We went to visit my MIL last week (4.5hrs away) and her daughter that lives around the corner from her does an awful lot for her, errands, doctor's appt and shopping came over for a visit while we were there. On our way home, I stated I should make her a quilt, because of all she does for their mother, it makes all our lives alittle easier. Anyway, came home and dug out a Joanns Quiltblocks kit I had bought 3 years ago, and went to work. Last night I went to put it together and realized I didn't buy the setting kit. Also, two of the blocks require 2 more of each block and the kit said make 2, not 4, and there is no more fabric. I have put alot of work into this, and really don't know what to do next. Should I scrap the project and start something new? The kit is called Mandarin Maze. I am so mad at myself right now, and the frustration level has gone through the roof. If any of you wonderful board members have any suggestions, I would like to hear them. I know this is a long post, but, I really don't know where else to turn.

Did you try looking on ebay? Maybe put a classifed ad on this board? Maybe someone has one?
Here is one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/QUILT-BLOCK-MONT...item3366a3c302

Post a picture of what you have done and I'm sure someone on this board will be able to give you some ideas of ways to salvage your project.

As for the kit, why would a kit not have enough fabric to make the required blocks? and of course you can't take it back at this late date.

Good luck. I'm sure it will be beautiful when done. It's nice of you to make this for her.

Maybe fill the spaces with photos?

post a picture, someone might have some of the fabric. I would not give up on it. ALso do an internet search for the fabric, you may find it there

Thankyou soooooo much. I looked on ebay for over an hour and couldn't find it. You are a doll!!!!

Hope you can finish it up!

No problem. I hope you finish it. Please post pictures when you finish it.

Post a picture of what you have done already. Hopefully someone here can suggest other ideas. Don't give up.

I don't want to scrap this project, and another board member found it on ebay for me. I have also emailed Joann's and they said they would get back to me shortly.

I had the same problem with that kit - it's been started for a long time. Anyway, I got half yard pieces of the fabric on ebay and cut my own pieces. I still don't have a setting kit, but will figure something out if I ever finish the blocks. I am stalled at the applique. Not interested in it. I might use the fabric and recreate some of the other blocks. Won't be the same, but, oh well, would move it from UFO to complete.

I'm glad you found what you need. Will be looking for a picture of it completed - I'm hoping it will inspire me!!

Sorry to hear that but I agree with the others, post a pic & perhaps some of us can help with ideas or maybe someone may have the kits & never used them. I have some block of the months from JoAnns that my dear friend started but never finished & was given when she passed away. I will never use them but would be more than glad to help someone out if they were doing the same quilt.

This might be a wake up call to all of us.

AS SOON AS YOU GET A SEALED PACKAGE HOME, CHECK TO SEE THAT EVERY PIECE IS PRESENT.

Then you will still have the receipt and can take it back for either a refund, or a new package (WHICH YOU CAN AND SHOLD CHECK RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF THEM)

This is what the setting kit looks like, but, if you have ANY of it, I would be glad to buy it from you.

You are absolutely right! And, DON'T leave them for years, before you attempt them...the fabric is discontinued very quickly.

How about putting in a request for this in the Classified Section?

Also, you could post in www.missingfabrics.com and/or www.fabrics.net

Joann's emailed me back and said they would send me the instructuins for the setting kit, but, unfortunately the fabric was no longer available, either in their stores or on the web. I guess I'll just cross all fingers and any other crossable body part and pray I win the bid on ebay for the setting kit.

I guess I'm going to have to find some fabric that goes well enough. It's just for me though so I'm not too worried about it. Will look forward to seeing yours so I cam see what a "real" one should look like.

Can't blame you for being frustrated. I would try to find coordinates and finish it. After all , you have a lot invested in it already. I'm sorry this happened to you.

Why not use the two blocks you need to identify the quilt and dedicate it to her. It, then, could be different than the rest of the quilt.

Please show us what you have made so far. There may be a way that you could combine other fabric or solids etc into your quilt but we are stabbing in the dark without a picture to go by.Don't be too upset - there is usually a way around it all.

Can't you use something from your stash? I find when that happens to me, I end up with something even prettier than I thought I was going to have. Kits don't have to look like the picture! Good luck.

Hope you find your pieces.

Glad you are going to be able to finish it....its a really pretty quilt!

My mom did the same thing, she decided that with all her "scraps" from her existing blocks, she made a similar block(s) that she was missing! AND no one knew she was missing the "pattern" block, well until she told them! LOL just a thought :)

Thanks for the heads-up about kits from Joann's. Hope you are now able to finish the project thanks to help from fellow quilters. Great! isn't it?

I just finished this kit. I have 7 fat quarters and about 50" of the red fabric #8709289 plus a few small scraps. I will be happy to mail it to you. The red fabric is still available at Joann Fabric but it has a different # now. e-mail me your address and I will send what I have. Betty
[email protected]

Consider your pattern "the general idea" or a "guide" and now make lemonade from your "lemon"--Once you begin to think about it in a different way that the picture, you'll come up with an arrangement that works, altho it may be quite different than the original pattern. Just be creative and don't feel the finished quilt has to be exactly like the picture on the kit.
You will have a great quilt. Don't forget to show us.
I agree with others, if you'd show us what you have done so far, some of these creative ladies would have ideas on how to use them for a beautiful top. Also, remember your SIL hasn't seen the picture, so she will have no idea. Besides she will be getting an original and that is the greatest.

I feel your pain. The same thing happened to me with that exact pattern. Someone on the board was nice enough to send me the directions, but it bogged me down and I put it somewhere (who knows where?) without finishing it. I did have extra yardage that I could cut, but what I did with it is beyond me.

Just add different fabrics - either within the color way dots along what you have, or use complementary ones from the opposite side of the color wheel. You can never use too many fabrics in a quilt. It makes your eyes dance over the surface rather than "skim" the design because it is planned and predictable. You could add a setting (new) fabric and put some pieced or machine applique pieces (that came with the kit) in or along the top of the border/setting (new) fabric to tie it all together. Good luck.

You are certainly one of the "quilting angels" of this board. So glad somebody was able to help so she can finish her quilt of love. I am always in awe of quilters and their wonderful generosity. People on this board ARE THE BEST!

Listen to your intention of why you want to make her a quilt. Your intention is one of gratitude and love for what she does for your MIL, and, in turn, making it easier for the rest of the family.
Start something new and special for her. You can use this frustrating project for some other time and use. It sounds like she deserves your talents with that special, non-aggravating project just for her.
Your gratitude is admirable.

Don't give up. One of the prettiest quilts I ever made came about because I just didn't have enough fabric to make the blocks I needed. I wound up setting it on point and filling the outside borders with a coordinating print. What I'm trying (badly) to say, is that sometimes, you will get more creative if you are pushed. Stay with it even if you can't find your kits. You might come up with something wonderful.

Post here, look on EBAY, & CHECK JOANN's- even though the kits are gone some of the fabric may still be in the reg line I bought a kit on closeout, then found I needed more,over 3years later---found 3 of the fabrics, still available by the yard!! My sister actually found a 4th fabric for the back @ WALMART for $2.00 a yd. good luck!!

Hi ,
I have 2 of the Manderin Maze blocks for you to make.
#8 and #12. I also have 1 yard of the burgandy floral. I would be happy to send them to you if you still need them.
Lorraine

The stores carry paper backed fabric 8x11 for inkjet printers.If you don't need yards of fabric,scan a piece of your fabric and print it out on the paper backed fabric, see how it matches and maybe that would be enough to see you through. Just an idea.

Since I do not know what a "setting fabric" is I am no help there but I wonder if you could use what you made for a nice long body pillow that is cozy to rest against for your own use or a table topper -- or use the squares you made on point and build out with other fabric into a upper and lower rectangle attached or 4 large square that could be 2 upper 2 lower corners. Wish you the best of luck.Zoey

Oh, there are angels everywhere on this board! Please show us your quilt when you get it completed!

All I can say is "Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou" The people on this board are truly amazing. I have had several responses to my dilema and a few of the board members are sending me the fabric or leftovers from their kits or various blocks @ no charge and some for a very low flat rate. I cannot express my gratitude enough for the generousity of this group. How does one ever repay their generousity? There are many "Angels" in this group, and I am very fortunate and proud to be a part of it.

I too found myself short of fabric for a purchased kit. I just made it smaller. Pegeth.
PS Now I check out the kits as soon as it is mine. (after paying)