I wanted to share my recent experience in how I dealt with a mistake I noticed after my top was complete.

I recently posted a picture of my first paper pieced project here
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-32966-1.htm.

I didn't notice until I was showing it off at work that I had made a mistake on one of the waves. My first thought was "oh, crap, what do I do now?" I thought about my various options to correct it. I could
1) tear it apart and re-do that section
2) applique the correct color over the incorrect one
3) applique something decorative over the mistake

Well, I was afraid if I tore it apart, I'd lose interest and put it aside. Not a good option as this was an overdue wedding gift. Plus, I had already started stitching in the ditch. If the quilt was for me, I might have opted for #2 and just appliqued the correct color. I decided to see what I could find to do a decorative applique.

I was lucky, my LQS just happened to have a fabric with dolphins the perfect size to fix my problem. So I cut out several dolphins and added them to the quilt. Using just one would probably be too obvious. So by using several, it looks more intentional. It was a little more difficult to machine stitch around the appliques, but I took my time and I'm very pleased with the outcome.

Moral of the story, if you make a mistake, don't panic! Sit back and think of your options, and choose one that works for you. :)

Great fix!! How cute!!

Very clever.

Clever girl!

Awesome fix!

cool

Too cute!

I have cut my finished quilts with scissors while snipping threads. I must say it is quite frustrating. I appliqued stars over it and it turned out great!

Your finished fix looks like it belongs there. Good Job!!

Very nice fix! It looks great!

I think it turned out better then the way it was supose to - go girl

Now that is really thinking "outside the box" Way to go! Excellent save!

Excellent!

It looks very intentional! Nice job.

Thanks everyone! Here's a better picture of the finished top.

So pretty! The dolphin leaping out of the water looks great - really original and much better than it would have looked without it. Love your colors too.

I love it! What a great idea! You know there are never mistakes in quilting........only creative adjustments!!

Oh, my.........what a beautiful coverup story.......I read just recently, that this kind of experience is where "applique" first got its start........The applique technique has saved many a quilt here in my house. One mistake I made caused me to put a very pretty applique (went across the bottom, up the center and then with branches and flowers coming out from that)...It was quite dramatic and is one of my favorite quilts (a gift for a family member).......

You're smarter than the average dolphin ;)

FANTASTIC!!!

Creative Adjustments...I love it!

Very cute idea.

What a great fix! Nice job.

Perfect solution

You are a smart cookie.

Amen to that and you found the best of 'creative adjustments!!'

That was a lucky mistake because it is darling with the dolphins and looks like that's the way it should have been! Sometimes there's happy accidents!

I think the addition of the dolphins and fish make your quilt much more interesting...and it is a "one of a kind now" I love it!!! Very creative and clever :D:D:D

I love it!!! You did a fantastic job of covering your oops!!!

What a great fix. It makes the quilt even better.

What a brilliant idea..a perfect solution...and I love the quilt!

So when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. Great story and beautiful quilt.

Great fix know one would even know!
reminds me when I bought my first prom dress, it had a hole in the sleeve (we wore long sleeves back then)it was shaffon.
Got it cheap because of the hole,bought applique flowers ,sewed them on. Presto it worked. Got to the prom and saw my same dress. without the flowers on the sleeves. Everyone liked mine better.

Wow! Wonderful idea! And I really think it makes the quilt unique and truly one of a kind! Way to go!

I recently read somewhere that if you run out of fabric not to panic because a creative fix might even make the quilt more interesting. That's exactly what you did! The quilt is even better than it would have been without the fix. Very clever.

You did it! You hid your mistake and actually enhanced your quilt. I think it looks great.

That is so cute. What a great job. I think your little "goof" added to the quilt.
Great job.

I love it-you did a fabulous job and personally I think the oops happened for a reason :-)
Hugs
April

The dolphins and fish "make" this quilt. They bring life to your quilt. You Rock!

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!

you made a great save I like it better with the dolphins