This panel was so off square! How frustrating. I wanted a simple project to donate to the local library to do with as they wished--raffle or keep. I bought two of these panels--both are so off! But, to square it up some of the alphabet had to come off both sides. It just doesn't look good enough. Rats. :|

The border was fun to do. I've never made one like this before--is it called piano key?

Sigh...I'll put it away and finish it in a few years for a grandchild. It can be a picnic quilt.

Maybe I'll make more bookmarks for the library.

That's too bad. I'd say take the borders off and get rid of the abc boarder, but then the borders you make would be too big. Too much a project to re-do. Could you applique a colored border over the abc's.

It's so cute! Don't put it away! No one will even notice!! Turn it into a wonky block -- it's already wonky sided, huh? I say go with the flow -- play up its wonkiness! :-D :-D

I would finish it and give it as planned. You are the only one that would know or care. Go to the store and see how many blankets, clothing etc are not square. I love it. So cute. Love the border.

You can always donate it for needy children.
I didn't really notice that it was off until I read your note. I'm sure a little child wouldn't care one bit if they even saw it.

Luv--I considered taking the abc border off, but I didn't think it'd be square even then! I have one more to play with... I could try. I liked the abc border. I didn't take it off until the first border was on-hoping it'd work. But it was just too weird without the trim. Bummer.

When you make the second one, could you trim it down to 1/4" from the striped border and then add your border? It might not be squared, but I think it would look square. Which would be fine with me as long as it wasn't a custom quilt or for some competition. Just a thought. If it was too small you could even add another border.

That's an idea! I have been planning on making some up for the Linus Project!

You all type faster than I do.

That's an idea--the trim part--it should be square if I stick to 1/4" all around?

It's a good size--wouldn't need another border.

Think outside the box and you will come up with a good useable idea. I think it is fine. Kids won't care.

I would take off the abc border and move the outer border in to be the first border, then add a solid color border on the outside. It will be adorable. You can use your rotary cutter to trim it down, it will go fast, then remove a couple of the strips on the existing border so it fits the new inside. It should fix up pretty quickly.

I would have added a border and then squared it up.....let the center block be a little off/wavey/wonky or whatever you'd like to call it. I've done this before when my block was not squareable (is that a term???) but wanted to use it anyway....I just add a small border and ta da .....it can be squared up!

Sorry that happened but you will come up with a fix you like. Personally, I would leave the finished one finished. Someone will wonder how you ever thought to get it to do that because they think that is the perfect touch. We do not all see things the same way. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You did a good job.

I know how you feel about having to take it apart. I made a queen-sized quilt for a school auction a few years ago. It wasn't until after it was finished that I saw that the background fabric was from two different dye lots!!! I had never had that happen before. One-third was from one dye lot and 2/3 was from another. There was a definite line that divided them. I tried to match the background fabric from the 2/3 section so I would only have to replace 1/3 of the background, but I couldn't locate that doggone dye lot anywhere!! I could only locate the dye lot from the 1/3 section! I couldn't leave the top looking like that even though everyone told me that "no one would notice except [me]." Having those fabrics not match bothered me so much that I ended up taking off the 2/3 section and replacing it with the dye lot that matched the 1/3 section!! It was a big undertaking, but when I finished, I felt better about submitting it for the auction. It would have bothered me so much knowing that it wasn't right. I'm not a perfectionist, but it kept pulling at my conscience to fix it. 8-)

I think it looks great the way it is. Looks a little more artistic than just plain square and symmetrical. More interesting to look at...

Oh dear, I have had that happen now and then. There are many times you can use that quilt-if company comes to visit with small children. A sit on the grass quilt with a little one or give it to a needy child they will love it.
It will not be wasted!

It's a precious quilt! Bet it will be someone's favorite sleepy time quilt.

In a way, it almost looks intentional - because both sides are at an angle.

Take off the part with the side alphabet and put in a solid corresponding color. Leave the top and bottom alphabet. Make the solid part just wide enough to fit into the space where the top and bottom alphabets go over. I am sure it will look fine. Then put it back together and enjoy giving it to the library!

quote=Luv Quilts and Cats]That's too bad. I'd say take the borders off and get rid of the abc boarder, but then the borders you make would be too big. Too much a project to re-do. Could you applique a colored border over the abc's.[/quote]

I like it looking wonky! I would play up the wonky by making another wonky border of polka dots or something.

Could you add a border outside the alphabet, then square it off from the border, then you could keep the alphabet. Then put on the beautiful piano keys. It is an adorable quilt. Good luck.

I would put the border on, THEN square it, so I wouldn't lose any of the design, like someone before said.

on the other one, add sashing around the panel and then trim that square. or rectangle. that way the alphabet stays.

If the next one has the problem with the abc blocks, don't square up those blocks - just add the border (allowing it to go on the blocks sort of off) Then square up the outside of the border - so that it looks sort of wacky. The blocks look to be that way on purpose. So, it can be a wacky type of quilt. There is a quilt that has all of the blocks wacky on purpose. :>)

Ahhh..that's what I can do with the next one! I looked at the one I finished and no way do I want to take it apart... so you have all given me great ideas for the next one!!

It'll be one wonky border--but if it's solid it'll look fine. I'll do that one up and donate it to the library.
Thanks!!

Good luck.

And I just checked-I have enough of each of the border colors to make more sections. Phew!!



PS nativetexan--your avatar is beautiful.

I think that adds to it's charm...just call it wonky alphabet! :D :thumbup:

Cut the borders off with a rotary cutter. Fast and you won't lose any pattern on any of the borders you want to keep. Resew how you want.

Try the tip from the other day, wet it down and pin it to the crpet squared up then add border, take off the alphabet it you need to, Paddingtion to cute to give up on !! :)
Good Luck to you and the Library!!

I was going to try that--but it was too far off. Someone had said within a half inch--it was more than that.

I have found that most panels are printed crooked !!! Don't know why they can't print them straight !!!!! They are all a challange. Unfortunately some of them are so cute I still buy them. I just plan on them being off and cut some off if possible. If not, I do the best I can,wash them when I'm done and hope the antique looks helps hide the fact that the panel is out of square or just plain crooked !!.

I admire the fact that some of you can leave it and just finish it. I am not vain, it would bother me so much that it would drive me crazy. When my sister and I sew together on the rare occasion someone should have video camera. I will pick something out and she will just roll her eyes and continue what she is doing. I ask her if she is sure she doesn't want to pick it out. We have agreed that it is okay whichever way you do it. I am getting better. I have been making 9 patches like the challenge to get rid of some stuff and I have not picked out any seams. I just pretend they match.

I think it is cute. But the border that is not sq might have to go... Like you said, use it for something else.

I love it the way it is! We are always worried about perfection and I think the way it is makes the quilt.

The fact that the alphabet letters are not "square" it doesn't look off. It's cute like it is...
I say go ahead and donate it.

Some lucky child will love that quilt to pieces and not even care or notice the abc's. Please don't banish it to your closet, some little boy or girl is waiting for something just that special.

Everyone will think it was planned that way. Go ahead and give it!!! They will appreciate it no matter what!

It would be a shame to put it away. It is really so pretty! Hopefully with all of this good advice here that you find another way to go with it. Good luck!