Note to Self: Make Test Block First
 

beatys9 had made a gorgeous quilt in a pattern that I think is called Zen...something.

Not having instructions, I thought I could figure it out. Well, I have done a whole of cutting in the last two days, and today, when I started to sew, I found some of my sizes are off. Now, I am not sure if I want to go ahead or just make something else. There are a lot of 2 1/2's by whatever..... that I can do other things with. Will have to sit and stare at it for a while and see what it will become.

Tell me I am not alone. That I am not stupid.

You are not alone and you are not stupid LOL. I hate to get a pattern and it only gives directions for cutting all the blocks at once. I like to just make one block to see if I like it or if the pieces fit or whatever. I'd prefer directions for just one block and then I could multiply the number of pieces if I want to make more.

I'm sure you'll find something to do with all those pieces. Just keep staring at them, maybe with a glass of wine in one hand and a piece of chocolate in the other.

Yup, you are not alone. Been there, done that. More than once. :)

Dina

I have a lot of "test" blocks. Went into my scraps. One thing I did after test blocks, I threw into washer. Tossed color catchers in even though prewashed 2-3 times. Bled all over some tests. Took those fabrics and washed couple more times. So if you're going to test might be good to test for bleed.

You are perfectly normal. I have done the same thing a number of times. But, I could always come up with something the eventually worked. Don't give up.

Write it on the front of your sewing machine. A lifetime ago I was always eager to jump in and start sewing pieces and always, I was disappointed in my results. Now, a lifetime later, I always cut one block and piece it for fit and likability. If it works for me, I continue.
I am happy.:D
peace

Good reminder for us all. Been there too!!

I have quite an orphan block collection. I do admire those people that can take failed orphan blocks and piece them into great quilts, I am not one of them. Someone can decide what to do with my failed attempts after I am gone.:D

I made a test pinwheel block one time and the test block was the best one of the whole quilt. LOL

Yes, been there done that. That is why I like EQ so much. With the block instructions printed out, it clearly tell you what to cut to what size.

You are not stupid! You know that saying...measure twice, cut once? Well, not only did I measure three times, I wrote the measures down and still cut the fabric too small. Cutting the fabric larger would have been too easy!

How do you get block instructions printed from EQ?

And as far as test blocks, been there done that plenty of times. The last quilt I made I sewed everything upside down. Instead of ripping I came up with a new quilt. Didn't look too bad.

I'm glad I read this post! Yesterday, I drew up a design for a quilt and worked out all the block sizes for cutting. Being someone who gets overly excited about starting new projects, I had visions of cutting all the fabric this coming weekend. Then a voice in my head (yes, I have them:cool:) said, "Maybe you should make a test block first to make sure your calculations are correct". Another voice spoke a bit louder and said "Nahhh, waste of time, just get started". Well, now I certainly know which little voice I'm going to listen to! (And the rest of them that natter around in the background, I'm just going to ignore :))

Been there done that, more than once. Sometimes, I'm so excited by a new block, I forget the test block also. Not a good thing. My recent favorite hint from someone on the Board was to make test blocks red white and blue. That way those orphan blocks make a great patriotic scrappy. Luckily, my Bee takes test blocks, we call dog blocks and makes Community quilts out of them.

It is sooooeasy to make a mis-cut,I now call them mess cuts. However, I always find a use for them, and for my orphan blocks, too. Mess cuts can be pieced together and always make a wonderful tote bag, for instance. I am working on a cotton scrap crazy quilt, and it doesn't matter about the size of the fabric as long as it's at least an inch. .
So fear not, you will find a use for the fabrics and you will enjoy making the test blocks in the future. I make my test block out of anything I happen to have, just to make sure the sizes are right and I enjoy making the block. In the beginning, I thought making the test was 'wasteful.' I have now decided otherwise.

A good tip I once heard is make a test block out of Christmas fabrics. Eventually you can make a quit out of them. I do it with patriotic colors. I have had blocks where I would never want to make into a while quilt.

I was all set to Start a wedding quilt for GS2. I had the fabric and the pattern which was in a popular magazine. I decided to test the whole process by making a lap quilt in another fabric, actually a jelly roll, just to be sure I would like it finished. I only worked on one block and discovered the pattern was printed wrong. I Was able to see the mistake and so only lost one strip from my roll. So even printed directions have to be checked out. Whew! So glad I tested.

You are not alone! I just made an entire quilt top without measuring the block size. I made each block 2 inches bigger than I was suppose to. It sits in the corner now waiting for me to decide what to do with it.

This is a very cool idea. If you make all your test blocks in a few of your favorite colors you can't go wrong!
peace

I finally figured out to cut and sew my test blocks using paper not fabric. I have issues with potentially sacrificing even my scraps for my tests. The best part of using paper to sew on is there is no bias ... so when you get the dimensions right , you never have to wonder when you are constructing if it stretched or are the cutting dimensions wrong . If you get it all to work with your paper block , you know you can proceed with confidence.

I have a lot of totes that started life as quilt blocks! They look great and no one knows they aren't what they're 'supposed' to be. The red, white, and blue idea is good, too!

You are definitely not alone. We have all done that I think. You will get it figured out.

Oh my been there, done that. I might add after you cut label components too esp if lots of similar size pieces. I did not do that on a king size quilt I made, plus no test blocks. A few weeks later when I finally started piecing I could not figure out what went where and so on. I've never been so frustrated in my life. I now keep stcky notes on literally every piece and pile and put scraps in ziplock labeled as scraps.

I went to the quilt show in Oaks, and one of the quilts was done by a woman who took all of her orphan blocks that she did maybe one or two of and then threw them in a drawer and decided one day to get them all out and make a quilt. It is absolutely beautiful.

When I see a project/block I really like I will make a test block. I usually draw it out first and then do the test block. Right now I have a bunch of "fall" test block that will turn into SOMETHING at some point.

I always do a test block first if I am making anything except 9 or 10" squares. That way, if my sizes are off, and they usually are, I can adjust before I start cutting

That is why i make test blocks first.

You have lots of company! I also have done the same thing. Something I did with some of my 'test' blocks, orphan blocks, ect, was to save until I had quite a few. Then I made a back-of-the-devan cover. It turned out really pretty, and I got a Red Ribbon at the County Fair, and lots of compliments. So, there is "light at the end of the tunnel." Mariah

You are neither alone or stupid - been there, done that many times. I too don't like getting cutting directions for an entire quilt unless I have made that quilt many times before and even then I can get confused and mess up. It happens.

As much as I hate to say it I have done it.

When I went to use a new ruler, I was a little confused on the instructions how to make the block with their instructions compared to the pattern instructions so I made a sample first. After that the instructions seemed as clear as day to me but before that I was clueless.

Also when I print out a quilt pattern I made using EQ7 I make a sample block to be sure it's coming out exactly as I wanted it to.

I agree with JanRn!

You're definitely not alone, or stupid! I'm lucky to have a quilting buddy (my mom) who can help me fix pretty much any mistake; it would feel a lot worse when I do things like that if I didn't have her.

I did learn a long time ago to make test blocks, and (almost) always do now. I have a set of fabric that I always use for tests... it never occurred to me until reading this thread, but I guess those test blocks will make a pretty quilt some day.

I don't know if this will help you, but I'd love it if you would post the fabric and cut sizes, to see if anyone can come up with a new pattern (or fix to your plan) using what you have. It would be a shame to waste all the time and effort you've put in so far, and someone might come up with something really cool.

Thanks for all the support. I'm so glad that I am not alone when it comes to flying into the next project.

It turns out that it's not as bad as I thought. When I ironed the pieced block, it is just a smidge smaller than the larger piece. Maybe I can just slice a bit off.

Oh beleive me i have done the same thing!