This quilt is no longer called Route 44. It's new name is Gremlin. I had trouble with this quilt from Day One. It should be acknowledged that none of the issues I had were the fault of the pattern, a lovely offering by Miss Rosie's Quilt Company.
The mistakes were entirely my fault. It started out with me making all the four patch blocks for the square in a square blocks wrong. This error was discovered the evening before the class Lisa and Thelma and I were taking together in Illinois. The girls helped me rip out the four patch blocks that night at the motel, so the next day in class I was already behind.
Once I got home and could work on my blocks without distraction, I continued to have construction issues–the usual sort–mostly points that wouldn't match up properly. I did more unsewing with this quilt than any I have made in years.
Then, there was the problem with the borders. There are five borders on this quilt, and I had the bright idea to sew three of them on together. That experiment most assuredly did not work, if you recall.
Once that issue was resolved satisfactorily, my final challenge was to get the outer border on. Weary of making mistake after mistake with this quilt, I set the whole project to the side. It was still in plain sight, so I wasn't likely to forget I still had one more thing to do. I just needed a little rest from it.
Last week I decided the time had come to whip that last border on and be done with Route 44. Enough time had passed that I had forgiven (but not forgotten) all the trouble it had given me. So, in no time flat, I cut out those four last border pieces, measured carefully and put the borders on.
WHAT the….?
That last border was the biggest flabbiest mess you ever saw. So, guess what? I ripped it out again. I discovered that I had mis-measured the quilt by TWO inches. I am not kidding you. This quilt is possessed Friends, I am sure of it.
So, I ripped out the borders, cut them down to size, and reattached them. You will have to trust me, the quilt top is now flat as a pancake and completely done. It looks fabulous. I love it, even though it obviously does not reciprocate my feelings.
I am almost afraid to take it to my quilter though, for fear of what Gremlin might to do her fancy quilting machine.
56 responses to “Gremlin”
It is a beautiful quilt! Looks so innocent lying there…show us when it comes to life with quilting.
It is a beautiful quilt! Looks so innocent lying there…show us when it comes to life with quilting.
Sometimes it’s the ones that give all the trouble that you love the most over the long haul. It looks beautiful on your bed. I love it. The colors are very warm and inviting!
Sometimes it’s the ones that give all the trouble that you love the most over the long haul. It looks beautiful on your bed. I love it. The colors are very warm and inviting!
I do love this quilt and the fabrics/colors you chose to use even if it’s been a bother. How about calling it Gremlins on Rt 44? Whatever the annoyances were, the quilt is glorious now! Well done!!!
DS1’s quilt was that kind of rip-it-out uncooperative bother, too, so perhaps it was something in the air? If his quilt has wavy borders, so be it!
What is next?
Hugs!
I do love this quilt and the fabrics/colors you chose to use even if it’s been a bother. How about calling it Gremlins on Rt 44? Whatever the annoyances were, the quilt is glorious now! Well done!!!
DS1’s quilt was that kind of rip-it-out uncooperative bother, too, so perhaps it was something in the air? If his quilt has wavy borders, so be it!
What is next?
Hugs!
Well for all your problems it seems it turned out beautiful in the end! Glad you stuck with it!
Well for all your problems it seems it turned out beautiful in the end! Glad you stuck with it!
Hi Nicole,
Maybe you can send Gremlins to your quilter with an older, wiser sister quilt(Mocha Trails)so that Gremlin can learn to behave. Both have turned out so lovely and a little different from recent floral quilts. A challenging quilt is one to remember and enjoy.
Hi Nicole,
Maybe you can send Gremlins to your quilter with an older, wiser sister quilt(Mocha Trails)so that Gremlin can learn to behave. Both have turned out so lovely and a little different from recent floral quilts. A challenging quilt is one to remember and enjoy.
If it makes you feel better, I have more than one quilt that I would swear I’ve made twice for all the sewing, unsewing, re-sewing, re-unsewing and re-re-sewing I’ve done. It happens. 🙂
It keeps me humble. Okay, not really but maybe that’s why “the gods” keep thinking I need reminders… and they keep trying. 🙂
If it makes you feel better, I have more than one quilt that I would swear I’ve made twice for all the sewing, unsewing, re-sewing, re-unsewing and re-re-sewing I’ve done. It happens. 🙂
It keeps me humble. Okay, not really but maybe that’s why “the gods” keep thinking I need reminders… and they keep trying. 🙂
For all the trouble I think it was worth it since it’s absolutely beautiful! Makes me want to avoid making borders though!
For all the trouble I think it was worth it since it’s absolutely beautiful! Makes me want to avoid making borders though!
It looks beautiful even though it is gremlin.
It looks beautiful even though it is gremlin.
Yes, sometimes when things go wrong, they just continue all along the journey. Funny how that is, but the end result is a beautiful quilt. Once it leaves your house, the gremlins will disappear and you will recieve back a gorgeous quilt from the quilter.
Yes, sometimes when things go wrong, they just continue all along the journey. Funny how that is, but the end result is a beautiful quilt. Once it leaves your house, the gremlins will disappear and you will recieve back a gorgeous quilt from the quilter.
Oh, but it’s so lovely! I really like the richness of it.
Don’t take it to your daughter’s quilter!!
Oh, but it’s so lovely! I really like the richness of it.
Don’t take it to your daughter’s quilter!!
It turned out beautiful. I used to dread borders for the same reason. I finally tried Bonnie’s quiltville.com method. I just cut long strips, lay out the quilt on my huge table, and lay the strips on top and cut. I never measure anymore, just cut them to match the center top. I can’t reach the floor anymore, but a lot of people use that. Good luck on future projects.
It turned out beautiful. I used to dread borders for the same reason. I finally tried Bonnie’s quiltville.com method. I just cut long strips, lay out the quilt on my huge table, and lay the strips on top and cut. I never measure anymore, just cut them to match the center top. I can’t reach the floor anymore, but a lot of people use that. Good luck on future projects.
LOL Gremlins! Just throw some water on it then! Seriously, the quilt looks gorgeous even considering all the trouble you’ve had.
LOL Gremlins! Just throw some water on it then! Seriously, the quilt looks gorgeous even considering all the trouble you’ve had.
It certainly does sound like gremlins have been at work! Not that anyone needs practice at unsewing…
It looks wonderful. Love the rich deep colors and the brown border. Crossing my fingers for your long arm quilter to be gremlin free! Hint: Don’t tell her it was infected and maybe it will behave.
It certainly does sound like gremlins have been at work! Not that anyone needs practice at unsewing…
It looks wonderful. Love the rich deep colors and the brown border. Crossing my fingers for your long arm quilter to be gremlin free! Hint: Don’t tell her it was infected and maybe it will behave.
It’s beautiful now that it’s done – heck, it will be like having a child, you’ll forget all the pain as soon as it’s back from the quilters, bound and ready to be used!
It’s beautiful now that it’s done – heck, it will be like having a child, you’ll forget all the pain as soon as it’s back from the quilters, bound and ready to be used!
For a quilt that caused so much unsewing, it sure looks stunning! I love it. Maybe hold onto it for 6 months before taking to the quilter. ;0 That should be enough time to allow the gremlins to move on to another quilter’s home.
It really is beautiful and how nice of your friends to help you unsew. 🙂
For a quilt that caused so much unsewing, it sure looks stunning! I love it. Maybe hold onto it for 6 months before taking to the quilter. ;0 That should be enough time to allow the gremlins to move on to another quilter’s home.
It really is beautiful and how nice of your friends to help you unsew. 🙂
Everyone has a quilt or two in their quilting history that acts up like this. I know I’ve had a couple. One, that I put an enormous amount of work into, was never quite right so it’s hanging on a quilt ladder now as it refuses to lay correctly on a bed.
Everyone has a quilt or two in their quilting history that acts up like this. I know I’ve had a couple. One, that I put an enormous amount of work into, was never quite right so it’s hanging on a quilt ladder now as it refuses to lay correctly on a bed.
Ummmm Nicole, I hate to point this out, but it seems that if the problems were ‘operator error’ it wasn’t the quilt that was bothered by Gremlins…Just a thought, *wink* Regardless, it is absolutely beautiful! Hugs…
Ummmm Nicole, I hate to point this out, but it seems that if the problems were ‘operator error’ it wasn’t the quilt that was bothered by Gremlins…Just a thought, *wink* Regardless, it is absolutely beautiful! Hugs…
Great post Nicole. I was able to get a good chuckle out of the way you described that last border…”biggest, flabbiest mess”…. 🙂 Oh my…haven’t we all been there? Done that? I think your quilt turned out beautiful. I believe you will enjoy it–painful memories and all. : )
Have a great week!!
Beverly in WA state
Great post Nicole. I was able to get a good chuckle out of the way you described that last border…”biggest, flabbiest mess”…. 🙂 Oh my…haven’t we all been there? Done that? I think your quilt turned out beautiful. I believe you will enjoy it–painful memories and all. : )
Have a great week!!
Beverly in WA state
(in reference to my previous post) Oh my gosh, I got it all backwards! In the movie, you DON’T want to get water on the gremlins because then they multiply! I thought that water killed the gremlins but sadly that was completely wrong!
(in reference to my previous post) Oh my gosh, I got it all backwards! In the movie, you DON’T want to get water on the gremlins because then they multiply! I thought that water killed the gremlins but sadly that was completely wrong!
Hi Nicole another Beautiful Quilt How I wish I could Quilt like you I think My Problem is in the cutting out nothing ever matches up for me But I will keep plodding on I will get the hang of it all soone or later.
Hugs Mary
Hi Nicole another Beautiful Quilt How I wish I could Quilt like you I think My Problem is in the cutting out nothing ever matches up for me But I will keep plodding on I will get the hang of it all soone or later.
Hugs Mary
All quilters have gremlim problems. It takes an honest quilter to admit to the gremlims. Thanks for shating and have wonderful holidays. A merry merry Christmas tide to a wonderful lady. Thank you for sharing your life with the tribulations with us. Hugs to you and the hubby, pups included.
All quilters have gremlim problems. It takes an honest quilter to admit to the gremlims. Thanks for shating and have wonderful holidays. A merry merry Christmas tide to a wonderful lady. Thank you for sharing your life with the tribulations with us. Hugs to you and the hubby, pups included.
Congratulations on your perseverance in getting the top finished!
I am sure your next quilt won’t have any of the same problems.
It is a beautiful quilt!!!
Congratulations on your perseverance in getting the top finished!
I am sure your next quilt won’t have any of the same problems.
It is a beautiful quilt!!!
That top sure does look good on your bed.
That top sure does look good on your bed.
Love the quilt – it is stunning. I have a journal for my stitching (and now one for my quilting) documenting these stories – hopefully someday there will be a grandchild who looks at the pieces I loved to hate and hate to love…and appreciate the love that went into each and every one!
Love the quilt – it is stunning. I have a journal for my stitching (and now one for my quilting) documenting these stories – hopefully someday there will be a grandchild who looks at the pieces I loved to hate and hate to love…and appreciate the love that went into each and every one!
The final resulting quilt is fantastic!!!
The final resulting quilt is fantastic!!!
Nicole, Your quilt looks great…you are much too hard on yourself.. I get much inspiration from you and your friends. When I need a cheering moment or get the “Lead Out” I go to your blogs… Get Inspired, get Focused and then I get busy… Thanks for all your sharing. Hugs and Stiches Always xox
Ps. Looking forward to your quilt 🙂
Nicole, Your quilt looks great…you are much too hard on yourself.. I get much inspiration from you and your friends. When I need a cheering moment or get the “Lead Out” I go to your blogs… Get Inspired, get Focused and then I get busy… Thanks for all your sharing. Hugs and Stiches Always xox
Ps. Looking forward to your quilt 🙂
Oh my goodness. I have had similar problems with a quilt just lately. I ran my finger over with the sewing machine needle. It went ALL the way through. I broke the needle threader on my machine when it was in the quilting machine…border issues and now even binding issues. I can’t decide if I should give the possessed quilt away or keep it as a story teller quilt.
Oh my goodness. I have had similar problems with a quilt just lately. I ran my finger over with the sewing machine needle. It went ALL the way through. I broke the needle threader on my machine when it was in the quilting machine…border issues and now even binding issues. I can’t decide if I should give the possessed quilt away or keep it as a story teller quilt.
We all have those days …. but in the end, what a beautiful quilt top you have.
We all have those days …. but in the end, what a beautiful quilt top you have.