Ok, I have had so much trouble with this quilt. Putting the quilt top together was easy.........compared to the quilting I did - 3 times.... :shock: :evil: :oops: :? :shock:

The first time I tried to quilt it on my machine. I did two rows and it was terrible - the fabric was pulling (yes I was using a walking foot) and the stitches were too small even tho I had it on the largest stitch.
So I pulled those out. Ok, I'll hand quilt it - no problem.
Right...........

So I put it all out, pinned it like crazy (again) and went at the sewing. I thought I was whipping along. Got it all done..........took it out of the hoop for the last time (round hoop) and I laid it flat. It looked HORRIBLE! :shock: :(
I ripped it out. :evil:

I started again. Only this time, I did about 5 rows. I took it out of the hoop. It still looked horrible! The back kept bunching up instead of staying stretched out and flat.
I went to my LQS but the expert wasn't there. :(
I ripped it all out.

Finally, I figured out my problem - my rows were too far apart! They were 3 inches. I made them 1.5 inches, and it worked SO much better - more sewing but hey, it wasn't all bunchy. I used the spray adhesive (the non-smelly stuff) and TONS of pins. I'm not thrilled with my hand stitching - I just wanted to get it DONE!

Then I was scared to death of having to square it up and bind it. Well, instead of being anal, I just went at it the best I could without having to cut all the boarder off.

I cut the binding out of left-over fabric - it was just about a fat quarter worth (i think) and I had to cut lots of strips to get enough. I had plenty plus some. :)

I followed the directions in my book to the T. I did a double fold binding. I sewed it on and it went well. The machine behaved. :)

I went to fold the binding over and hand sew it - OMG. It was barely enough to get around to the back of the quilt - but I was NOT taking all that binding off!!!!!!!!!!! :shock: So I just got my stubborn streak going, and started sewing.

I cannot tell you HOW happy I am its done. This was supposed to be a Christmas present for my almost 30 yr old daughter. I can hardly wait to give it to her on Saturday!

Did I mention, I'm SEW happy to have this quilt done??????? :lol: :lol: :lol: :oops: :roll:

nicely done

I love the quilt, so all that was worth it and she will love it cause her mommy made it!

Very nice, love the colors, your dd will be soooooooo happy!
Now you have one under your belt , the next will be easier.

very nice work

It looks like it turned out great and I'm sure your DD will love it. I've had to tear a lot of stitching out and I'm sure all the others have had to too so you aren't alone there. But it is a pain.

It was worth the effort :thumbup:

I really like that! I'm sorry you had so much trouble quilting it, but it look great, and it must have been a good learning experience :)

She'll love it. Despite all the problems it's still a wonderful quilt and a great learning experience.

But the result of your adventure with this one is so worth it - it looks great, like your fabric choice too.

Wow, you get the award for the most work on your first quilt!! Nice job..good color choices, and I think your stitching is wonderful!

Very pretty! Good job!

Very nice. Life is hard so eat chocolate. Quilting is a adventure. Know one can tell you where it will take you.

Great of you not to throw in the towel.

remember grass hopper ~ we learn from our mistakes

GREAT QUILT!

Your quilt is so very pretty! I like the colors and pattern. I would love to get it as a gift!

Nice job, she'll love it!

I really like everything about it. Good fabric choices and pattern. You did a good job on the quilting. Keep at it, can't wait to see your 2nd quilt

I love it

It's a beautiful quilt. I think you did a great job.

Thanks everyone! You're all too sweet! I know things could have been done better - putting the blocks together then cutting them for the D9P - I could have not had the neutral colors next to each other. But hey, like someone here already said, learn from your mistakes. And boy, have I! LOL

I have just completed my second project. Its a Valentine Day wall hanging. I did not have a pattern, just an idea in my head. I has a rag quilted heart in the center of it so I need to get it washed and see if it actually works.....if not, I'll just keep it! :) I may keep it anyway. :lol:

I am SEW happy to be doing small projects. I see many of them in my future, before starting another large one. ;)

Well, it may have been a headache, but she's going to love it and all your work paid off! Good job!

Your quilt is beautiful. What pattern is it?

very nice! what is the name of the pattern please? really like the colors

Great work!

Beautiful! Love the colors and pattern. You did a great job on both the piecing and the quilting.

I can't believe you went through all of that...I am so sorry..but teh end product is beautiful...so Thankfully it worked out wlel!

It will be so loved! You did a great job on it, just sorry it caused you so much trouble!

Wow! I would have given up and sent it off to be quilted after the second round. Good for you! You didn't give up and look how much you learned in the process. I love it and the backing is such a complement to the whole quilt. Great job! :thumbup:

Beautiful quilt! Congrats on your first project!

Love the colors and all the trouble was worth it.. It turned out to be very beautiful

Wow, such patience and perseverance! Your determination to finish your quilt is amazing. You could probably write an essay on all that you learned through getting your first quilt done. Thanks for sharing your story.

Very nice. :thumbup:

OH!!! It is LOVELY!!! The color combo is amazing, and I think the quilting turned out extremely well. Job well done!!! (even though it took awhile to get there) Way to go!!! :D :D

What a great way to use striped fabric! It looks so good on the front and the back, too. You did a great job keepingn the stripes going straight on the back, too.

I like that! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Very nice! I really like it and the colors. My first quilt I decided to do an Attic Window... I didn't know about bias at that time... and nobody told me, either :hunf: So I sewed the first three rows together and my points weren't perfect... I was destroyed! It sat on my ironing board for 3 months... yes 3 months. A friend set me free when she said, " if you can't see the points don't exactly match when you are riding by on a galloping horse... don't worry about it!" Saved my bacon..and I've been quilting every since... that was in 1985. So now I pass that advise on to you... it looks great...and your daughter will love it because Mom made it just for her. Good job. :mrgreen: :lol: :mrgreen:

That's pretty!

I think it's beautiful (love the stripes)...aren't you glad you stuck with it! Well done!

Great job, pretty colors. Perservance paid off :) and I sure am no espert at quilting(or anything else), but your stitching looks nice to me.

Margie :)

It's a disappearing 9 patch. I've shown it to a couple of experienced quilters and they couldn't see it. I followed the directions. :roll: