When to call it quits
 

When starting a new pattern and making tests blocks, how many test blocks do you make before calling it quits? I'm on #5! They're not perfect, but they're soooo cute I keep trying. Pretty soon I'm going to have a cute quilt with lots of errors. :eek:

Well, that is something different. I'll bet it is very pretty.

i don't start something unless i really it and then i keep trying till i get it right, sometimes i take it out and redo it so many times i have to can the pieces and get new ones.

good for you for doing "test" blocks....usually the hardest part of a pattern is understanding the cutting directions, if you make past those, then keep testing...and make notes...it will come to you and will be perfect when you do your for real blocks!..do post pix now though, maybe it is something we can spot and help you fix!

like jacquie said - post pics or a scan - and maybe someone can help you

Gotta give you credit for stick-to-it-iveness! :)

Put all of your practice blocks together and call it a "humility" quilt! :thumbup:

Okay, here's a few pictures. As you can see, once I add sashing, I'll end up cutting off at least a point or 2 on each block.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]331985[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]331992[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]331989[/ATTACH]

Try making them out of paper. Sew it just like fabric. Can really help point out where the problems are!

Your points look better than mine ever do. If you think you are going to lose them, sew 1/8" instead of 1/4". That's what I usually do with sashing because my points aren't that great. I love your blocks. The fabrics and colors are so pretty. They don't look like practice blocks to me.

Yours are at least as good as the first quilt I made with that pattern. I suspect that some of your seam allowances are a little bit small. For what it's worth, the neice for who I made that first quilt with this pattern wrote me, "I didn't know you loved me that much." Don't get discouraged. You are on the right track.

What's the name of the design?

They're very pretty, all of them.

They look really really close to perfect. the thing I notice is that they lay very flat. Often these types of pinwheel blocks cup up at the center. You are doing a great job. just try and keep your seam allowance correct.

I agree to sew the sashing on at 1/8 inch....your blocks are beautiful!!

I agree about the sashing at 1/8". that has saved me a number of times.

They look wonderful! Jcrow has a great idea (use 1/8" seams for those areas). If you're worried about fraying, you can carefully dab a bit of Fray Check, onto the raw edges. Just run the tip of the bottle, along the very edge of the fabric, being careful to not saturate past about 1/16".

Those darn 1/4" and scant 1/4" seams are killing me! Thanks for the 1/8" seam allowance and Fray Check suggestion, I just happen to have a bottle in the closet. Well...on to #7. :thumbup:

It will be a pretty quilt. Love the colors and the pattern. I do at least one test block for a new pattern. If I have done it before I don't usually do one.

They don't look like test blocks to me, they look perfect! You won't lose the points if the point that is nearest the edge is 1/4" or more away. Squaring up the blocks to correct size is very helpful. That is all you need for the seam, and it could be less, but reducing the stitch length secures the seam when you are certain the points are correct. If one side will be less than the 1/4" seam, you could draw the seam line on the back of the block and use it as a guide. I baste stitch the seam first, check the points, and then sew my normal 1.5 stitch length when points are where I want them to be.

I know this is a long shot, but you could try pressing your seams open instead of to one side or the other. That will give you a tiny bit more "block" and take up less fabric for the seam allowances. Just a thought.

They look awesome!! You can send me your test blocks ...HAHA One day I'm going to get a package because i keep saying that....I hope!! They look awesome.....How are you pressing the seams? Are you making sure your pressing and not ironing? That can send a tiny difference....One that always happens to me mainly with points is everything sews right and consistant til that last 1/8 of an inch of fabric at the end where the tip is and I notice and yes I have resewed this many of times but some how the last 1/8 of sewing my 1/4 inch seam goes slightly like a triangle...grrr when that happens!! Happy quilting!!!

You didn't say how you cut the triangles. If you are cutting squares and then triangles, the problem may be in the accuracy of the cuts. Then it could also be in the long bias side of the triangle. It could have stretched in the sewing. But my guess is in the initial cutting. Go back and measure to make sure they were to true size. Pin to make sure the seam is straight. Accurate cutting and piecing sure cuts down on frustration. If you cut from squares, what was the size of the square. Then how did you cut the triangle......all these can make a difference if not accurate. Did you go back and analyze all steps when the first test block didn't come out like you intended it to.

loll

Thank you so much for this idea.... That is exactly what I am doing with my very first quilt that I started 6 years ago with some orphan blocks left from the only quilting class I took... I was trying to think of a name for it... I'll borrow your idea! "humility quilt" Thanks again loll
by the way, I am handquilting it and, it's almost done. Then the binding and that's it! learning everything at once
loll

I agree with jcrow, maybe if you just make your seams narrower it will give you the little extra you need to add your sashing. Your blocks are really pretty. I would keep at it because it is going to make one very lovely quilt.

Don't give up! Those are beautiful!

Good idea to make test blocks. I think I made three at the most (third was a keeper). Once I made a test block out of what I thought was ugly fabric and I liked it so well I wished there was enough for the entire quilt!

I seldom make a practice block - I just dive in. If the first block is fudgeable I keep going. If not, I go on to some other quilt.

I agree with QM. The biggest problems I've had with points were when I've tried to use a "scant" 1/4" seam. Try a generous 1/4" for the triangles. Then a standard 1/4" seam for your sashing should work. With the 1/4" foot for each of my machines, I can move the needle 1 position to either left or right, so that's how I do it.

I usually do one block. You say your points are bad.....do a search for my quilt "Pointless Star".......ROL -- dang near every star has its points missing!!! Sometimes the pattern is just plain bad. On the next block you make, cut the white border fabric larger....then when you get it done, you can cut it to within 1/4" of those points. Good luck!

ummmmmm * guilting look*.... test blocks???? my whole quilting process is " testing".... I just jump right in and start making the blocks!!

They look great to me. You are truly a perfectionist.

Suggestions that I thought of have been said. Just wanted to say I like your test blocks.

If ou have a lot to yet, here's what I'd do - figure out how to make just the white parts a bit bigger. That means when you sew the HST the white side is longer on the pointed edge and the other section, the white it wider. Then when you piece them, they will be large enough for you to trim them ALL down to the correct size.

I saw it on a swap that's going on now,

http://www.quiltinaday.com/freepatte...GoRound_12.pdf

The blocks don't look centered on the back ground , it doesn't look squared. your points look great to me, I don't think that's the problem. maybe just my eyes??? Hope you find the fix I love the pattern and your colors.

Those certainly don't look like test blocks. They look great. Please share finished quilt with us. I know it will be beautiful.

They look great to me. Make smaller seam allowances for the sashing and you will be all set. For the next few, make your side pieces wider than your pattern calls for to give room to have a 1/4 seam allowance, maybe? It could be they are out of whack in the pattern.
I make all my test pieces pieces out of greens, aquas and blues and then put them all together in a "sampler of oops" quilt! Most people don't realize they are test patterns and i have a stack of color-coordianted quilts to keep me warm.

What a great idea!!! :)

If I do a test block, I do only one, taking it apart and redoing it as many times as needed...sometimes I have to put in new pieces because they get ripped after so many stitch removals! LOL

I just looked at the pics of the ones you have made. Try cutting the white pieces a little bit larger.

This is the way I do it too! Maybe we need to change our tactics? Naaa!