Ok, this one surprised me. To tell the truth, I did not think I would finish this quilt. It is a Web Sampler project from a couple of years ago. For those of you not familiar with a Web Sampler, it is a program of participating shops that all come up with a sampler block out of the same fabric collection. You have to buy a block from each of the participating shops and then choose a "finishing kit" from one of them. The finishing kit may contain materials and instructions for setting squares, alternate blocks, borders and so on. The fun of it is, you can really customize the look of the quilt by being able to have 12 choices of setting options. All great in theory.
Let me say that this was an expensive project. Each block cost around $9 as I recall. The finishing kit could add an additional $100 or more to the total cost. Plus, one would need to buy backing fabric, batting and pay for quilting. Not cheap. And not a project you would want to abandon at the eleventh hour.
Getting the blocks from 12 different quilt shops was fun. Constructing the blocks along with the other folks who were doing the Web Sampler was fun. The finishing kit and instructions from Stitch N' Frame? Not fun. At all.
In fact, I think I can say that the instructions for this finishing kit takes the prize for the worst pattern instructions I have ever experienced. They were practically useless. Every other person I spoke to who had chosen this same finishing kit as I did had big problems. The critical issue lay in the pieced border. That thing would not fit for love or money. Just look at the picture that came with the instructions. The number of pieces in the pieced borders in no way matches up to the number of pieces you actually use to get the darn border on right. Even their alternate blocks aren't the same as in their picture. Stitch N' Frame, what were you tthinking?
My friends who chose this same finishing kit handled the problem in different ways. One managed to make the first red pieced border fit after sewing it on and taking it off again umpteen times–and decided not to even try with the second border. Another friend skipped the pieced border completely and just added on a solid border to get the thing done.
I also managed to get the first red and tan pieced border on after much struggling. Not quite the way it was supposed to look, but on. (Notice my large gaps at the corners? I don't care). The black and tan second border? Ooh dearie me. After I took the thing off for the third time, I folded up the quilt and put it away. By now I totally hated the thing.
For some reason, yesterday afternoon I pulled that project out and had another look at it. It is a nice quilt. It deserves to be finished. It spoke to me. "Nicole, don't abandon me. You can figure out how to make this work".
First of all, I totally ignored the pattern instructions, which were causing me nothing but a crazy bad headache. I re-cut all the triangles for the black and tan border, allowing a bias edge on the long side of each of the triangles. This bias permitted me to ease the border on once I got all the triangles together. The pattern instructions strictly said "no bias edges on any triangles". Bad advice. That bias made all the difference and all four borders went on with little difficulty. They even measured the correct 64", and the previous ones made according to the pattern instructions were only 61". Thank goodness I had extra fabric or this quilt never would have gotten any borders!
I will add on one more solid border to add some size to the finished quilt, and to give it more of a complete look.
Sometimes it pays to revisit a project you think can't be salvaged! I am so glad I gave this quilt one last chance. It spoke to me again. It said "Thank you".
72 responses to “Surprise Finish”
It is such a pain when patterns are wrong. That sucks the fun out of quilting. I’m glad you finished the top, it’s beautiful.
It is such a pain when patterns are wrong. That sucks the fun out of quilting. I’m glad you finished the top, it’s beautiful.
Nicole – your quilt is beautiful and I’m glad you didn’t abandon it. I also had major issues with my Web Sampler finishing kit and I got mine from a different shop! I’m completely convinced they use EQ6 to design these layouts without ever pattern testing them. My instructions were tear-out-your-hair horrible too.
Nicole – your quilt is beautiful and I’m glad you didn’t abandon it. I also had major issues with my Web Sampler finishing kit and I got mine from a different shop! I’m completely convinced they use EQ6 to design these layouts without ever pattern testing them. My instructions were tear-out-your-hair horrible too.
I so appreciate your frankness, and I think Lisa D is right. It is only responsible to test patterns. And those who don’t, or who write bad directions deserve to be outed. Bravo for the report and a second bravo for the quilt!
I so appreciate your frankness, and I think Lisa D is right. It is only responsible to test patterns. And those who don’t, or who write bad directions deserve to be outed. Bravo for the report and a second bravo for the quilt!
Oh you poor quilter! Curse of the crazy pattern instructions! This quilt is certainly worth the trouble. It has turned out beautifully! Congrats for sticking with it. I think sometimes, when we walk away, we have time to learn new tricks and can approach the abandoned project with experience and confidence on our side. Looks like that’s exactly what you did!
Oh you poor quilter! Curse of the crazy pattern instructions! This quilt is certainly worth the trouble. It has turned out beautifully! Congrats for sticking with it. I think sometimes, when we walk away, we have time to learn new tricks and can approach the abandoned project with experience and confidence on our side. Looks like that’s exactly what you did!
Well worth the trouble you went through. It’s gorgeous! :o)
Well worth the trouble you went through. It’s gorgeous! :o)
Congratulations on finishing that project at last. I did not participate in that one, but two friends did. They also thought it was 1)pricey and 2) impossible to finish. Theirs are still in pieces.
Congratulations on finishing that project at last. I did not participate in that one, but two friends did. They also thought it was 1)pricey and 2) impossible to finish. Theirs are still in pieces.
Reminds me of the Meg Ryan line in the movie, French Kiss: “I will triumph!” Way to go for persevering. One thing I need to remember when starting a project is go to the pattern maker’s web site and look at the corrections page. You’d be surprised (or not) at the patterns that have addendums on them. Or you get a magazine and there is a correction for a pattern two or three issues back. We had a quilt shop that was notorious for shorting the fabric in kits. By the time you figure it out the fabric is no longer available. Luckily this is the exception rather than the rule. I’m proud of you for finishing it.
Reminds me of the Meg Ryan line in the movie, French Kiss: “I will triumph!” Way to go for persevering. One thing I need to remember when starting a project is go to the pattern maker’s web site and look at the corrections page. You’d be surprised (or not) at the patterns that have addendums on them. Or you get a magazine and there is a correction for a pattern two or three issues back. We had a quilt shop that was notorious for shorting the fabric in kits. By the time you figure it out the fabric is no longer available. Luckily this is the exception rather than the rule. I’m proud of you for finishing it.
Looks great, kudos for your persistence!
Looks great, kudos for your persistence!
Awesome that you went back and made it work. I have done two of the Patchwork Party, and one I had to give up on because of the instructions for the finishing kit…now you make me think of unburying it.
It is true how pricey these things end up being. I think I figured my last one cost about $215 just for the top! Shhh don’t tell DH lol. And it’s not like it was heavy applique to justify the cost.
Awesome that you went back and made it work. I have done two of the Patchwork Party, and one I had to give up on because of the instructions for the finishing kit…now you make me think of unburying it.
It is true how pricey these things end up being. I think I figured my last one cost about $215 just for the top! Shhh don’t tell DH lol. And it’s not like it was heavy applique to justify the cost.
I give you a lot of credit. I’ve been quilting for many years and I think I would’ve given up and just put plain borders on, but I’m so glad you didn’t. That patterned border looks great and really makes the whole quilt unique. Great job!
I give you a lot of credit. I’ve been quilting for many years and I think I would’ve given up and just put plain borders on, but I’m so glad you didn’t. That patterned border looks great and really makes the whole quilt unique. Great job!
You are my hero!!!!!!!!!!! I am standing up clapping for you! Those directions were the absolute worst directions I’ve ever had to deal with. I’m so glad you figured out a way to make it work and that you got both triangle borders on…mine only has one…I QUIT…had it quilted and I do love it now but it ruined Web Samplers for me forever…I haven’t done another one since and I won’t do another one.
You are my hero!!!!!!!!!!! I am standing up clapping for you! Those directions were the absolute worst directions I’ve ever had to deal with. I’m so glad you figured out a way to make it work and that you got both triangle borders on…mine only has one…I QUIT…had it quilted and I do love it now but it ruined Web Samplers for me forever…I haven’t done another one since and I won’t do another one.
It’s beautiful. I struggled with a BOM, first the directions, or lack of, then the background fabric supplied by the shop starting changing in color. (different dye lots). I’m back at it, after having cancer, off dye lots are no big deal *vbg* Congrats at getting this finished, and one more border will give some stability to all the bias piecing. Lovely job!
It’s beautiful. I struggled with a BOM, first the directions, or lack of, then the background fabric supplied by the shop starting changing in color. (different dye lots). I’m back at it, after having cancer, off dye lots are no big deal *vbg* Congrats at getting this finished, and one more border will give some stability to all the bias piecing. Lovely job!
Nicole- Good job on that quilt. It is quite beautiful. You must be getting a great feeling from the accomplishment.
Wendy
Nicole- Good job on that quilt. It is quite beautiful. You must be getting a great feeling from the accomplishment.
Wendy
That turned out fantabulous!!! I love it! I ditched mine and now I can’t remember where I bought it from so I’ll have to dig it up. I think it might be the same one that Lisa D. picked. I think I would have had to do what the other girl did and just put a border on it and forget the triangles but look at the reward at the end, gorgeous! Nancy in WI
That turned out fantabulous!!! I love it! I ditched mine and now I can’t remember where I bought it from so I’ll have to dig it up. I think it might be the same one that Lisa D. picked. I think I would have had to do what the other girl did and just put a border on it and forget the triangles but look at the reward at the end, gorgeous! Nancy in WI
It turned out so pretty, even for all the trouble it gave you. Bad instructions are so frustrating!!
It turned out so pretty, even for all the trouble it gave you. Bad instructions are so frustrating!!
I love the colors!
I love the colors!
Ive come across a few patterns with boo boos, but never one that bad! I congratulate you on finishing it, it looks great!
Ive come across a few patterns with boo boos, but never one that bad! I congratulate you on finishing it, it looks great!
i had bought the kit but have done nothing because of the reason you state. I know that I am not that experienced . Love the way yours turned out.
i had bought the kit but have done nothing because of the reason you state. I know that I am not that experienced . Love the way yours turned out.
Nicole, that is one AWESOME looking quilt! Good for you for the perseverance to finish it. I really love it…..but I don’t think I’ll be trying to make it! LOL
Nicole, that is one AWESOME looking quilt! Good for you for the perseverance to finish it. I really love it…..but I don’t think I’ll be trying to make it! LOL
I did that Web Sampler too, and just the blocks were a nightmare I thought, talk about poorly written directions! I got my finishing kit someplace else, don’t remember which shop now, and when I saw I had to cut like 600 little 2 inch blocks, I abandoned that idea and just make up my own setting for the blocks. I don’t know if I’ll ever do one of those again.
I did that Web Sampler too, and just the blocks were a nightmare I thought, talk about poorly written directions! I got my finishing kit someplace else, don’t remember which shop now, and when I saw I had to cut like 600 little 2 inch blocks, I abandoned that idea and just make up my own setting for the blocks. I don’t know if I’ll ever do one of those again.
First of all congratulations on the finish — it is a beautiful top despite all the trouble it put you through!
Thank you for this timely post. A friend had recently shown me a BOM that I was strongly thinking of doing. But like you, I realized that $9 a month was not that cheap after 12 months especially considering the additional expense of finishing kits and backing. I debated my hesitation at signing up but now I am glad I didn’t.
While I won’t rule out doing one in the future (but I must absolutely love it), you also gave me something to think about regarding being careful about the instructions included in a kit and maybe asking whether the project was tested since when you sign up for these things most state very clearly that you are committed to purchasing it to the end.
First of all congratulations on the finish — it is a beautiful top despite all the trouble it put you through!
Thank you for this timely post. A friend had recently shown me a BOM that I was strongly thinking of doing. But like you, I realized that $9 a month was not that cheap after 12 months especially considering the additional expense of finishing kits and backing. I debated my hesitation at signing up but now I am glad I didn’t.
While I won’t rule out doing one in the future (but I must absolutely love it), you also gave me something to think about regarding being careful about the instructions included in a kit and maybe asking whether the project was tested since when you sign up for these things most state very clearly that you are committed to purchasing it to the end.
I’m so glad you ignored the instructions and finished off the quilt your way! It is stunning!! Well done!
Paulette
I’m so glad you ignored the instructions and finished off the quilt your way! It is stunning!! Well done!
Paulette
Good Job! You took a mess and made a beautiful quilt – you should be proud of yourself – all your readers are proud of you!!!!
I guess I’m curious – have you told the shop owner about your trouble with the pattern? I work at a shop and write quite a few patterns, making a sample before it hits the sales floor. I try to make things very simple, but still worry that a customer will have problems with it. If you haven’t told the shop owner, please do – that’s the only way to help solve this type of problem.
Keep up the good work – and sounds like you are feeling better too – bravo!
Good Job! You took a mess and made a beautiful quilt – you should be proud of yourself – all your readers are proud of you!!!!
I guess I’m curious – have you told the shop owner about your trouble with the pattern? I work at a shop and write quite a few patterns, making a sample before it hits the sales floor. I try to make things very simple, but still worry that a customer will have problems with it. If you haven’t told the shop owner, please do – that’s the only way to help solve this type of problem.
Keep up the good work – and sounds like you are feeling better too – bravo!
Nicole, I hope this means you are feeling better. Great finish. It turned out beautifully. You and Mrs. Moen have motivated me to work on my own Finish It projects. I will be linking to both of your blogs tomorrow. Hope you don’t mind.
Nicole, I hope this means you are feeling better. Great finish. It turned out beautifully. You and Mrs. Moen have motivated me to work on my own Finish It projects. I will be linking to both of your blogs tomorrow. Hope you don’t mind.
I’m with everyone else here. The pattern needs to be tested before it’s sent to print. Yes, I know there are deadlines and all, but a bad pattern could turn someone away from quilting.
I have wrote patterns myself and I try to make it very simple for people. I have another person make the quilt following my directions and they would let me know where if any of the trouble spots were. I tried to write my patterns like Quilt In A Day. Step by step instructions and leave nothing out. Tell them when to press and what direction. I hate when patterns don’t tell you what direction to press.
Great job on your quilt. It looks great. I have a few projects that I’ve not finished because it got hard or the direction were wrote poorly.
I’m with everyone else here. The pattern needs to be tested before it’s sent to print. Yes, I know there are deadlines and all, but a bad pattern could turn someone away from quilting.
I have wrote patterns myself and I try to make it very simple for people. I have another person make the quilt following my directions and they would let me know where if any of the trouble spots were. I tried to write my patterns like Quilt In A Day. Step by step instructions and leave nothing out. Tell them when to press and what direction. I hate when patterns don’t tell you what direction to press.
Great job on your quilt. It looks great. I have a few projects that I’ve not finished because it got hard or the direction were wrote poorly.
Hi Nicole It’s A very nice quilt. You are on of the sort of people that can turn their hand to anything they try.lucky you.
Hugs Mary.
Hi Nicole It’s A very nice quilt. You are on of the sort of people that can turn their hand to anything they try.lucky you.
Hugs Mary.
Great quilt! So sad to have bad directions especially when the cost is so high. If the corners of the first border bother you, just throw some applique in there. It would look fantastic and appear to have been planned that way.
Great quilt! So sad to have bad directions especially when the cost is so high. If the corners of the first border bother you, just throw some applique in there. It would look fantastic and appear to have been planned that way.
It looks fabulous! No one would ever know how it tortured you!
It looks fabulous! No one would ever know how it tortured you!
Beautiful quilt, but your are right…the shoddy finishing instructions are beyond unacceptable, particularly at the price you paid. Your dilemma kind of sums up why I generally don’t take classes and why I prefer to come up with my own way of making things. Even if I’m using someone else’s design, I usually just make it the way it makes logical sense for me.
Beautiful quilt, but your are right…the shoddy finishing instructions are beyond unacceptable, particularly at the price you paid. Your dilemma kind of sums up why I generally don’t take classes and why I prefer to come up with my own way of making things. Even if I’m using someone else’s design, I usually just make it the way it makes logical sense for me.
It looks beautifull. Good for you for finishing it. I had it with two bom’s where the instructions were very poor and weren’t correct at all. Since them I am always thinking twice before starting a BOM and most of the time I decide no.
It looks beautifull. Good for you for finishing it. I had it with two bom’s where the instructions were very poor and weren’t correct at all. Since them I am always thinking twice before starting a BOM and most of the time I decide no.
It’s beautiful, Nicole, and a wonderful example of your quilting skills. How sad that someone without your knowledge and experience might have tried that and maybe become too frustrated to ever try quilting again. I agree with the person who said you should let the quilt shop know about your issues. I am working on a designer “mystery” quilt now…each block designed by someone different…and not a clue what the finished product will look like. I have the finishing kit on hand, and here’s hoping it goes together smoothly…I’m a little nervous now! LOL!
It’s beautiful, Nicole, and a wonderful example of your quilting skills. How sad that someone without your knowledge and experience might have tried that and maybe become too frustrated to ever try quilting again. I agree with the person who said you should let the quilt shop know about your issues. I am working on a designer “mystery” quilt now…each block designed by someone different…and not a clue what the finished product will look like. I have the finishing kit on hand, and here’s hoping it goes together smoothly…I’m a little nervous now! LOL!
I am so glad that you went back and figured it out on your own. I’ve done that a few times. This quilt top is wonderful. I love it. The colors are beautiful, and the blocks so well done. You did an amazing job with the borders considering how much trouble you had. Thanks for sharing it with us. It just gives us inspiration to look back at those quilts we struggle with and give them another try.
I am so glad that you went back and figured it out on your own. I’ve done that a few times. This quilt top is wonderful. I love it. The colors are beautiful, and the blocks so well done. You did an amazing job with the borders considering how much trouble you had. Thanks for sharing it with us. It just gives us inspiration to look back at those quilts we struggle with and give them another try.
The finished quilt top shows that you have the talent to work things out for yourself and come up with something good. I have hesitated to participate in the web samplers because of the cost.
The finished quilt top shows that you have the talent to work things out for yourself and come up with something good. I have hesitated to participate in the web samplers because of the cost.
Lovely top, Congratulations for getting it out and giving it another try. It was definitely worth the effort, I love it. I can see why several folks chose that finishing kit for those blocks.
Yes, I recently did the math on a block of the month, yikes, that is an expensive way to go.
Hope you’re finally feeling better
Lovely top, Congratulations for getting it out and giving it another try. It was definitely worth the effort, I love it. I can see why several folks chose that finishing kit for those blocks.
Yes, I recently did the math on a block of the month, yikes, that is an expensive way to go.
Hope you’re finally feeling better
your quilt looks great and sometimes I wonder what people were doing when they wrote some of the instructions I have seen…….
looks wonderful finished……..
your quilt looks great and sometimes I wonder what people were doing when they wrote some of the instructions I have seen…….
looks wonderful finished……..
A friend and I split a FQ pack of this fabric and then we each did our own blocks from Marsha McClosky’s book. We both bought the same finishing kit (not yours) and our instructions were horrible too. I’d think twice before doing that again. I agree that Fat Quarter Shop’s instructions are clear and easy to follow. Glad you finished it!
A friend and I split a FQ pack of this fabric and then we each did our own blocks from Marsha McClosky’s book. We both bought the same finishing kit (not yours) and our instructions were horrible too. I’d think twice before doing that again. I agree that Fat Quarter Shop’s instructions are clear and easy to follow. Glad you finished it!