding, so... I got on
EQ7 and redid the pattern and reduced blocks from 12 to 9" with "sashing" only on 2 sides and then stuck it in cabinet.

Yesterday I pulled it out--no more excuses! Realized that the diamonds I'd cut with Tri-REcs rulers were a problem--had folded the fabric to get a whole diamond--but then too much fabric and could not get it reduced without losing the angle. So cut into 2(which the pattern called for in first place) and did 2 rows--working fine, now just 7+ more to do! and I have points again! :) I'll post a pic if/when I get this one done.

Wow, this quilt has been a lot of work already, but it will be so special when it is finished. Blue and purple are my favorite colors and blue and purple batiks will be beautiful in a Storm at Sea. I can't wait to see pictures...even pictures of your progress will be fun to see....hint, hint.

(I have lived in Texas 15 years, just long enough to pick up the expression, "Bless your heart." It sort of fits with all of the re-doing you have done already on this quilt. :) So, bless your heart and hang in there. This will all be worth it.

Dina

I was born in Texas and bless your heart was the first thing I thought when I read your trials. Oh, don't give up. When the tough ones are finished, it's such a relief and a whoa, I did it!

I have never made a sas quilt but I love them. Sure hope you post pictures!

Good luck with your new sizing. Once you have the first block sample finished the rest will just flow.

Storm at Sea is one of my favorite patterns. I haven't made one yet but it's on my bucket list. Good luck, sounds like your at the finish line.

I had the same one with mine and I ended up PP the large diamonds. Still need to put a border on this quilt.

When doing one at a retreat, I purchased joe Flynn templates....worked perfect for me......reminds me...that ufo is somewhere.......

Your daughter will love it when it's done! This is a pattern on my bucket list, your issues are why it's still on the list and not in my done pile.

thanks for the encouragement--I got another 15 blocks done today--only 60 some left! I figure a quilt isn't worth making if you don't learn something from it--these lessons have been hard but here's what I've learned so far:
Paper Piece OR use the Accuquilt cutter die!
Just SOOO glad I starched all this despite it being batiks!

You're really chugging along to get 15 blocks done in a day. Stay calm and sew on! :thumbup: