Someday I will learn to read the pattern! Maybe
 

I am working on a star block quilt. The instructions are not well done, there is no placement diagram, and the picture is of the quilt on a table and taken from an angle - you see the borders well, but the top - not so much. BUT even given that if I had REALLY looked hard I would NOT have made the stars scrappy. When I really look at it I see the stars are all the same print and the gingham borders around them are the same, too. Like --- a red star with a yellow sashing. But not mine. Nope - mine are scrappy, scrappy. Since I plan to keep this and use it as a table cloth on my kitchen table - no big deal, but SOMEDAY I will REALLY read the pattern. Maybe.

The first pick is my biggest excuse - I'm currently working on a different star block project which IS scrappy.

I like it!

Since it's what I THOUGHT it was supposed to be I'm okay with it. I'm NOT going to even think about whether I would have preferred it the other way. But ... I keep doing this... read enough to get started - maybe even glance all the way through then ... Hannah, bar the door - I'm on my way. Full speed ahead. Then too often ... whoops - there it is! Something that's not quite how I thought it was and I have to spend time adjusting what I thought was there to what's really there. Sigh. Someday, someday, someday!

I think it looks terrific the way it is! I love the gingham frames. It's so cheerful and fun.

I'm not usually a fan of gingham but I like this, I like it a lot! Maybe it's because you made it scrappy!

okay, okay ... I am by nature and rearing a follower of rules. Quilting has brought out both an ADD and an OCD that I wasn't aware I had. Here's what I'm going to do ... the pattern calls for 30 blocks - 1 becomes an orphan, 4 are cornerstones and the other 25 make up the top. SO ... the 5 I've made scrappy - one will be the orphan, 4 will be the cornerstones (since it to be a table cover those will hang over the sides). I'll make the rest to match cause ... I really like it better. There! I said it - AND I don't have to rip.

The dark star blocks I'm making are made of 30 different fabrics. These little ones are just 10 fabrics. I think that's what bothered me the most - not enough scrappy to be truly scrappy. So the new ones will look like this:

Now that I see it, I do like it better although the scrappy was pretty too!

i think you came up with a good solution... one that makes you happy. thus, it is the right way to do your quilt :)

I like them both, consider what you think of as a mistake as your unique twist on a pattern.

When a quilter makes a mistake - just call it creativity and continue on. Folks will think you are so artistic and clever

One time I pieced the back of a crib quilt. Folks comment more on that than thefront. I was just trying to use up all the left over fabric and not have an unwanted stash left behind

I love the gingham blocks-they are sew cheerful

My dad always told me that when all else failed read the instuctions.lol

I love the way yours is turning out - bright cheerful. I think the center of the star is "less busy" this way.

I like both blocks, they're very bright and springy. As long as you like it though, that's all that matters! :)

Love your fabrics!! I love gingham, polka dots and plaids. I try to add one of them to every quilt I make, nice break from florals, and blenders.

Quilters are problem solvers!!!

You are well on your way now to making a very happy quilt. Love it.

Good problem solving but I liked the scrappy one better. Just MHO.

Now, I'm not new to sewing, so I know what a stash is. However, I have never heard of an "unwanted stash". Is there such a thing? LOL

Both of them look really good!!!!

Hmmm... I'm sure your tablecloth will look great with any fabrics, but I still REALLY like the scrappy ones. I like that fabric line you're using too.

I like them both! Great job!

I really like the scrappy stars.

Shhhh-we won't tell anyone!

Your quilt - your rules. That said, I agree that it is a good idea to scan the ENTIRE pattern BEFORE cutting anything. Sometimes you realize a different way to do it that works better than the original pattern OR you catch a mistake OR you realize that there is really a method to the pattern. I have been bitte by the same bug as you and had to figure out modifications later. Regardless, this quilt will be very pretty.

Of course it's perfect, you PLANNED it that way. We are suposed to READ the pattern? I thought looking at the pictures was good enough!

I really like it. Nice colors.

The dark star is so much more to my liking because it is a creative response. Patterns are just a hint of what things could be. How many times have people remarked they put their own twist on something, or could not find the identical fabric and end up making something that is their own! It is so hard to get into someone mind set that we rather blame ourselves for making something less than identical. All you really need is the spirit that draws your plans together and sets you off on a new path.....enjoying the difference.

he he...you aren't alone...I am not a very patient person I usually just read enough to get me going.....I love your star and I really like the colors if the second pic.

Sew like both of them!!!

Looks great either way
 

I like both ways. I do understand the reading the pattern part. I've been known to start reading and even read the line that says "read the whole pattern before starting." Of course I don't, that would take time away from quilting. I've learned that wasted time will be made up not ripping stuff out. Live and learn

I like this one better. You did great, go for it. :)

hahah OCD & ADD ? well in that case I am right there with you !LOL I have had my share of that while quilting/sewing/crafting ! But like all quilters/sewers/crafters-we take the good with the bad and (hopefully) learn from our ummm mistakes as we call them and don't repeat em !LOL Love your solutions !

I liked the scrappy look better, but you have to do what you can live with. So glad you figured out a solution without having to rip or waste. Good job!

I have seen those lemoyne or 8 pt stars and really all stars done scrappy it looks great.

I love the gingham and the 30's prints in your quilt. You are going to have a beautiful quilt when it is done. Please post a picture of the finished quilt.

you are suppose to READ the pattern?!?! :D

I like the first block very much. I think it would look great. The gingham blocks are pretty too.