ok, I'm having a crisis of ability.

I WANT to be a quilter. I understand that cutting is the foundation that quilts are built on and that accurate cutting leads to accurate piecing leads to accurate block sizes leads to quilt tops that lay flat leads to quilts that rock.


I'm making blocks for my first swap and am ready to put them in the bonfire. The points don't line up no matter how many times I take them out and put them back togehter. I've made sure all the seams are pressed correctly - I think I have used a whole bottle of Best Press on 12 not-yet-assembled blocks!


Maybe it's time for me to admit that for the first time in 46 years I've tried to do something that is just beyond me. I keep thinking this should be the perfect fit for me - I love, love, love Math (I have a degree in Applied Math!) - and jigsaw puzzles - if one is out I'm banned from the room it's in because my family knows I will stay up all night finishing it!

There may be a giant de-stash sale hitting the classified board today ....

:cry: :cry: :cry:

Oh nooooo don't give up i struggle also, horribly yet i still plow on perhaps you should give paper peicing a try, its the one thing I can do with out so many issues, but cutting fabric lining this up is a huge headach for me and I don't enjoy it but PP gives me something to enjoy with great lines.

So sorry you've hit a "road block." Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. :-D

I wish I could help...I have never been properly taught to rotary cut, but just do the best I can from what I see/ read online. I know they are off at times and I have no clue how someone squares up big pieces of fabric/ quilts!! I believe this is why I have yet to do anything but a rag quilt, because I know it will be a disaster and the disappointment will be too much. I hate when I can't do something perfectly-Grrr

Don't be so hard on yourself. It does take some time and practice, but every time you do a project, you'll get a bit better.

As far as perfection - well, it's over rated. I'm not suggesting that you do shoddy work, whether it's for yourself, a swap or a gift. Look at the overall piece, rather than a point or two that is missing or floating when it shouldn't be.

If you really don't think your work is up to par at this point, explain that to the hostess, then use the blocks to make a charity quilt. If you can relax a bit so that you enjoy the process, some day you'll look back and be glad you didn't give up.

Don't give up! I learned to sew as a child and I remember many times shedding tears while I was using the seam ripper because Mom wasn't happy with the job I'd done. What you need is a mentor. Go to your local quilt shop and sign up for a class, if that's not an option there are lots of excellent teachers here on this site. Maybe do a variety of different blocks, not all with points, till you get to a better comfort zone. www.quilterscache.com has lots of free block patterns. We all have different parts of quilting that we like the best. Don't give up, you will find your favorite. PM me if you like. Hugs, Terry

Paper Piecing might be just the thing to encourage you - the points and seams line up no matter what you do. But you also need to remember that quilting is a journey, not a destination and much of that journey is spent improving our skills. You are not going to be perfect immediately and you need to give yourself permission to be less than perfect.

I started quilting in 1989 and still screw up plenty. Seams that don't match up or a block that is a little smaller than it should be. Like you, I usually do things with ease but quilting keeps me humble. :wink:

Stick with it - you're going to be just fine.

Please do not give up!
If your fabric is unwashed and you spray your blocks/block pieces with water or starch and then press, your fabric may shrink and give you problems.

If your fabric is prewashed, and you wet the pieces with water or starch, it is also easy to distort them, no matter how hard you try to press correctly.

I only starch before I start cutting my fabric, leaving the fabric dry during the piecing process.
I may add a drop of water to an intersection or dampen my finger and lightly wet just the seam area to conquer a stubborn seam that doesn't want to lay nicely, but that is all that I ever dampen.

If you can post pictures of this block and what you have so far, we can help walk you through it too :D:D:D

If you use Eleanor Burns methods, which you cut bigger and cut down to size, you wont have a problem.
If I cut to size mine will not turn out right either.
I belong to a group of quilters and all our blocks have to be a certain size and now I dont have a problem.
Please dont give up, it is a learning curve so be sure and try Burns methods. Her shows are on http://quilterstv.com and at her website http://quiltinaday.com
Quilting keeps your brain in tune also.

SharBear,
I admire your persistance thus far. There are really two keys for precise blocks, and cutting is the first.

The second key is the accurate 1/4 inch seam. I struggled for years with my blocks and didn't know why. I cut perfectly. I had a 1/4 inch foot on my machine. Blocks were not right and I redid each one several times. Then one day, I measured my seams. They were too big. It occurred to me (by reading my owners manual for the machine thoroughly, and by reading a few magazines) that there was a way to move my needle over two clicks to the right. This realization, in conjunction with my 1/4 inch foot (which only guides the material along) has made the whole difference.

Before you throw in the towel, try this: sew two strips of fabric together. Say your strips are cut perfectly at 2.5" x 6". Sew them together along the long side. Open, and press, then measure the width of the two strips together. The width should be 4.5". If not, then see if you can adjust your needle position.

PS
I also love the applied math aspect of quilting.

Good luck.

Please don't give up. It sounds like you have started some blocks that are beyond your current skill level. Start with some easy blocks (like no triangles).

I deliberately pick block patterns that I feel confident that I will be successful. That's the fun for me, anyway. If a project becomes frustrating, it becomes a UFO.

I have such admiration for some of the quilters on the board who post pictures of incredibly difficult designs. I admire them and think, "maybe some day, I can do things like that..." There are so many things to learn to become a quilter, we are all learning.....but please don't give up......

A beginning quilt class is a good start to go over all of the basics. Even if you've been quilting for awhile, you'll pick up tips. One of our favorite teachers in my area has been quilting since she was 13 (she now has grandchildren) and the things she knows and is so willing to share..

And once again, please don't give up---

Dear Sharon,

Don't dispair. When I started quilt work back in 1995, my work was a mess. There is so much to learn. I kept up and you know, it's still not perfect but I'm enjoying the process. Some good advise I can see from other answers. Take classes. If you can afford a beginners class, that would be a big help. Someone mentioned paper piecing. That really helped me to get my points together. ...and there are so many books out there that can be helpful plus free instructions on the web.

and eventually, you'll find your niche or the type of quilting you feel most comfortable with. There are so many choices now. I found mine in hand piecing, quilting, applique. My best friend found hers in art quilts. Another friend just loves all by machine. Keep at it.

Happy Quilting. :thumbup:

um how long have you been quilting? I think your too hard on yourself, I am not meaning to offend you..........remember when you remove a seam even very carefull there is some stretch that will occur. In addition quilting involves mechanics too, cutting your fabric and even where you sit at your sewing machine. Sitting slightly to the left or right of your needle can change your sight even 1/8 th of an inch.
Perhaps you need to hear me say..........it will never be noticed by a man riding by on a galloping horse..............and like a previous post, the PP method is very acurate and that your work probably isn't shoddy or sloppy..............take a breath.........skills will improve..........your math skills are needed in my household now..........with a quilting pattern written for 6 blocks.............girls .....however I want them in different dresses....................sheesh..............I was a dreamer in algerbra................calla...............hee hee hee

I can only add to all the above...Trust me I shake my head and wish I could reclaim some of my original gift quilts to family members. Everyday I look at things and say "you've so improved" and what helps more for me is the challenge of joining some of the site's swaps because it encourages me to do blocks I've never done before...
I love PP and yes you may want to obtain "Carol Doak" PP DVD that's how I learned...she makes it so easy...
Also what helps me in matching seams and pts is to not use your reg stitch but I do a baste stitch first, see if it matches if it doesn't it's just pulling out the stitch rebaste until you get it and no ripping...If it matches I just sew right over it...SEW SIMPLE...

I'm somewhat of a perfectionist, so I pin a lot. I use the very fine thin silk pins that I can even sew over if I want. However, I usually take the pin out just before the needle is ready to hit it. Pinning, especially at matched seems really keeps things lined up. I put a pin on either side of the seam. My sister never pinned anything, but she did not care if her seams did not line up.

I couldn't cut my squares up correctly. Went to a class and found out I had put my rotary cutter blade on for a lefty and I'm a righty. Who knew? Certainly not me. DUH!

I'm a real novice and lining up seams is difficult for me too. Then someone on the board started a topic about Elmer's washable school glue. It's easy as pie but I'm not good at explanations, so maybe you can ask on this thread or do a search. It works like a charm!

I really think that we're too hard on ourselves sometimes. Quilts don't have to be perfect. I make mine to keep those I love warm and to snuggle under. It doesn't matter if any seams match; they're just as warm. Relax. Give yourself permission to not be perfect. Never rip a seam more than once, and be happy with the results.

Quilting is practice practice practice and more practice.

Just when you get a basic block down to an acceptable finish - you'll spy a block that's a little more difficult and it'll challenge you to practice some more till you get it right.

So start simple - get that 1/4" RIGHT on your machine (remembering that sometimes it's not a 1/4" measurement).

I've seen WONDERFUL ARTISTIC quilts that are made by MAGICAL quilters. I know I will NEVER be able to make what they make - but that's ok - I make what I can make ... to my satisfaction.

Please dont give up. If you could post some pics of what you are having trouble with, you will get some gentle guidance here as to how to fix it or if it even needs to be fixed. Sometimes we are way too critical of our own work. Being a perfectionist is tough.

There are a few tried and true tricks to cutting accurately, sewing accurately, lining up seams, etc. that you only learn by doing and with the mentoring of an experienced person. We have all made mistakes and we have all learned from others. It just takes patience, time and a little guidance.

Come on show us whats bugging you.

Don't give up. Maybe start with a simpler quilt?

If you are working with triangles, it can be a challenge for novices. If you can, as suggested before, start with larger pieces and cut to size after pressing you will be much more successful early on. This is the method i still use for half square triangles. For more complicated triangles, I mark the end points and use a pin to align the pieces. There are lots of good resources out there with many different methods. I've finally arrived at a few that work for me in different situations and you will too. Give yourself some time. :-))

Don't give up....just walk away from it for a while and then come back. This usually helps me when nothing will go right. Quilting is great therapy!!

Never, never give up.

Put it down and take a break until you "Want" to do it again, you have the urgency to do it. I have only been quilting for 3 years, BUT I can say that it will get easier once you get the basics down. Also, this last top I have been fighting and finally got done, a lone star, had me reaching for that ugly seam ripper numerous times. Numerous times.

So there will be road blocks,but if you really enjoy it you will persevere and smile after that top is complete and know that you created that BEAUTY!!!

I’ve been quilting for a long time but didn’t start rotary cutting or machine sewing till the late 90’s. It took forever for me to get points to line up right and even now they don’t always line up precisely. Enjoy the process and don’t be so hard on yourself, you will improve with practice (you can use the blocks you don't care for in future scrap quilts.) Everyone has already given you excellent suggestions. The only thing I can think to add is to sew slower if you have to, especially when you are coming to the end of a piece. Often times that is where new quilters swerve off.

Don't give up...nothing worth having is easy! Don't be too hard on yourself, if you've only just started! If I could see the "quilts" I started on 20 years ago- I'd laugh....I've gotten better with practice. Just enjoy the process.

Perhaps post some pictures here, so we can see what the problem is? Sometimes it's not you at all ... and the pattern!

If you're doing it for a swap ... have you checked if the others having the same problem. (assuming of course, everyone is doing the same pattern).

And yes, patience ... and remember, perfection is over rated! :)

I just joined my first swap and nothing was going right. I was sooo frustrated. I posted a question with a link to the block I was working on and I received a boat-load of suggestions. Then everything started to work. My blocks aren't perfect, but they look pretty darn good. :P

Don't give up. YOU CAN DO IT!

If you would like to give me a call I can help walk you through some of the ways to help keep your blocks square and get your points to come out right. Don't give up it too me a long time to get this right. And remember the bigest and best thing of all. "THERE ARE NO QUILT POLICE" I am sure I have been in over a dozen swaps and not all the blocks I got were the right size, so I just added a boarder to them all and cut them down to all one size. No worries people know we are all still learning. So just PM me and I maybe can help you out, but don't give up you can do it.

I would double check each seam and see if you are not veering off right or left at any point along the seam. That will distort your block size.
I have been quilting for years and sometimes my seams or points will not match no matter how I re sew them. Unless your swap is for a certain pattern then make log cabin blocks. Easy blocks of all to make.

Lots of helpful hints here. I don't know if it is a particular block you are doing but I assume that is the case. Another factor I didn't see mentioned is fabric construction. Some weaves will not allow you to make a point where you want to! They have a propensity to shift in one direction or another. A friend tried to do a Hunter Star with a twill fabric that you could NOT sew straight! Didn't matter which direction the fabric was cut - it would not work! Is your fabric evenly woven? Try the pattern with other fabrics... and good luck!

Don't give up. This last quilt top I made gave me fits. I swear I put it together, ripped it apart, sewed it together, ripped it apart at least 20 times, but I wouldn't let it beat me. No, not all the points match, not even close, but the top is finished now i'm just waiting to find the right backing fabric then im going to quilt it. At this point I don't even care that is doesn't have perfect points, it is done and I have more points that match than don't. It will still keep my legs warm on a winters evening. I think I know what happend, and next top I will be much more careful not to stretch, press to hard or whatever that will put my block to far out of shape. I'm up to the challenge to just do better the next time. Don't let it beat you, it will come to you eventually. With practice it can become perfect.

Been there, done that! Quarter inch seams still challenge me. I usually have to move the needle over a little if I remember.!
Adding a border is a great suggestion. And how about alternating your block with snowball blocks or just plain squares? I have done that too. And even used fewer blocks to make a table runner and/or lap quilt. Hang in there. All is not lost! You will be glad you did.

Are you kidding? Sometimes this happens and we just move on.

Please don't give up. No one is perfect, and eventually we all get better. I've been "quilting" for 9 years now and still don't consider myself a "quilter".

Hi I was watching Eleanor Burns do a show and she used June Tailor slotted cutting rulers (I hate to cut!!!) and I went to WalMart (that's when they still sold fabric and such), bought two different sizes!! Cutting became much easier and accurate but I did buy Accuquilt Go later on. Go online, look for these June Tailor rulers - once I was cutting exactly, my squares looked a whole lot better. Maybe someone in this group knows of another company who makes these. If so, please share.
Hang in there - quilting becomes relaxing.
Linda :)

Oh please don't give up!!! We all started somewhere and even now, our quilts usually require some kind of removal of stitches. I shudder think how my first quilt looked but still knew that through sheer determination, one day, I would be proud of my quilting. Sorry to say, I haven't reach that part of my goal YET. LOL I would just make the same pattern over and over until I mastered it.....let me tell you, it was just plain 10" blocks. But boy, have I learned a LOT just on those blocks. But now, I have finally moved on to a new pattern and no doubt would make this pattern over and over until I master it, too. So don't despair....you will accomplish your quilt.

Take some deep calming breathes of air! Please realize that nobody makes pieces correctly in the beginning. At least you think others do it so well in the beginning....NOPE! You are stressing over doing these blocks for a swap. Just sew those blocks together and send them in-please. Getting points right is one of the hardest things to do for many quilters.
It is ok, don't quit quilting.

Kat

The fun of a swap is it is open to all skill levels.

No one is going to be hyper because they got a block that is a little wonky...or dang they'd be slinging my name all over.

I use the swaps as a testing ground for new techniques so every one is a guinea pig project.

I've gotten a few wonky blocks and am so glad they were sent because that person didn't give up and was hopefully having fun.

Remember...there's no such thing as a perfect quilt...never ever anywhere anytime.