Saturday, February 23, 2013

Do you suffer from quilter's dyslexia?

I know I do.  No matter how carefully I lay out a block - even right next to me while I sit at the machine - I manage to turn at least one piece the wrong way.  In this block it was four pieces.  Plus an even larger piece.  I took the four half-square triangle squares off the corner because once the block was together I noticed that all four of them were turned wrong.  While I was taking those apart I noticed that one of the flying geese was upside down.  At least I discovered that before I'd sewn the whole block back together.

So leave me a comment on this post if you suffer from this also - I'd love to get an idea of how many of us there are out in Quiltland.


Here I was feeling so smug, thinking how quick and easy this block was going together.  Normal sized pieces that are easy to measure with a ruler marked in 1/8" increments.  I can hear my mother telling me now, "Pride goeth before a fall".  The block is finished, the pieces are going in the right directions and the block is too small.  It will work - I'll make it work by using tiny stitches and a narrow seam allowance.  Apparently the little squares really don't finish at 1" square, even though that's what they measured in the book.  I measured the book drawing across one side of the inner square, and it measures 4 1/4".  Not sure how that happens because the little squares measure an inch.

Guess I should have paper pieced this block after all.  Maybe I should do it again.  The closer I look the worse the piecing looks.  Would you use this one or would you do it again?  I'm always fighting against being a perfectionist, but my gut says do it again.  

Please let me know in a comment - the same one that answers my first question - would you do this over again?

Edited to add:  I remade the block, using paper piecing.  The squares measure 1 1/16" each.  I draw the line when it comes to measurements that small - I'll only piece blocks that measure in 1/8" inch increments.  It is the right size, intersections are accurate and looks much better.  I'm so glad I redid it.  Into the orphan drawer with the first one.

7 comments:

Stephanie said...

I mess blocks up all the time! Usually when I have them all laid out next to the machine, the pieces I am sewing together manage to drag themselves across my work space and twist the pieces without me noticing.I guess that is why the answer to your second question would be that I would not remake it. I am a "good-enough" girl!!
You are making great progress on your February goals! Great job! Keep up the good work!

Teresa said...

Hi - its a pretty block as is, but I have found that if I really don't like the look, its best to do it over, as it will stick out like a sorethumb every time I look at my quilt. This is true even when no one else can see the problem. So I say, do what makes you happy and satisfied with your project.

I can't even begin to count the number of times I have turned blocks the wrong way, especially those pesky little HST and Flying geese blocks.

Caron at Michigan Quilts said...

Yes, I'm sorry to say that I, too, have that problem. I think this will be a very pretty quilt. Whether you re-do it or not is up to you. If you don't think you'll ever enter it in a juried show, let it go! Nobody will notice one block out of many. But if you're thinking of sending it to a major show, yeah, you might look at it closer. I think it looks great. But only you know what you're willing to live with!

Julierose said...

I can be counted as a member of the dyslexic group too. Between the time I remove the pieces from my design wall and put them together ready to push through the machine--I've managed to turn something the WRONG WAY!! I am going to wear out my seam ripper!! Julierose

Ginnyb1313 said...

Yes I'm always turning something in the wrong direction and have to use a seam ripper! Would do it all over again if my gut tells me I should. I won't be happy with it if I didn't.

Pamela Kieffer said...

Beleive it or not I have to buy a new seam ripper quite often. I know at least four ways to take a seam apart. One is with a moustache trimmer. You would think I'd abe more watchful.

Kigwit said...

Me too! You should see me when I try to make a card trick block. My brain freezes up. I was glad to see you made another block-I would have done the same thing.