is it possible to put sashing between your blocks so that the fact they don't match up won't be so obvious? It will likely change the pattern completely, but it, ay be better than trashing it.

[QUOTE=kristakz;5448616]A couple of thoughts. If it's the picture I saw, and your problem is that the points don't match, perhaps you could add some sashing between each block? Then the point matching won't be so important. You might still lose a few points, depending how you trimmed, but it won't be as obvious.

My thought exactly, sashing will sometimes do wonders!! Post pics, you may be way too hard on yourself...I have only trashed one quilt in all my years and that was a quilt as you go......it was awful and stitching didn't line up front and back...threw in the junk!!

Yes, I also get discouraged. I have been quilting for four years. I tend to be a perfectionist anyway. I still feel like a beginner in so many ways.
I went to a quilting retreat this spring where we used templates to make "Storm at Sea." I spent 15 hours cutting out my pieces. When I sewed the first block together, it was a mess. It won't lay flat, and I can't figure out what I did wrong. I tried really hard to do it correctly. Plus, I have about $100 in the fabric!
I finally just put it all in a large zip loc bag. Maybe someday, I'll come back to it and will have enough experience by then to figure out what I did wrong. But, for now, it was just too frustrating to keep at it.
Don't feel badly. I'm sure many of us have experienced the same thing.

IMHO as is the opinion of many quilting fiber artist there is no such thing as an error or things not matching up. I agree with you that I also do not use other people's patterns and make my own. I belong to at least two quilt guilds around here and another in another city in this state and they will tell you I have never used a pattern and refuse to do so. I have taken many online classes from quilting fiber artist who are known internationally who will tell you "rule #1 - there are no rules", "rule #2 - oh yeah there are no rules".

DO NOT THROW away your project, reinvent it into something else.

I've had ladies around here who are of the "cookie cutter mindset" tell me in the last year that when they first got to know me they felt bad for me and felt there was no hope for me because to them what I was attempting to create without another persons pattern and saw what I was doing was sending chills through there bodies and today they admire what I create although they feel they could never do what I do.

My point in sharing this is THERE REALLY ARE NO RULES even if you use a pattern. If it does not come out like you think it should based on the directions create your own design out of it and make it yours. If you really think about it all a pattern is for the most part someone who most likely used someone elses pattern and modified it into a new pattern to make it there own.

There are many things to do to salvage such a project so post a photo so we can see what your concerns are and we can make recommendations on how to make it your own.

I trashed all my blocks on a quilt I was working on a few years ago because they didn't turn out right and I was so frustrated. About 6 months later it came to me how to fix them. It was a lightbulb moment. Dang it! I had thrown it out and I could have fixed it. So, don't trash it. It might come to you some day or night, completely out of nowhere.

Keep trying, don't give up! Good Luck, can't wait to see your quilt! I'm with some of the other posters on here, I don't use patterns, I get ideas, then just do it MY WAY!

Jan, I wanted to make a comment, but wanted to read what everyone else said first. I'm glad I read all of them and saw your second post that you had been bolstered into trying again and had success. I was eager to add my comment to please don't be discouraged. You obviously have improved in the past year and still love quilting. And I was hoping you wouldn't trash the project since you said the fabrics were so pretty. So, good luck with the rest of the quilt, and I do hope to see pictures of the finished product. By the way, I've been quilting for about 9 years now and do something utterly stupid with every project. I just shake my head and keep going. I love quilting too much to give it up. Keep going girl!!

We certainly don't tackle simple projects, do we Jan! :-). Geez the pattern looks tough. I'm with those who think something can be done. Get that pic up!

I tend to be pretty hard on myself and later found that what I thought was a glaring error didn't even show when I put a quilt together. If I put it aside for a while I can usually think of a way to salvage my mess ups. Know you must be really frustrated.

There are no mistakes, just design changes.
What about sashing between the blocks? Blocks on point? Flying geese inbetween the blocks? With all that work and your love of the fabric finish it, use it and love it.

Don't trash it, show pictures & the experienced members on this board will be able to help you resolve your problem. Thanks for sharing.

Experience is only gained by doing. Some people make wonky quilts on purpose. I liked the idea of adding sashing. As long as you have tried, that is what is important. Pictures would help us to help you. See if there is anything you can salvage. I'd keep the fabric awhile to see if you later get an idea how to use it. For your next project, choose a simpler pattern. Each project you successfully complete is one more step up the ladder, and you will learn something with each one. Do not criticize yourself. At least you are making an effort.

When that happens to me I try 2 things: sashing it and/or put it away for awhile and see if it looks better after the next project. No where is it chiseled in granite that every project must be finished NOW. Some times walking away from it for a bit of time helps.

Hi Jan.....I know just where your coming from......Ive been quilting or should I say trying to quilt for almost 2 yrs now....Iam fine with panels and table toppers but when it comes to making those squares and triangles mine just dont work...Ive been watching a lot of video's and Iam learning some things here and there........so I made this WONKY quilt and it was the worst quilt Ive ever seen I think I laughed for an hour when I was almost done thank god it was just a small quilt....so what I did was made pot holders with it lol.....I wasnt going to trash it I figured well atleast I can see what I did wrong so those pot holders still make me laugh when I use them.

The moral of this story is dont give up....if it takes me 2 more years to do those dang squares oh well Iam going to get it sooner or later......so smile and just start another one....Iam going to start another one this week my problem is matching colors and then deciding which pattern to do....so I think Iam going to work on a scrappy quilt heck those you cant see mistakes lol......good luck.....Trish

I'm all for throwing it out if it won't work. But first I'd HAVE to figure out what went wrong and why it won't work! I think quiltmaking is, in a way, problem solving, and that's part of what appeals to me, perhaps....though I admit I get frustrated when things don't work as they should. Maybe it's the pattern and not you.

I certainly understand your disappointment and staying away from that sewing room! But when more time passes you'll feel better and be in there again.

Let us know what you decide to do!

As a quilting teacher, I can tell you that there are no no new mistakes; just new threads on old ones. I am sure that I have made every mistake out there, and just to be sure, have repeated a couple on occasions. When the problem is taking over, just step away from it for a while. I have one UFO that had been sitting in a box for years. When I finally took it out, I decided to finish it, mistakes and all! Well, OK, I did fix one mistake...I had to...that row was INCHES longer than the rest!:o And when all else fails, you can always slice and dice it for a border or binding on something else. Bottom line, it's probably not as bad as you think.

So true of me, too! I recently made a red and white sampler quilt. In my mind, that quilt was stunning! In reality, it looks quite ordinary. But I think I just got very tired of it before I finished and maybe that's why I'm disappointed. It may look better in a month or two!

There you go. ALthought there were a lot of fantastic posts here to encourage you not to trash it, that would have to be a sin......I am so glad you were determined to be able to finish it.
I read my patterns first and make sure they don't have your cutting down blocks. And if you have to, I would make sure the square is centered in the middle and measure out. I know points ar so hard to match.
If they are off by a pinch, I also love using a glue stick because....you just dab a little on the seams pts and attach the next piece to match seams.....Forget about the rest. When I sew iwth a glue stick, it seems to fit the fabrics right in and has the pts matched perfectly and the seams.....I taught this to several quilters.
I have a bargello that every seam matches on, using a glue stick, and the glue disappears as quickly as you put it on, once done.
Can't wait to see the results.
You'd be surprised how many of us have had to "make do" and "make it so". ....LOL. Been there done that.

Now go play and enjoy that quilt top.....No quilt police in your room. Hugs

I am not saying that this is what happened, but, let me tell you girl. Some of those designers of patterns are way off on the cutting sizes! There I have said it and I am not taking it back. I have learned the hard way this week to double check the sizes before cutting 84 of them wrong because the pattern "said" to.

Also, I am not saying this is your problem, but... The other thing that can go wrong is the pressing. Many people scrub on a block with steam and wonder why it is distorted and won't fit. A press is a straight down motion to press, lift, and then a straight down press.

All that being said. I think if the design is defeating your enjoyment of sewing the top, pass it on to someone who doesn't have much money or supplies, that will make you feel good and give them something to work on. A win win ending.

Bless your heart, this kind of thing sometimes happens to us all.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to cut blocks down. I've sewed for many years and still have problems with everything coming out perfectly, so this whole 'cutting down' movement is perfect for me! But if I am doing this and every block has to have a certain design feature, say a point intersection, at exactly the same place, I will put a bit of tape or some other visual clue on the ruler to be sure I cut all the pieces the same. I use Deb Tucker's rulers a lot, because not only is it a cut down procedure, but she has the lines on the ruler that need to one up with the square when you cut it down. To your current problem, like many have said, bag up the pieces and set them aside for a while so you can come back to them fresh, and not discouraged. They're not going anywhere, you don't have to feed them, so give it a rest, and move on to something else for a while. Good luck, and please don't be discouraged - this sort of thing has happened to all of us!

Good for you! :thumbup: Only 9 more rows to go.

Could be an error in the pattern or you might have accidently cut one piece off which throws everything out of balance. Fret not! Every problem like this is a "Design Challenge" and a learning experiencing. Send pix's if possible or just re-purpose your squares. At the price of fabric these days, I'd find a way to use what I so carefully did to this point.

Jan,
I learned that lesson too. I broke down and purchased just about every size square they make. When I trimmed the 8 1/2" blocks now, I take that square lay it right in the middle and make sure all the angles are correct and then trim them. I think lining up all the lines in the square before you cut is the answer. Right now make a unique border or put them together in an unique pattern of your own and NEVER tell a soul. My husband loves all the quilts I have made and doesn't realize my "creativity" has been stretched on several of them. I make every quilt a learning experience and love trying to figure out a neat way to solve a whoops on my part. No one is perfect....have a great day.

Did they do this with half square triangles? Hmmm... looks like it to me. I've seen tumbling blocks (what the center of this quilt is called, just that this one is a variation). I'll have to try a block or four. If my corners/pieces didn't match, I'd find the true center of the original blocks (make one from scrap fabrics), fold in half, press, and fold again and press...when you open it out..you will have the true center of the original block before triming, and you also have the center of all four sides. Now, open out the scrap block...with a sharpie (black or color you will be able to see through your blocks) draw a line (using a ruler) on all the fold lines. This gives you a test block for lining up your quilt blocks (you could do this on paper, drawing out a block, and penciling in seam lines...but an actual block gives a better referrence). Square up the block. Here is where you probably went off course. Let's say your test block is 9" square...that makes it 4-1/2" from center out...but you want it 8-1/2"...that's 4-1/4" from center out...find the 4-1/4" mark on your ruler...put a piece of painter's tape (or that fancy hot pink stuff) right at that 4-1/4" from the edge of the ruler mark....put the 4-1/4" line on the exact center of the quilt..matching the line you drew to the ruler line you taped off. whatever is sticking out from the edge of the ruler...trim. Repeat for all four corners. There are rulers for this...but if you don't have one...it's not that hard to do. Now your test block is ready to put to work.

Press all your blocks flat (this is where a lot of new quilter's have issues...they don't press every seam...think it's a waste of time..it's a very important step in making a quilt). Once you have them pressed...lay them one at a time onto the scrap block...Make a tiny chalk/erasable pen mark for the exact center, and all four corners. If one side of the quilt block is cut too small, line that edge up to the matching seam line in the test block. Measure in how much you have of the test block sticking out on that side. You want all the other sides of your block trimmed down so they also are 1/4" off (or whatever the amount is).
Yes, this will make the blocks smaller...but they should then fit together. Want the larger quilt size...add a bit to the largest border.

Confusing, but the fix can be done to save the quilt. We won't mention how many times I've done this, lol...happens more than I like to admit.

Ah, got it...two simple blocks...so one block is a square with two light corners & w dark corners, oposite of one another. The other made of split blocks. Still not sure why they would have you trim the blocks down...but, my idea to just trim more won't work with these blocks...It would cut off the points. Phoey.

Did you take the fabric off one side only. I did this once and my husband questioned whether I should have trimmed from all four sides. Anyway I put it together, rolled it up and put it in a sack. The colors were beautiful. I named this my "God Awful Quilt" The park association was sponsoring a family in need, desperate for blankets, out came the quilt in the bag, we tied it and donated it to the family and they thought it was the most beautiful quilt they had seen.

Been there, done that. My suggestion is to trim you block down just a little bit, maybe 8" and if the quilt it smaller than you want add a border to make up for the difference.

Thank you all for all your support! I have worked all day and only have 4 rows completed but I am so happy with them now. I have ripped, trimmed, sewn (sometimes quite a few times before I am satisfied). It is so much better than it was. 6 rows remaining and then three borders - one of which is pretty detailed - but I am DONE for the day. I don't think I would have tried if it hadn't been for all the encouragement. I honestly felt like you were all in there with me! What a great group! Only other quilters would ever truly understand. Here's my WIP.....The picture does not do the fabric colors justice.

Your quilt is lovely. Congratulations for continuing on. For the next time, just remember that Wonky quilts are in. I am thinking of paying high dollar for a pattern to make a wonky quilt! {Not that all mine are not wonky ;)} But a planned wonky. I expect it was an accident before it was a money maker.

It looks terrific. Glad you didn't give up on it!

Googled Shadowplay quilt & that is one awesome quilt. Looks pretty difficult though. God Bless you for trying & making such an effort. Don't be so hard on yourself. I agree with gollytwo, only God is perfect & we all learn from our mistakes (I prefer to say misguided efforts). I would put it away for a week or so & move on to something else & then go back to it & see if you can see it in a slightly less critical light. Good luck to you.Let us know how you make out.

Jan, you have done a wonderful job on this. I'm impressed with you sticking with it. The picture show a beautiful quilt

Jan, I think that if you post some pictures someone here should be able to help. I can't even imagine how many years of experience are here, nor can I imagine throwing it out with out giving them a try.

I am so happy for you, that is one fabulous quilt and I love the colors. Great job!
Glad you hung in there...........

Things that I screw up go in my scrap box to be used later. I have quite a collection! Don't give up as you will find a use for it in the future. I would not throw them away. Good luck.

Well shame on me. I just googled Shadowplay and no, no amount of sashing would work.

Put some shashing around each block and then you don't have to worry that the blocks align. Why toss good fabric. Surely you can use it to cover up with or give to someone who could use it.

I put quilts in Time Out when they don't behave. Have one there now that's been in Time Out since about March. Need to have it finished in November so about time to pull it out. Seems every time I allow a quilt top out of Time Out it behaves so much better.

Be comforted in the idea that we have all been where you are. Your top is coming together wonderfully - I'm impressed at your stick-to-it-ness!

nope, sashing wouldn't have worked, but it sure doesn't look like you needed it!!! I love the comment about putting a quilt on time out....never thought of it that way, I do the same thing.....and she's right they behave much better when you take them back out!!! I just did the same thing with a block of the month I was working on with a lot of HST, I literally balled it up and through it....waited a week or so and went at it again and it worked just fine!!

Great job, Jan. It looks beautiful. DH should be so proud of you.