It's okay to be a failure
 

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So, I spent a lot of time on these..and now I hate them and don't want to put them into a quilt that I will see on a regular basis, they ended up slightly different sizes and if I matched them all to the smallest one, it would be out of proportion and just weird. I have already started putting together smaller collections to make baby size quilt tops instead of the one queen size duvet I was going to make.

I learned a lot making these pink blocks. But they turned out so catty-wompus that I just can't even allow myself to make it into a quilt for my stepdaughter. I want something that is more polished. I had intended to put a fleur-de-lis in each white block since that is her favorite shape.

LESSON LEARNED: This is what happens when you are fearless and thinking you can just sew fabrics together and that will make a block. Not saying you can't do that, but I think I will be more successful once I have a lot more experience, knowledge(and quite a few more failures, I'm sure), and have followed a pattern more than once. I have 18 pairs left, enough for two more tops.

Now... what to do with them? 1) use them to learn on the long arm....

by the way, the pinks match a whole lot better than they appear to here.

I agree that some blocks I make just don't fit, but they can always be used somewhere else ... a pet quilt maybe?

I like the pinks!

Ooh, I like the idea of quilting these and donating to a pet shelter. That is where my heart has always been, with the animals.

You just have to square them up to be the same size as the black. Use a ruler just about the same size as the size block you want; like a 6 1/2 or or whatever. Then find the center of the block and for a 6 1/2 in block the center of the ruler is 3 1/4 and that should be in the center of block on all 4 sides and then trim each block so that they are all the same size. You might consider a white or another color for sashing and then you don't have to but up seams or alternate the blocks on each row so that the black buts up with the pink and white each time and then you don't have to worry so much about matching seams. My daughter made a block quilt and the blocks were off but I didn't want her to get disappointed and quit quilting so I made sashing to put between the rows of blocks and then it didn't show as much that the blocks weren't 100% the same size. I even had to take one whole row apart because there was way too much off in size but I didn't tell her, I just put it all together and then taught her how to do some SITD and tied it off and she gave it as a baby gift and the new mom and all the guest thought she did a great job. She told me later, how can they say that I made so many mistakes. I told her that only someone that quilted or knew to look really careful would see them. Most people look at the gifts; not the mistakes. Her next quilt was so much better and she did it all by herself. I was very proud. I think you are on a role here and can have a very pretty quilt if you keep going.

Here's a trick I learned from making all those Blooming 9 patches -

Don't ever cut the plain/solid squares until all the pieced squares are sewn and squared up.

And then, whatever that measurement happens to be, that's the size you cut the plain squares.

Yes, in a perfect world, even if you weren't doing such a free-form design, every block sewn would be finish to the same exact size.

Well, the world ain't perfect.

So you can stress over the fact that yours aren't - which is in total opposition to the whole free-form movement - or you make sure they're the same size (by squaring them up), and now the blocks will go together so smoothly you'll be done before you know it.

I respectfully disagree with the title of your post. You are not a failure. You may have failed at meeting the expectations of this project but that is it. YOU are not a failure. That said, the blocks are cute. One possible use is to turn them into HSTs with the black on one side. Then it wouldn't be noticeable that the lines don't match up. You can square up the HST and nobody will ever be the wiser.

Practice your FMQing with them and make them into doll quilts to give to little girls

The pinks combined with another fabric would make interesting half square triangles.

you are not a failure because if that is a failure then wow i am
really bad. i just start over and eventually it all goes in place. i really
like the pink it will be used somewhere else. keep plugging along you
are doing great.

Thank you so much for your ideas and kind words, I definitely have to remember this. As it turns out already, I have enough squares for three 36x45 blankets and two 36x36's which I am actually falling in love with as they will make great gifts to either mommas or hospitals. Ones that I will be proud to give. I guess I just had to work them up and make the tops before I called them a failure.

I have extra squares that I may make HST's out of. So many great ideas. I was just so bummed at first and just wasn't happy with how they turned out. I need to learn to be truly fearless. Thank you all for your kind words. I have been busy on the pedal today. Never day done!

hope you post a picture of the finished project. Looking forward to seeing how they turned out.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]391894[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]391896[/ATTACH]Okay, the first one is one of the 36x36 I made with just flannel backing , no batting. and the other is a tshirt quilt I made for me and DH, which I am in the process of clipping the raw edges to make it a rag quilt. Anyone know if laundromats get mad if you wash the rag quilts and clog up their washers with all the stringies?

LOL!
It's best to keep a low profile. ;-)

I'm glad you found a way to use your blocks. Nothing wrong with admitting something didn't work out -it's learning, not failure. (It took me a long time to learn that and stop bating myself up when I made mistakes). My "learnings" go in my scrap box and will be cut up to make crumb blocks.

They are not "failures". They are "artistic oppertunities", at least that's what I keep telling myself:D

[QUOTE=KarynneStorm Anyone know if laundromats get mad if you wash the rag quilts and clog up their washers with all the stringies?[/QUOTE]

Some places sure don't appreciate that. LoL! I just wet the seams with a spray bottle, get them really sopping wet, then toss in my dryer. I do check the lint trap every 15 mins or so and do this a few times until they are frayed as much as I want them to be. This works for me and doesn't clog the washer when I do run it through for a full washing.
I love how the pink one came out, and I am so-not a fan of pink. Great job ya did there!

THAT is the answer!! Always make the most pieced blocks first, then the lesser or plain blocks; even do this within a block such as the star below. Cut that center square last after measuring the adjoining components. Personally, I would piece the four patches first, measure the four patch and then cut and sew the "goose" points, then cut the center.

Jan in VA

I just love your response and cheering attitude!

You could always turn them into mug rugs! I love mug rugs, you can never have too many ... they make great gifts too.

I like this idea!

I wouldn't call the blocks a failure. Mine don't always turn out the way they should either, but I still use them and once they are quilted, you really can't tell. You could square up the blocks, something I don't seem to get around to, but my quilts still are nice, even if I do say so myself.

how old is your stepdaughter? a lot of young girls just love black. if you have them all done, you would be surprised how nice it might look when it is done. finish it, and let her decide. if she is old enough. you could always maker her two.

I agree with MTS. Piece your pink blocks. Choose the smallest one and square it up. Then, trim all the other blocks to that size. THEN cut the black squares to match the pink squares. No one will be the wiser. Always trim your blocks to match the smallest one--whether they are supposed 12 1/2" or whatever. Your blocks are pretty and hopefully you can use them all. That will be a really lovely quilt. Keep on quiltin'.

I agree wholeheartedly, Sandy. Well said.

I take ufos and unloved blocks from the guild and you'd be surprised how well they can work. All quilts go through the "ugly" stage but once its'done is gets better and better

You're not a loser
 

OK, so maybe the blocks don't match perfectly, I love the pink fabrics, they are so pretty.Perhaps the black is too much of a contrast, however, you can still use the black, just cut your pink blocks to match the size of the black blocks. I've been quilting for a number of years and there have been times when my blocks go wonky. Don't despair, check the measurement of the black block, center a ruler over the pink and cut accordingly. By centering on the block,then cutting, there will not be a noticeable difference. In one of my books written by Mary Ellen Hopkins, she tells you to cut, sew, and the measurement you end up with is "your personal private measurement", as all machines aren't exactly alike. Please, don't beat yourself up, the quilt can still be saved and remember I'm sure everyone of us has had a similar experience. Just don't give up when things don't go the way we planned, just "drop back and punt" then start again. I really do love the pink fabrics that you used.

You could finish them up and donate them to a pregnancy center. Or a homeless shelter. I am sure they would love them.

it is only a failure if you do the same the next time Take some time and think back on what you did which caused the blocks to not be "correct". Was it in the cutting, the piecing or pressing. If you don't know what went wrong you don't know what to correct. Did you sew too fast. Did you pin to make them meet because the machine can work against you..........Go back and then "confess" what you did that made them the way they are. Practice only makes more perfect if you correct what was not perfect the first time. We will be waiting for your answer. lol

I disagree...I would change out the black block to white and then square it up.. I think you have a pretty quilt in the making...just saying...

I've learned from this thread so I'm really glad you were brave enough to post it. And, promise me and all of us, that you'll never call yourself a failure. Life can be tough enough without beating yourself up.

Relax! Breathe! We've all been there....:)

Not a failure, it is a learning experience..... I use that statement a lot....LOL...

Once I worked them up into smaller quilts, I realized it was a prettier set up than I thought it would be. I have to remember that people see the quilt, and the gift, not the mistakes.

I used two of the 4x5s to practice on a rented long arm machine, and the very first one that turned out funny, I gave to the shop to donate with their teaching quilts to the shelter. The second one turned out a lot better, and I finished a quilt that I have had ready to go for about 6 years. I feel really good today about finishing those. I now have a baby quilt ready for the next boy or girl. YAYAYAYAYAY.

And finally, I quilted the family reunion raffle quilt. It is by far the most ambitious quilt I have ever made. I am not 100% happy with the pattern I FMQ, but you know what? it's one of a kind, my first finished quilt and will make someone very happy to win it. It's a Karynne Original.

FMQ is a lot more difficult than it looks and I can see why the people who do it professionally, can keep doing it. I like doing it, but sometimes it's worth it to just pay someone else to do it well.

Thank you for all your kind words and ideas! Be fearless, be bold, and everything has a use even if it didn't turn out like you wanted.

The words "failure" and "useless" are two of the most destructive words in our dictionaries. Guaranteed to soul-destroy the minute they are uttered or put to paper.

Quilting, like life is all about the journey....destinations are not always as planned.

Loved this post, the replies and how it all worked out for you....happy quilting.

like your idea
 

Something was nagging at me when I saw the pictures and read your comment. I agree with MadQuilter...this is not a throw away for a pet, unless your pet is Princess Poopoo and gets all the best. The half square triangle idea sounds great! What if you used the method where you sew the two squares together all around the edge, right sides together, and then cross cut to make 4 half square triangles. How would that look? You may have to square it off first but this is definitely not a throw away!! I'm gonna keep reading to see what all these ladies are thinking...they are a great bunch!

Have you tried starching them? It's amazing what some starch and a steam iron can do.

I saw those blocks and thought -- what a marvelous modern quilt. It perhaps isn't what you first imagined, but has many possibilities. Have a look at Leah Day's site and the Free Motion Quilt along. She puts together a modern quilt very quickly and that's what I saw in your blocks.

P.S. There are no failures in quilting -- changed plans, but never failures.

amh

I agree with everyone who said you're not a failure. And here's a novel idea. If those silly little squares make you feel like a failure, chuck the little buggers into the garbage! Who said you have to use every square inch of fabric for some purpose? If you don't like it or the way it makes you feel-dump it and move on! They're your feelings - honor them!

I am sad for you that you use the word failure about yourself. Your blocks did not turn out as you wished, and you learned something from it. That is in fact a good thing- growing, learning. (And, I see from your subsequent post, you did end up with something you now feel good about, which is wonderful.)

How you think is how you feel. I advise you to guard against making a totally normal experience worse by talking it down! It's just fabric.

I could tell you you are wonderful, and that your blocks are pretty, but why do you care what I think? It's how you feel about yourself that matters and only you can change that. Please remove the word failure from your lexicon :-)