My sewing experience this past weekend was a mixed bag. On the one hand, I made a few more Magic of Christmas blocks (using the Judy Hopkins 101 Rotary Cut Quilt Blocks book). I ended up attempting 5 blocks and ending up with 4 successful blocks. What I should have done is quit around 2:00 in the afternoon on Sunday. But no, I kept going.
Things started to go down hill when I embarked upon Block 10 in the Magic of Christmas Sew Along. The designer, Lisa Bongean posted that the block units for this block were super tiny and that she had resorted to using tiny triangle papers after scrapping her first effort following the block construction directions. I got the bright idea to use my Easy Angle ruler to make the 32 one inch half square triangles. At least I thought they were supposed to be one inch square. I made 32 of them, and yes they were small. See how they compare to the size of the bobbin in the photo above.
Only, guess what? The half square triangles were not supposed to be one inch square. I made 32 of them all the wrong size. They did come out brilliantly with the Easy Angle ruler, and it is a shame I didn't make them whatever size they were supposed to be. I made some more at 1 1/2 inches square, and that didn't seem to be right either. So I gave up. Those are two hours I will never see again.
Deciding Block 10 wasn't for me, I moved on to Block 11.
I made block 11 with little issue, except that I turned the outer four corner blocks the wrong way for one of the blocks, making T's instead of a star.
See the center red block? It is supposed to look like the green one just down and to the right. Isn't it amazing what turning four little half square triangles can do to change up the entire look of a quilt block? That T has been taken apart and will be reassembled. I have nothing against the letter T, but I like having these blocks be more star shaped.
As I say, my sewing this weekend so so. I should have quit sewing at 2:00 on Sunday and taken a lint roller to my hairy design wall. Cleaning that mess up would have been a better use of my time!
Sometimes you just need to know when to walk away.
24 responses to “Sometimes You Just Need To Walk Away”
OMG those are little and you did them twice. Madness IMHO Nicole!!! Boy you have to look twice to see those are the same parts in those two blocks. I hope you enjoyed a glass of wine after all that effort!!
Mary
OMG those are little and you did them twice. Madness IMHO Nicole!!! Boy you have to look twice to see those are the same parts in those two blocks. I hope you enjoyed a glass of wine after all that effort!!
Mary
OMG those are little and you did them twice. Madness IMHO Nicole!!! Boy you have to look twice to see those are the same parts in those two blocks. I hope you enjoyed a glass of wine after all that effort!!
Mary
I was going to make these blocks but I have decided to pass on them and make a 6″ red and white school house blocks. I will paper piece them.
I was going to make these blocks but I have decided to pass on them and make a 6″ red and white school house blocks. I will paper piece them.
I was going to make these blocks but I have decided to pass on them and make a 6″ red and white school house blocks. I will paper piece them.
Eeks! These blocks are a lot trickier than I anticipated and I am only doing one of each in the city colors. They are definitely skill builders for me and I am determined to keep plugging along. You are speedy! I have 8 and 9 cut and ready to sew. When I read the directions for 10 on her blog I looked and happened to have 1″ triangle paper. Not sure why I already own this but I will be using it. You have done a beautiful job with your blocks and seeing them inspires me.
Eeks! These blocks are a lot trickier than I anticipated and I am only doing one of each in the city colors. They are definitely skill builders for me and I am determined to keep plugging along. You are speedy! I have 8 and 9 cut and ready to sew. When I read the directions for 10 on her blog I looked and happened to have 1″ triangle paper. Not sure why I already own this but I will be using it. You have done a beautiful job with your blocks and seeing them inspires me.
Eeks! These blocks are a lot trickier than I anticipated and I am only doing one of each in the city colors. They are definitely skill builders for me and I am determined to keep plugging along. You are speedy! I have 8 and 9 cut and ready to sew. When I read the directions for 10 on her blog I looked and happened to have 1″ triangle paper. Not sure why I already own this but I will be using it. You have done a beautiful job with your blocks and seeing them inspires me.
Those are two hours I will never see again. But the real bummer is the two groups of HST that you will see again and again and again until you decide to give away, throw away, put away all because you did not know when to walk away, lol.
Those are two hours I will never see again. But the real bummer is the two groups of HST that you will see again and again and again until you decide to give away, throw away, put away all because you did not know when to walk away, lol.
Those are two hours I will never see again. But the real bummer is the two groups of HST that you will see again and again and again until you decide to give away, throw away, put away all because you did not know when to walk away, lol.
You can count those two hours as being ‘a learning experience’ which sounds so much better than ‘hours you’ll never see again!’ I admire your perseverance, no matter the term you use!
You can count those two hours as being ‘a learning experience’ which sounds so much better than ‘hours you’ll never see again!’ I admire your perseverance, no matter the term you use!
You can count those two hours as being ‘a learning experience’ which sounds so much better than ‘hours you’ll never see again!’ I admire your perseverance, no matter the term you use!
Been there done that and yes that kind of experience leaves a bitter sense of frustration.
Looking forward to more blocks.
Been there done that and yes that kind of experience leaves a bitter sense of frustration.
Looking forward to more blocks.
Been there done that and yes that kind of experience leaves a bitter sense of frustration.
Looking forward to more blocks.
I didn’t start with my blocks yet but I love seeing yours! They are beautiful:-)
I didn’t start with my blocks yet but I love seeing yours! They are beautiful:-)
I didn’t start with my blocks yet but I love seeing yours! They are beautiful:-)
Hang in there! You an take a deep breath and contine just as you wish to do. No quilt police and no one but yourself to please!
Hugs!
Hang in there! You an take a deep breath and contine just as you wish to do. No quilt police and no one but yourself to please!
Hugs!
Hang in there! You an take a deep breath and contine just as you wish to do. No quilt police and no one but yourself to please!
Hugs!