BlueChicken

This is so exciting, I'm so glad I got mine in on time!

mrsj82

Sweet! I cannot wait to see what blocks come back my way!

Marcia

When Judy asked if anyone would like to do a block exchange I was the very first person to say yes. I was so excited about doing this. Now it is a different story.

I give up!!! I have been trying for over a week to make my star blocks and I quit! Nothing is coming out right and I am so frustrated that I have thrown in the towel.

I picked the laced star block off of quilter's cache. It is an 8" block, so I redrew it to 12". No problem. It is paper pieced so I divided it into fourths and took it to Staples and made 48 copies (4 for each of 12 blocks). No problem there. I bought 4 really pretty blues, ranging from light to dark and a white on white that has little tiny stars printed on it. Great-love the fabrics.

Cut everything out and paper pieced all 48 sections--no problems there--I had labeled everything really well, so no screw ups with the colors. I did run out of white and had to go back for more--little problem--no more of stars, so purchased white on white dots...still cute, problem solved.

Now, I have been trying to sew my sections together....BIG problems. Because I am paper piecing, the edges are all bias and are stretching--no 2 blocks are coming out the same size, the seams are not matching up, etc. I have tried leaving the paper on until I am completely done assembling them, tearing the paper off as I go, tearing off all the paper and then sewing, trimming each block first and then assembling, etc. NOTHING is working.

I had already resigned myself to spending an arm and a leg and sending these overnight mail in order to make the mailing deadline, but I am afraid that I am going to have to let everyone down and not participate at all. I am so disappointed, but I cannot pass off this pathetic example of a quilt block to any of you. Please accept my apologies. I have certainly learned my lesson---next time I will stick to something easier-something I know I can do.

BlueChicken

Oh dude... that looks stunning!!

I keep looking at the picture for the terrible result and I'm just not seeing it. One side looks slightly bowed? It doesn't look like it's out enough to be a problem.

It's not up to me, but my vote is that isn't enough of a defect to pull out. I'd love to get one of those back.

LoriJ

Wow Marcia, that block looks great! Where is the problem, is it in the ending size? Paper piecing can be a bear sometimes, but maybe between all of us, we can help you solve this one and at least you'll have 12 pretty stars for your own use.

mgshaw

I love the block Marcia!!! How far are they off? Judy will accept an 1/8" off. I dont want you to miss out on this!!!!!! :cry:

mrsj82

I'm with them *points up there* I don't see the horrible results...that looks simply stunning...maybe we can help?

BlueChicken

I do the 1/8th thing too.... that's the limit for being "out" when I make something. It's very rare that everything turns out to be exactly the size it should be! lol

I think your stars look great, I'd love to get one.

Marcia

Thanks for trying to lift me up, everyone. It is not so much the size as it is the wonkiness of it. (yes, wonky is a word) Because the edges are biases they do not lay as flat and smooth as they should. Plus, some of the points to the stars are not coming out perfect in the corners. If this was just for me, I would not worry about it-would just fudge a little here and there and deal with it. But it is for you all, and you have worked so hard on your blocks and you deserve my best in return.

mgshaw

Marcia If I always had perfect points or never cut off a point then I would say okay dont send them but since mine are never perfect I dont mind a little shared imperfection!!!!