You all know I was making flying geese units last week. Most of them turned out fine and dandy like the one pictured at the top of my photo. A few turned out not so great, like the one below. See how the fabric doesn't match up at the top?
Obviously, both units need trimming (the little "dog ears" should be snipped off). But here's the question.
What would you do with the lower unit? Would you take it apart and re-sew it so everything lined up perfectly? Or would you take your scissors and just trim that entire left hand top side so the top edge is lined up evenly? Which of course would make your rectangle not so perfect. You can always sort of fudge things when you sew the piece together with whatever it is lining up to, so the inner point is not completely cut into. Can't you?
What would you do?
88 responses to “Fess Up.”
I know what I “should” do, but I would probably just cut it.
I’m trying to get more precise but with working and everything, sometimes when I finally get to quilting, I just want to get it done.
I know, bad.
So, what did you do?
I know what I “should” do, but I would probably just cut it.
I’m trying to get more precise but with working and everything, sometimes when I finally get to quilting, I just want to get it done.
I know, bad.
So, what did you do?
If there are just a few lopsided geese, I would take them apart and resew. If that doesn’t work, I would cut new patches. Crazy, I know but that’s what I would do. It could also depend on the project they are going in.
Let us know what you do.
Have a great day,
Christina D
If there are just a few lopsided geese, I would take them apart and resew. If that doesn’t work, I would cut new patches. Crazy, I know but that’s what I would do. It could also depend on the project they are going in.
Let us know what you do.
Have a great day,
Christina D
Knowing myself like I do (I can sometimes be quite persnickety), I would take the geese apart and re-do. That doesn’t help you a whole lot, but it would be what I’d do.
Knowing myself like I do (I can sometimes be quite persnickety), I would take the geese apart and re-do. That doesn’t help you a whole lot, but it would be what I’d do.
Oh, that never happens to me! OK, that’s a fib. I really don’t like ripping out and sometimes with those bias edges, you end up in worse shape. I would try to “fix” it by lining it up with the adjoining piece and see if the mistake can be lost in the seam allowance. I don’t like cutting off points, so if that didn’t work I’d probably cut a new piece.
Oh, that never happens to me! OK, that’s a fib. I really don’t like ripping out and sometimes with those bias edges, you end up in worse shape. I would try to “fix” it by lining it up with the adjoining piece and see if the mistake can be lost in the seam allowance. I don’t like cutting off points, so if that didn’t work I’d probably cut a new piece.
Perfectionist that I am, I would take it apart and resew.
Perfectionist that I am, I would take it apart and resew.
I hate to unsew, and I avoid it if at all possible. As long as there is a reasonable amount of fabric left so I can sew without chopping off a point, I leave it. I would probably trim this by placing the 1/4″ line of my ruler at the point, then trim whatever extends beyond that. I’d put a pin it the piece so I know that I have to fudge it when I sew it to another piece.
I hate to unsew, and I avoid it if at all possible. As long as there is a reasonable amount of fabric left so I can sew without chopping off a point, I leave it. I would probably trim this by placing the 1/4″ line of my ruler at the point, then trim whatever extends beyond that. I’d put a pin it the piece so I know that I have to fudge it when I sew it to another piece.
sad to say that it would depend if the quilt was a gift or for me. I have a whole flying geese quilt on my bed made from somewhat imperfect geese from another project. It doesn’t bother me since I love the scrappy fabric ad it’s just across the bed in case I get cold(like that could happen!!!I’m afraid that when making gifts, I tend to be wasteful in that I would just make another perfect one and move on saving the imperfect for another thing.
sad to say that it would depend if the quilt was a gift or for me. I have a whole flying geese quilt on my bed made from somewhat imperfect geese from another project. It doesn’t bother me since I love the scrappy fabric ad it’s just across the bed in case I get cold(like that could happen!!!I’m afraid that when making gifts, I tend to be wasteful in that I would just make another perfect one and move on saving the imperfect for another thing.
it all depends on how many i mess up, how bad, and what the project is for… i should take it out and do it again but my choice is determined by the above factors… and more often than not if i can work with it i do!
it all depends on how many i mess up, how bad, and what the project is for… i should take it out and do it again but my choice is determined by the above factors… and more often than not if i can work with it i do!
You know me – I would have to take it out and redo, or toss it aside and make a new one. I love the Elenor Burns flying geese rulers – perfect geese every time!
You know me – I would have to take it out and redo, or toss it aside and make a new one. I love the Elenor Burns flying geese rulers – perfect geese every time!
Sorry Nicole, but if you don’t unpick you will lose the point at the top and that won’t look too good…….for the few seconds it takes it is worth it…..after all you will be looking at the quilt for many years to come.
Sorry Nicole, but if you don’t unpick you will lose the point at the top and that won’t look too good…….for the few seconds it takes it is worth it…..after all you will be looking at the quilt for many years to come.
If I could fudge them and still get my points I would not rip them. I have been known to use an 1/8″ seam allowance. I have to have my points when doing geese. I would kick myself later If they were cut off and ask myself why did I let that happen.
If I could fudge them and still get my points I would not rip them. I have been known to use an 1/8″ seam allowance. I have to have my points when doing geese. I would kick myself later If they were cut off and ask myself why did I let that happen.
Fudge it. If I can get away with it I will fudge, fudge, fudge. I almost end up stretch the fabric somehow when ripping seams, or nicking myself in some inventive manner. Cutting leaves room for more…um….oooops. Especially when I’m distracted, which is almost always. 1/8 seam allowance, and a little stretch, normally work for me.
Fudge it. If I can get away with it I will fudge, fudge, fudge. I almost end up stretch the fabric somehow when ripping seams, or nicking myself in some inventive manner. Cutting leaves room for more…um….oooops. Especially when I’m distracted, which is almost always. 1/8 seam allowance, and a little stretch, normally work for me.
I redo the block. Otherwise everytime I see the quilt my eye goes directly to that one tiny block. My friend on the other hand, feels that matching points are happy accidents because she has a “10 feet from a running horse” rule. (If you can’t see the mistake from 10 feet away while on a running horse, it’s close enough).
I redo the block. Otherwise everytime I see the quilt my eye goes directly to that one tiny block. My friend on the other hand, feels that matching points are happy accidents because she has a “10 feet from a running horse” rule. (If you can’t see the mistake from 10 feet away while on a running horse, it’s close enough).
I hate when that thing happens with the flying geese. It would be easy to trim the fabric but then you wouldn’t have that 1/4″ seam allowance. I guess I vote for the re-do, it’s only one flying geese, it will go fast.
I hate when that thing happens with the flying geese. It would be easy to trim the fabric but then you wouldn’t have that 1/4″ seam allowance. I guess I vote for the re-do, it’s only one flying geese, it will go fast.
I’ve gotta agree with Maggie – this one is enough off to “need fixin”. What method did you use – Miss Rosie’s with 1 large square and 4 small squares or sew and flip with 4 rectangles and 8 squares? I would rather do Miss Rosie’s method, but if I have to do sew and flip – they never come out exact for me and I only trim away the excess star point fabric and leave the rectangle uncut and at least it fits with the other pieces even if it’s a “little off”. Have a great week!
I’ve gotta agree with Maggie – this one is enough off to “need fixin”. What method did you use – Miss Rosie’s with 1 large square and 4 small squares or sew and flip with 4 rectangles and 8 squares? I would rather do Miss Rosie’s method, but if I have to do sew and flip – they never come out exact for me and I only trim away the excess star point fabric and leave the rectangle uncut and at least it fits with the other pieces even if it’s a “little off”. Have a great week!
I would tackle the problem differently depending on how badly skewed the geese was. If it has completely abandoned the flock and there is no was that I can herd the piece in without chopping off the point. I would discard and start over (nope, would not resew, I would just toss), but if the errant geese is just a bit off kilter I would fudge it into place at the time I put the geese together. As long as I get my points to show and that it doesn’t ‘bubble’ the spot, no one will see that instead of a quarter of and inch seam I have an eigth.
I would tackle the problem differently depending on how badly skewed the geese was. If it has completely abandoned the flock and there is no was that I can herd the piece in without chopping off the point. I would discard and start over (nope, would not resew, I would just toss), but if the errant geese is just a bit off kilter I would fudge it into place at the time I put the geese together. As long as I get my points to show and that it doesn’t ‘bubble’ the spot, no one will see that instead of a quarter of and inch seam I have an eigth.
Probably try to fudge. Me and triangles don’t get along all that well. So I would fudge, and then it wouldn’t come out right, but I would convince myself it was fine, and it might not be, and then I would never finish the project. lol
On the other hand, if I really (really, really) loved the project, I would probably unsew it and fix it.
Probably try to fudge. Me and triangles don’t get along all that well. So I would fudge, and then it wouldn’t come out right, but I would convince myself it was fine, and it might not be, and then I would never finish the project. lol
On the other hand, if I really (really, really) loved the project, I would probably unsew it and fix it.
Unpick, redo or start over. :~)
Unpick, redo or start over. :~)
I would toss it and make a new one, unless you are running short on fabric, which I suspect NOT to be the case. I too use Eleanor Burns flying geese rulers and get good results.
I would toss it and make a new one, unless you are running short on fabric, which I suspect NOT to be the case. I too use Eleanor Burns flying geese rulers and get good results.
Hi Nicole . . . I would take it apart . . .
but . . . I have to tell you . . . I don’t have this problem anymore . . . since I bought the Kaye England rulers . . . everything lines up . . . PERFECTLY . . . no more cutting pieces in half etc . . .
you cut the middle piece with one ruler . . . and the side pieces with a different ruler . . . and they just match . . .
I now have all her rulers . . . the only ones I use now . . . plus a portion of the money spent goes to the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation . . .
Hi Nicole . . . I would take it apart . . .
but . . . I have to tell you . . . I don’t have this problem anymore . . . since I bought the Kaye England rulers . . . everything lines up . . . PERFECTLY . . . no more cutting pieces in half etc . . .
you cut the middle piece with one ruler . . . and the side pieces with a different ruler . . . and they just match . . .
I now have all her rulers . . . the only ones I use now . . . plus a portion of the money spent goes to the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation . . .
unsew, resew, if that didn’t work, recut, resew. It just makes the rest of the project more enjoyable.
Sharon
unsew, resew, if that didn’t work, recut, resew. It just makes the rest of the project more enjoyable.
Sharon
What you need is Deb Tucker’s new ruler “The Wing Clipper” and her new method for doing flying geese. Just google Deb Tucker or Studio 180 Design and click on Shop. Hope this helps, Judy
What you need is Deb Tucker’s new ruler “The Wing Clipper” and her new method for doing flying geese. Just google Deb Tucker or Studio 180 Design and click on Shop. Hope this helps, Judy
Fudge! Fudge! Fudge is my middle name.
Fudge! Fudge! Fudge is my middle name.
If I didn’t have enough fabric to make a new one, I would carefully pick it out and re-do. All this is a moot point as I know that you will re-do it as you are a perfectionist! It would drive you nuts and jump out like a neon light to you in the finished quilt if you didn’t.
With that said, I like to make my flying geese a little differently. I cut a rectangle and then do two magic corners. I’m sure you know what I mean. After sewing on and ironing back the squares, you cut out the middle layer. Never, never cutting off the back piece ala Mary Ellen Hopkins. She would send the quilt police after you if you did!
If I didn’t have enough fabric to make a new one, I would carefully pick it out and re-do. All this is a moot point as I know that you will re-do it as you are a perfectionist! It would drive you nuts and jump out like a neon light to you in the finished quilt if you didn’t.
With that said, I like to make my flying geese a little differently. I cut a rectangle and then do two magic corners. I’m sure you know what I mean. After sewing on and ironing back the squares, you cut out the middle layer. Never, never cutting off the back piece ala Mary Ellen Hopkins. She would send the quilt police after you if you did!
I’m comfortable fudging that. My mentor once told me that part of the skill of a quilter isn’t just precision.
…It’s also the ability to Fudge! Fudge! Fudge! Working with your mistakes and still making a near precise (if not precise) quilt.
I’ve learned that sometimes I’d just rather re-piece because sometimes the to fudge requires more skill. I wonder what Susan RC would say to that?
I’m comfortable fudging that. My mentor once told me that part of the skill of a quilter isn’t just precision.
…It’s also the ability to Fudge! Fudge! Fudge! Working with your mistakes and still making a near precise (if not precise) quilt.
I’ve learned that sometimes I’d just rather re-piece because sometimes the to fudge requires more skill. I wonder what Susan RC would say to that?
I’d probably toss it in the parts drawer and start over. Undoing bias seams is usually a disaster.
I’d probably toss it in the parts drawer and start over. Undoing bias seams is usually a disaster.
No confessions from me! But I will tell you that I only snip out the middle fabric piece so that I have the original rectangle (straight line)always there as a guide.
No confessions from me! But I will tell you that I only snip out the middle fabric piece so that I have the original rectangle (straight line)always there as a guide.
When making flying geese I make them bigger by about 1/8th” and then trim to size, this seems to work for me.
When making flying geese I make them bigger by about 1/8th” and then trim to size, this seems to work for me.
I would probably take it a part and resew it at least once and then after that fudge it!
I would probably take it a part and resew it at least once and then after that fudge it!
I would probably re-do it, especially if there’s a risk of cutting off my point.
Although….a few years ago I was poring over an article on Alex Anderson in a quilt magazine. There were several photos of her home, including a close-up of a blue and white quilt in her front entryway. This sounds terrible, but I was thrilled to see that some of her points were cut off. It just settled me down a bit in my quest for perfection. After all, it’s homemade. Those small imperfections remind me of what went into it. Besides, if all my quilts turned out perfectly, I’d have nothing to aspire to. lol.
I would probably re-do it, especially if there’s a risk of cutting off my point.
Although….a few years ago I was poring over an article on Alex Anderson in a quilt magazine. There were several photos of her home, including a close-up of a blue and white quilt in her front entryway. This sounds terrible, but I was thrilled to see that some of her points were cut off. It just settled me down a bit in my quest for perfection. After all, it’s homemade. Those small imperfections remind me of what went into it. Besides, if all my quilts turned out perfectly, I’d have nothing to aspire to. lol.
Hi Nicole,
it seems you’ve hit a nerve with your question…
If I had to answer the question when I started quilting I’d probably said – fudge! {as long as there is enough seam allowance left & the point won’t get lost}. Now I learned my lessons and would re-sew those geese…but I have a “rule” for myself because I don’t like ripping that much. If the piece isn’t perfect after the 3rd attempt, it wasn’t meant to be ;o)
Have a great week,
Julia
Hi Nicole,
it seems you’ve hit a nerve with your question…
If I had to answer the question when I started quilting I’d probably said – fudge! {as long as there is enough seam allowance left & the point won’t get lost}. Now I learned my lessons and would re-sew those geese…but I have a “rule” for myself because I don’t like ripping that much. If the piece isn’t perfect after the 3rd attempt, it wasn’t meant to be ;o)
Have a great week,
Julia
I would take it out because I am too picky about my sewing. I usually use Eleanor Burns flying geese ruler and pretty much get perfect geese every time. I’ve seen your work and I’m sure you took it out also.
I would take it out because I am too picky about my sewing. I usually use Eleanor Burns flying geese ruler and pretty much get perfect geese every time. I’ve seen your work and I’m sure you took it out also.
That’s why I always cut a few extra and can choose the best. The rest go in my scrap box.
That’s why I always cut a few extra and can choose the best. The rest go in my scrap box.
No matter how you fudge this one you will cut off the point. Either unpick or make another one. I would make another one!
Judy B
No matter how you fudge this one you will cut off the point. Either unpick or make another one. I would make another one!
Judy B
I admit…I am a fudger…if I can reasonably get away with it and keep my point, I fudge. I always say I strive for completion and not perfection…I don’t typically make quilts for judged shows, so I just make it work! But you should do what you’re comfy with! :o)
I admit…I am a fudger…if I can reasonably get away with it and keep my point, I fudge. I always say I strive for completion and not perfection…I don’t typically make quilts for judged shows, so I just make it work! But you should do what you’re comfy with! :o)
OH Nicole you know I am new at this But I would unpick and if that dident work and you have plenty material start from the begining and make a new block.
Hugs Mary.
OH Nicole you know I am new at this But I would unpick and if that dident work and you have plenty material start from the begining and make a new block.
Hugs Mary.
I drive myself crazy with my need for perfectionism. If I had enough fabric, I would cut another unit and redo it. However, I am not saying that is what others should do. I wish I could fudge it sometimes!
I drive myself crazy with my need for perfectionism. If I had enough fabric, I would cut another unit and redo it. However, I am not saying that is what others should do. I wish I could fudge it sometimes!
I’d throw it away because it would drive me batty to have it be not perfect in the quilt and it would break my heart to have to resew something I’ve already sewn once. If I had enough fabric I would just make extra.
Rachel
I’d throw it away because it would drive me batty to have it be not perfect in the quilt and it would break my heart to have to resew something I’ve already sewn once. If I had enough fabric I would just make extra.
Rachel
I’d grab my scissors and trim that baby! That’s what I’d do. lol
I’d grab my scissors and trim that baby! That’s what I’d do. lol
If I had enough fabric I’d cut another. Otherwise, I’d take it apart and sew again. I can’t help it, I’m totally anal retentive. There’s no known cure.
If I had enough fabric I’d cut another. Otherwise, I’d take it apart and sew again. I can’t help it, I’m totally anal retentive. There’s no known cure.
Nicole, Like Sandi, I go with the 1/4 inch rule. I check where my seam allowance edge is with the ruler…if there is enough wiggle room I trim anything above the 1/4 inch BUT, I also check the 45 degree angle at the same time because if that is off, it will put the block out of square and make it much harder to Fudge when I get to it. So I check both lines. I also mark any blocks I need to ‘work’ with by putting a pin in them. I’ve read several things that say if you are a perfectionist DO NOT take up quilting or you’ll go crazy and never accomplish anything satisfying, I agree. I’m getting pretty good at the Fudge technique but my quilter always comments that she enjoys working on my quilts because they are square and straight, that way, she can concentrate on quilting and not trying to keep everything lined up or slowing down to ‘tuck’ seams that are off. I try to do things right, but sometimes, you just gotta go with what you have…
Nicole, Like Sandi, I go with the 1/4 inch rule. I check where my seam allowance edge is with the ruler…if there is enough wiggle room I trim anything above the 1/4 inch BUT, I also check the 45 degree angle at the same time because if that is off, it will put the block out of square and make it much harder to Fudge when I get to it. So I check both lines. I also mark any blocks I need to ‘work’ with by putting a pin in them. I’ve read several things that say if you are a perfectionist DO NOT take up quilting or you’ll go crazy and never accomplish anything satisfying, I agree. I’m getting pretty good at the Fudge technique but my quilter always comments that she enjoys working on my quilts because they are square and straight, that way, she can concentrate on quilting and not trying to keep everything lined up or slowing down to ‘tuck’ seams that are off. I try to do things right, but sometimes, you just gotta go with what you have…
Always fudge rather than frog if you can get away with it – mind you if it were me I’d be more likely to make a new one and resign the duff one to the scrap bin :o) but that’s because I’m lazy and don’t like to have to faff around
Always fudge rather than frog if you can get away with it – mind you if it were me I’d be more likely to make a new one and resign the duff one to the scrap bin :o) but that’s because I’m lazy and don’t like to have to faff around
If I had enough fabric I would just make another unit and put the bad’un in the scraps. If not, then I’d re-sew.
The only time I would trim back is if the unit is oversized and I had space to square up without ruining points.
Fudging seems a lot of trouble for the sake of a few flying geese units.
If I had enough fabric I would just make another unit and put the bad’un in the scraps. If not, then I’d re-sew.
The only time I would trim back is if the unit is oversized and I had space to square up without ruining points.
Fudging seems a lot of trouble for the sake of a few flying geese units.
I was just thinking about this today…trying to sew some blocks together and they weren’t going the way I like and debating how much imperfection I could tolerate!
I decided to leave it and think about it.
Now I’m thinking I’ll leave it in it’s “impefect, I tried my best,
and I hate unsewing” condition!
I was just thinking about this today…trying to sew some blocks together and they weren’t going the way I like and debating how much imperfection I could tolerate!
I decided to leave it and think about it.
Now I’m thinking I’ll leave it in it’s “impefect, I tried my best,
and I hate unsewing” condition!