One Mistake Leads to Another
 

Before Christmas, I picked up some fabric with penguins on it, planning to make something for my DH, who loves penguins. But one mistake led to another…

1. Pick an appropriate quilt block for the material. Instead of making a quilt with large blocks of this lovely fabric, I decided I wanted to do an attic window. Since the fabric wouldn’t be suitable for inside the window, it was now delegated to the border.

2. Know your materials. Since I couldn’t find a large panel with penguins, I decided to use printable fabric. Yes, I read it was a bit stiff… but how stiff could it be? It was fabric – right? A BIT STIFF? Think cardboard. Still I muddled on. When I got to free motion quilting, my machine would skip stitches since the needle would pull the whole panel up. The only way to quilt it was to use my walking foot (which would hold down the panel okay) and stop every few stitches and shift the quilt around. Boy, was this ever SLOW!

3. Keep blocks a known size. Although in Photoshop, it appeared that the individual windows were the same size (9 X 7), when printed, they were actually an odd size. No problem, I thought. I’ll just sew and cut the pieces of the window, sashing and frame to fit. Although I’ve read multiple times, that you must know the size of your blocks and sash and cut your borders to the correct size. If you just sew them on, you’ll have extra fabric in your border. It’s a lap quilt, so how bad could it be? Bad enough to cause little tucks during the quilting.

So here is my DH with his cardboard-like windows and ticks in the border. Still he loves it because I made it for him. He is such a sweetie. Do you think after soaking it in the bathtub it would get softer? My DH won’t let me do that for fear of losing the printed image.

I love your quilt, it is so pretty, wonderful work.

I love it. It turned out really well even though you had your issues. Your husband looks like he is thrilled with it. What more can you ask for.

Fantastic quilt....so sorry it caused such grief to make, but you are obviously a master problem solver!!!

No wonder he is so happy it is awesome!!!!!

Mistakes? I love it. Three cheers for mistakes. It came out beautifully. I love penguins too.

I really like that!

Looks great to me, love how it turned out, just like looking out a window!

Neat quilt! He loves it, so that's great!

Just terrific, great job and thank you for sharing
Have a Blessed day
Ellen

It is an awesome quilt. I do think the quilt will get softer as it ages and is washed. In time, hopefully DH will allow handwashing. Congratulations to both you and DH! :thumbup:

adorable, going onto the wall, so don't worry about stiffness.

Now that is an impressive looking quilt. Love it!!!

i love it! and obviously he does as well :)

mistakes or not its beautiful

Wonderful quilt!!! It looks very cheery and your husband does too!

It's a great looking quilt!!! Looks like you did such a terrific job even with all the troubles you experienced.

WOW! One would never know all those things w/o you're telling us! It is great, I've collected a bunchoffabric to make my SIL a penguin quilt, but can't seem to get started on it! Maybe I could just send her the picture of yours & say maybe one day!

I think the quilt is gorgeous. Glad you persevered.

That is a terrific quilt....I can not see any mistakes so you are very good at hiding them.....your husband looks so happy!

Cool quilt, if it is to stiff for a lap quilt I could find a big wall for it to hang on!

Don't mess with greatness. It looks marvelous and he loves it. Don't soak it in a tub as it not only might lose the pictures but it could also lose it's shape.

It turned out great, doesn't look like there were any problems.

That is fantastic! my son has been asking for a penguin quilt for a couple years now he would sure love this one .

love it!!!!! :)

My solution! It is so adorable and well done, use it for a wall hanging and make him something softer that will go with it! I love it btw!

In spite of all the headaches this quilt gave you, it's priceless. I love the way the penguins turned out in the window effect, and I don't care what you say, you did a wonderful job, and he's pleased as punch with it. That's all that matters.

i love it! giggled thru your story but wow its fantastic!! :))

This is such a refreshing quilt, love it!

What mistakes??? Everything happens for a reason. It turned out great. I agree that it should be a wall hanging and make your husband another (larger) quilt to use everyday. That way the pictures won't be lost.
Thanks for sharing all of the process of this quilt.

It's gorgeous! If it stays stiff--call it a wall hanging!

It is worth the trouble. It is adorable.

the march of the penquins was easier than your trip :) however the smile on hubbys face was well worth it

I think that you have done an admirable job and the final results show no sign of the tribulations you encountered during it's creation.

What ever your issues .. the final result is great! I love it !

It looks great...

Love it, and the best part of the story, you didn't give up.

Really, really love this. It is so cute and I can't see those mistakes, soooo. Your husband is the one that matters.

With all the trials you went through I say it was well worth it to have created such a beauty!

Despite the problems, it's a true work of art. I think I would hang it on the wall and make another quilt for DH to snuggle up with.