Wednesday, January 23, 2019

My First Quilting Disaster

Not that there haven't been more quilting disasters, but at least I didn't want to throw them away.  I always figured SOMEONE would want it, even if it was my puppies.

There has however, come a time when my quilting has reached the level of my cooking.  I've gone far too long without burying something made of fabric.  Don't despair because that day has arrived.

Take a look at this latest creation.  It is a little crooked here and there because it's not sewn together yet.  These pieces are just plastered on the batting to check placement before stitching them into a quilt.  I'm happy to say that's NOT going to happen.

Believe it or not, I followed the pattern completely, even as to the colors.  I can only say it's UGLY.  After all the trouble I went through to get the owls, I was devastated to see THIS.  I kept the owls and stashed everything else in the bottom of the scrap box.

Talk about depressing .... it took me hours and hours to sew all those tiny triangles together!!  I needed another plan.
Luckily the ladies at the only quilt shop in my area were very kind.  They said it was HORRIBLE and what was my idea to fix it.  Hey, that's why I came to YOU!!  This was actually my idea in the end, but I had no idea how to figure out the yardage.

Once I picked the colors, the lady who said it was horrible must have felt bad.  She grabbed a piece of graph paper and penciled it out completely for me, along with exact cutting instructions, how much to cut and how wide.  Here's the final result.  It's quite a bit smaller than the original, but looks MUCH better.  Maybe a lap quilt, maybe a wall hanging.  At least I saved the owls from extinction.    
Not to be outdone, this quilt didn't fare much better.  These modern quilts and fabrics are just not my cup of tea.  I'm pretty sure this will be donated to someone or something!!
I've actually finished three quilt tops and am starting on the fourth.  With the weather so cold and the wind rising, I haven't ventured outside much at all.  Now THIS I like.  It's much more traditional.  
I'm feeling rather bad for the Canadians who come here to escape the cold.  It's 32 degrees this morning.  Even the puppies didn't want to go out.  Thank goodness my electric blanket will be delivered this afternoon.  No more cold nights for me!!

I did make one foray yesterday to get completely taken by high prices.  I'll explain more tomorrow.




12 comments:

  1. Cindy likes the second way much better. She also likes the bright one. Really likes the two blocks.

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    1. Thank you Cindy!!! Gosh, you guys are up early! I thought I was the only one. These are nothing compared to what you two make!!

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  2. I do like you new owl quilt and the traditional ones as well. At least your quitting is not boring and can be very challenging at times.,
    It is 38F in Q this morning much better than the below zero temps with freezing rain and snow back home. the wind has died down and the sun shines bright in the sky, we will take this any day.

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    1. Not only is it fun to quilt, it keeps me out of the refrigerator!!! I hope this isn't the new trend ... freezing in January.

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  3. Yes, the second owl quilt is much better. Wondering if the background in the first owl quilt might work if you took nine new but smaller squares (about the thickness of the dark line) in the "off white" background color, put in place of the owls, but turned them so they stood on a point (like a diamond). Just a thought...

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    1. GREAT idea. Actually the nice lady at the quilt shop suggested a fabric doing the exact same thing. It's in my stack of to-do's.

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  4. The re-laid out owl quilt looks good. With the quilts you are making, perhaps donating to an organization that can use them for ill individuals or perhaps to a care center. Some thoughts. Temps this morning in Benson were 24 degrees going up to the 50s with lots of sunshine. These cold mornings will pass. Lynn Cross

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    1. Oh my gosh Lynn ... that's COLD!! Yes I do donate several quilts a year to different organizations. The last one was for foster kids just starting college with nothing but the clothes on their backs. It's a good feeling to help out.

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  5. Thank you for sharing even your not so perfect quilts. They all look good to me and I agree, the 2nd owl quilt is better. :) Even the owls look happier!
    Don't feel sorry for us, the morning coolness doesn't last long and even at 50F with this sun, I was de-layering as I finished my walk this morning.

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    1. I guess that the difference in our elevation. I never took my jacket off yesterday. Every quilt deserves some love!!

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  6. I would have to agree your second owl quilt layout is better. The owls look so much brighter. The second one looks beautiful. Really like the traditional one you are starting. Hope your electric blanket arrived.

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    1. Thank you Deb. I thought the owls were too elegant for the first pattern. Brrrr it's back down to 30!!

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