Things are just not working out.....
 

I have been quilting a year. I am learning with each new project and can see improvements. I tried so hard to have my cutting and my seams perfect with my latest project - and am so proud that they are! I just knew that this was going to be my best quilt so far. I am making a quilt called Shadowplay. The instructions have you sew pieces together and then "trim down" to 8 1/2" blocks. I did it so carefully...taking my time....not rushing, eventhough I couldn't wait to start sewing blocks and rows together.

When you trim down those blocks to 8 1/2" squares, there is absolutely no way to have them all centered exactly the same and now, my perfectly sized, perfectly cut, perfectly sewn blocks do not match up with each other and the whole quilt is not going to go together like it should.

It is so discouraging, I haven't been in my sewing room for over two weeks. I feel like I am just not capable of improving.....

My DH said to just throw the fabric and the pattern out and start over on the next project. And I was surprised that he said that so I know he is really supportive of me, bless his heart. I just hate failure. And the fabric was so pretty and I was so excited and proud.

I don't know what I want to do at this point. Have you ever been in this spot?

You definitely have my permission to dump the project but maybe there's a way to salvage a portion of it for a bag front, pillow top...or maybe a way to cut down each block matching centers before trimming? It would help to know how the mistake occurred. If you cut and sewed correctly, then the problem must have been w/ the squaring up to 8.5. until you know what went wrong, it will shake your confidence for your next project, but yes i know we've all been there...i googled the pattern and it looks difficult to me...what i saw was a tumbling block variation? if you have more than 3" pieces...just dice it up and save the scraps for something else! Over. Done. And you can move on.

Jan,

I worked on a project of my daughter and the pattern called for 287 5.5" squares. I did get in a rush and stacked the fabric to make the half square triangles so they did come out uneven. Long story short, I got a 4.5" square ruler, squared them off and put them together. The ones that didn't square up to 4.5", I set aside, I ended up putting 50 of them aside, so chances are your project can still be "saved".

In my MOST HUMBLE opinion, if they match up or not, the time and effort put into it is worth every stitch upon completion. I haven't been sewing very long myself but I've noticed improvement after moving on to the next project.

Happy Sewing/Quilting Jan!

Monique

Oh, I'm so sorry that your excitement just got flattened!! I would love to SEE the problem so everyone can offer some ideas for a solution to salvage the project. We have all had that one quilt (or more) that was so perfect until 'the horror' happened and we had to change plans in some way. But there is usually something that can be done that will make the project livable, if not lovable. So, post a picture or two so we can offer our help.

Having said all that, I threw out the 1st quilt I ever attempted because after getting it half done, I hated the way it was coming out. But, I've never had to do that again. Lesson learned! That was 40 years ago and I don't know how many quilts since.

Trash it, cut it into slices and make a Mile a Minute, continue it remembering that only God is perfect - just keep going girl - we all have made our share of wonky quilts.

I agree with nanna. Post some pics of your problem and let us see if we can find a way to help salvage your quilt. There is so much experience on this board that I am constantly learning and everyone is so helpful. If we can't find a way to fix it maybe we can suggest a way to transform it. There are never mistakes in quilting just design opportunities. :)

I'm with Swan Song, post a picture, let us help!

I wouldn't trash it. I don't trash, I reinvent. I don't like wasting. I will repurpose. I would take a picture for those in the know to figure out what can be done. It also would help if you went on to something else temporarely. Another thing I have in my head is I don't use other people's patterns. I prefer to make my own. I have seen many patterns I like, but will create my own design.

A couple of thoughts. If it's the picture I saw, and your problem is that the points don't match, perhaps you could add some sashing between each block? Then the point matching won't be so important. You might still lose a few points, depending how you trimmed, but it won't be as obvious.

For you trimming issues - pictures would help, but I think the problem was that as you said, you can't center a block. Rather than trying to do that, you should check when you are trimming that all the points you expect to have when done are exactly 1/4" from your trim line. That should keep everything square and easier to line up when you are ready to assemble.

When I need to center a trimmed block I measure from the sides to center it. Try this next time.
For now, finish your quilt top. We learn from mistakes. After its quilted it may not be as noticible as you think.

You're probably looking at it waaaaaaaaaaaaay too close. Just sew your blocks together. If they don't match perfectly at the edges, scootch them so the centers match and don't worry about the seam allowances too much. And don't forget, even if a few points get cut off it'll still be beautiful and nobody but you will notice anyway.

You might look around and see if there's a quilt shop in your area that has beginners classes. It can be extremely helpful to have somebody show you in person how to do things. For that matter it never hurts to take classes if you get the opportunity. No matter how long you've been quilting you're likely to learn at least one or two new tips every time you take a class.

I do the very same thing.. I square up, use the ones that are usable and put aside the ones that are not 'even' - those uneven, wonky ones will usually end up matching and end up being the shams, pillow cases...

I agree with Barri- if you cannot salvage them for the quilt, make pot holders, a table runner, or even a wall hanging.. Dont trash it, RE-PURPOSE it..

Kristakz has a wonderful idea that so many of us do, Sashing and rick rack help hide many, many mistakes... Many of my quilts were intended to NOT to have the sashing... but in the end it was made with love, hard work and determination and a lil bit of tweaking to conceal the mistakes..

Dont be so hard on yourself.. Keep striving to be better and remember we all learn from our mistakes... Hang in there.. Even the most experienced of quilters make mistakes.... IMHO mistakes add character....

Keep on Quilting...

You can also just it aside- do something fun , small and simple to get some good vibes going :)

Now you understand why quilters have so many WIPs ( Work in Progress) - it is ok to let it sit until you decide to tackle it again, let it sit in a corner forever, cut it up, give it away :thumbup:

I would take my squares to the local quilt shop and ask for help with it they may show you whats going wrong and help you succeed I always do this when i'm stuck and i'm stuck alot ... don't trash it go ask for help.

I agree. Go ask for help and see where your oops happened. Use this as a learning tool. That way you won't make the same mistake again.

Sorry that you are struggling this this project. I hope you can find a way to salvage it...or give it away to someone...always hate to hear of someone throwing something away. When I am squaring up pieced blocks, I usually put tape on my ruler for a registration point that will line up with a certain part of the block...that helps all the blocks turn out the same.

JMHO, but I think you should go ahead and finish. Even if you hate it (and I seriously doubt if you will), someone will love it and appreciate your efforts.

you are not the problem.
the instructions are the problem.

instructions written with the expectation that your blocks will not be the right size if you follow those instructions?

phooey on that.

if i want my blocks to be the wrong size, i don't need instructions.
i can accomplish that on my own. LOL LOL LOL

This is a opportunity to soar!! 1. Put borders around them, 2. Put them on point, 3. Cut down the middle and cross-way then rearrange. Three different ways to get a totally different quilt you made. Do you have a square ruler? Center the ruler on your squares, figure out where the 8 /1/2" square is and then cut. After looking at the pattern I think you can save the quilt by just cutting a smaller square, go down to a 8 or 7 1/2" square, remember to center the ruler on the block.

Three things come to mind when a block isn't the size it was intended. First is the ever so hard to accomplish - the perfect 1/4 seam. I can't do one without the metal attachment that screws to the bed of the machine. Even the 1/4" foot didn't work for me. Second is distorting the block with the iron when you press it. You need to press by lifting the iron when you move it - not sliding the iron. Third -should be first - is are your cuts exactly the correct size? I had to buy the June Tailor Shape Cut Ruler as I tended to go wide at the end of a cut. Another problem for me is not sewing 1/4" all the way to the end of the seam - I tend to veer to the right the last inch, but I'm working on it.

I am only six months ahead of you in time spent quilting, so my advice may not worth what an experienced quilter's is, but these are my problems. A block should need very little squaring - HSTs are a different story as I deliberately make mine a little large so they need it. I'm doing a log cabin type baby quilt now and the blocks have been perfect at every round - no squaring needed, so there is hope if you address the 1/4" seam and the pressing, IMO.

If a block isn't the right size, figure out why and resew it. I wouldn't cut it down unless there's no other way. Being a perfectionist makes quilting harder, but that's the way I am and I'm too old to change.

I love Shadowplay - it's on my bucket list, so I think it's worth working on. Can you save the blocks that are off for another project and replace the fabric to finish the quilt or follow Pat M's advice and resize the blocks? Good luck.

I know it's hard not to beat yourself over it but there is such a learning curve to quilting. As others have said you can reinvent this quilt and may even wind up with a quilt we would all like to copy off you.At the very least it could be modified and donated for a child or cancer patient somewhere Pictures would certainly help us help you. Don't fretE
HAVE SOME CHOCOLATE!!!!

This is when the creativity aspect of quilting really comes into play. My first thought was to add narrow sashing between the blocks. My second thought was to cut the blocks diagonally and put them back together with solid fabrics. My third was to cut them into strips and create a strip-pieced quilt. There are usually multiple solutions to every challenge! It would help a lot to be able to see a photo of the blocks, though.

Yet another option is to put the top away and come back to it later, when you are more experienced. Ever wonder why so many of us have UFO's? :p

I made a big quilt with tons do different blocks. Each block contains a new technique I wanted to try out. I also machine quilted for the first time. I made TONS of mistakes on this quilt. I learned how to: "lock" seams together so seams line up, tried circles without appliqué (disliked it), machine appliqué (disliked it) fancy stitches on the machine, floating stars (loved them), Y seams (disliked it, won't do it again) and other techniques. The finished quilt gets thrown down on soccer fields and amazingly, I get lots of compliments! I learned a ton and made a utility quilt at the same time.

I mean no disrespect to Eleanor Burns but I won't use her patterns because of the "cut down" method she recommends. Her quilts are beautiful but I want to make a block that is the correct size the first time and if it's not, it's MY mistake, not because the pattern makes it larger so I can "cut down" to the correct size.
I agree with all the suggestions--try resizing your blocks by making them smaller or adding borders. Or just do what I do when I have a project I don't care for; I put it in The Box That Shall Never Be Opened. (My heirs can deal with all those LOL).

You might enjoy reading this thread posted by another member of the board today. Belive me, you are not alone and this will probably not be the last time you make a mistake. We all do our share of them. You will figure out a way to make it so you can enjoy it for a long time.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...d-t197928.html

Don't get too discouraged. I threaten to quit any and all quilting at least a couple of times a year. Sometimes you need to step away from the project, sometimes just abandon it. You can only do your very best. I have been quilting since the mid 70's and to be very honest, no matter how careful I am cutting, sewing, and reading the patterns, I still screw up. It used to drive me crazy. We always our worse critics. Everything you do, you are learning and getting better. It isn't always human error either. Patterns get written incorrectly, fabric stretches, machines pull the fabric....it's actually a wonder that anything comes out right.

First, I want to say that there is a lot of good advice on this thread. As someone said, lots of experience here. If you are still reading this, please post pictures. They help me all the time!! (Board members that is.)

Second, while I agree with others here, don't trash.........I would like to say "yay for your hubby!!!" Sounds like he is just trying to support you and doesn't want to see you frustated. How sweet is that?!?!?!

Good luck and let us know what you end up doing with your project!

I would put it aside for now and start a new project. Pull it out later....even a year from now...and by then you will be experienced enough to have some ideas for it. I just pulled out a quilt project I had given up on last year, and I found that it wasn't as bad as I remembered. I have a pretty nifty quilt now.

Of course, I don't mean to tell you what to do, not really. That is just what I would do. Lots of good advice here.

At any rate, go back in your sewing room and make something...maybe a coaster or something, just so you feel better about sewing. :)

DIna

If possible, make wonky blocks out of them & put a sashing around each block. Don't toss it, just revamp it.

I am still learning and absorbing new ways of doing things after making a number of my own quilts. I've spent the majority of my time perfecting long arm quilting with classes and practice instead of piecing. I found the videos on The Quilt Show worth the price of membership. Especially some I've been watching on precision piecing. You sound like me, a "perfectionist". I am learning to be patient and give myself time to learn. Follow the advice given here - set it aside for a time then come back to it with fresh eyes and more experience. You will then be able to appreciate the nice work you did on the blocks and figure a way to recut, sash or some other method of putting them together in a quilt.

I agree -- don't trash it. I also agree that it would help going forward if you can figure out what went wrong, but maybe setting it aside and doing something else before going back to it will work better.

I have had this problem (most of us have). I have added sashing between the blocks, I have remeasured and adjusted the seams of the smaller blocks. I frequently make the blocks larger so I can trim them to size (especially HSTs), but I also make more blocks than I need so I can use the best ones. Sometimes a good night sleep helps me see things better, but sometimes I just put the project aside and go back to it later. I find that the more I piece the better I do, but if I have a lot of time between sewing sessions it is like I have to start all over.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do -- but don't let one problem kill the pleasure of making a quilt.

You have been given some wonderful advise. Remember that a quilt made from very pretty fabric doesn't show the mistakes that you see. It still stays pretty and will still keep you warm. One of my favorite quilts has the most flaws but since the fabric is so pretty, no one seems to notice. Just don't give up. I have made 4 practice squares of a new pattern out of scraps before diving into a costly project. Those practice squares became table topper gifts.

I agree with everyone who suggests that you don't trash your quilt. The first quilt top I made a few years ago is my favorite. It isn't perfect because it was my first and I was so new to quilting that I was petrified about starting - from cutting my beautiful fabrics to squaring the blocks. Well, I finally dove in and I loved working with the fabrics. My DH was a Godsend to me with his eye for design. He helped me along the way by questioning me about what I had done and making suggestions in such a supporting manner that I didn't give up. So please share your pictures and let others here guide and support you. :) :) :)

You are all such special people. Thank you so much for your support. You honestly encouraged me to the point that I went into my sewing room and reevaluated the quilt. I have 80 squares sewn into 10 rows with 8 blocks in each row.

Last night, I ripped and trimmed and sewed the first row over. It may be a little smaller, but the points do all match now. I think I can make all the rows work. We will see what happens when I try to sew the rows together. I might be back with pictures for more help. If not, I will post pictures of the quilt top when completed.

Thank you all so much for your support and advice.

Hey, not everything comes out the way we want it to. Funny, my tablerunners are always worse than my quilts. I think because I get in a hurry due to the small size. I just need to slow down and take the same care with the runners as I do with large quilts. I have a "shadowplay" UFO in my drawer. I need to trash it too. I hate my fabric choices. It happens.

Keep quilting. A year is not a long time to throw the towel in?
sandy

I am so glad everyone here was able to cheer you up, and give you the motivation to go back and reevaluate your quilt. I am a new quilter as well, and I am sure I will be where you are one of these days soon. But, as a long time sewer I can tell you some thing I learned long ago. IF it seems to not make sense, or its not going together right, sometimes it means you need to take a break from it. It always seemed like the next day, I wondered why I had such a problem with the pattern I was looking at. It was perfectly clear the next day, or went together without a hitch. Best of luck and cannot wait to see the pictures !!

This has happened to most of us at some time. Don't let it dissuade you. Just remember quilting is meant to be fun. Put this aside for now, maybe you will find a different use for the fabric and it will still be beautiful. Don't give in as that is a rather ambitious quilt pattern for a relatively new quilter. Put it aside and maybe try again after you have made a few straight forward quilts. Happy Quilting and don't forget the quilt will be just as warm and loving even if all your seams don't match.