Tuesday, February 14, 2012

I Have to WORK at This!

I have mentioned before that sewing and quilting isn't intuitive for me. I *really* have to work at it. Proof is in the photo below. I'm sewing my rows together and think "I need to make sure those points match up when I sew the rows together. That's honestly all I thought about and I was quite pleased at how well they lined up. The points from the flower, while they don't match up ARE supposed to align. Too bad I didn't notice until I sewed several rows together. They were all out of alignment.
DSC_0032
Sooo....here's where it ended up!
It seems like many quilters have that natural 1/4" seam and blocks just line up for them like they should. I'm not that girl!
DSC_0033
I have an addition to my sewing room to show you. I finally framed the print that I purchased from Heather Ross from one of her online studio sales. She autographed it for me which I wasn't expecting. You can see the reflection of a valentine mini quilt in the glass of the print.
DSC_0035
We've had a lot of sunny days this winter and I've been able to get a couple of pics of the pups to show you. Kenzie is hard to photograph because she generally shows up as a dark blob. She's tiny - about 10 pounds. She looks like she needed a good brushing too.
DSC_0051
And poor Cody, he's afraid of the red light on the camera so getting a good picture of him is rare. He loves the sun though!
DSC_0043
For those of you who watch Downton Abbey - Did Lord Grantham do what I think he did?

Hope your stitches this week are happy ones!

30 comments:

Lori said...

I have tons of trouble with points matching up but unless it's really really bad, I've gotten to the point where "it gives the quilt character". LOL yes, i hate unsewing that much that I'm willing to live with the imperfection rather than rip out the seams. LOL

Katrina said...

I think your quilt blocks are gorgeous and your puppies are just too sweet :-). Gorgeous artwork too!!!!

FlourishingPalms said...

You know the word: perseverance. That's what it takes to become a perfect piecer. I'm not there yet either. What a pretty piece of artwork, and how great that it's autographed for you. As for Lord Grantham... I can't believe he behaved that way while Lady Grantham was in the throes of sickness with Spanish influenza! These men! And didn't poor Matthew look a wreck after Lavinia died? My heart and emotions were leaping all over the place Sunday evening. You too, I bet.

Margaret said...

I'm a failure at getting those precise 1/4" seams and such as well. I used to be good at it once upon a time, but no more. lol! The quilt is so pretty. I hope you stick with it and finish it. Your fur babies are soooo cute! Nice to see pics of them! and Lord Grantham -- well, I have to admit I thought he didn't do what you think he did, but who knows. lol!

*karendianne. said...

What a fantastic post. I love how you shared the burden of this quilt. We've all been there and we'll go there again in one way or another with a different pattern. There is ALWAYS some damn pattern that is going to whack us out. You're better than you think you are my friend!

OMG the dogs are too cute and as for Lord Grantham - damn dude!

Deb said...

Believe me, getting things to line up will befuddle even the most seasoned quilter. Sometimes when you have a lot of points to align in a row - well, you just miss something - like the points on your blocks. Yes, they should be aligned. But like you, I've been down that row a couple times before and I'm sure that I will again. Don't give up hope - your quilt is beautiful and just remember - we all do it!!!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Your pups are adorable. We've all had our troubles with the 1/4" seam, lopping off the points and getting blocks to align correctly.
Don't give up! The blocks are very pretty.
As far as Lord Grantham... he misbehaved with the maid... but I don't think he did what you may be thinking he did.

Theresa said...

I always have trouble lining up the blocks, it seems like the more thought I put into it, the worse it comes out....

Love your new artwork~ It is gorgeous!!!! And your pup photos, too~~ They are adorable~~~

Amanda said...

I'm not that girl either!

Littlebit said...

Jackie..been there, done that..with the quilt squares, NOT lord Grantham..humph..I thought he was above that!! I was furious. Love your little doggies.

Simone de Klerk said...

I think it looks like others have that natural 1/4" thing, but they probably talk about their missteps LOL.
Love the print and such sweet pets.

Annie said...

I'm glad someone else besides me has trouble getting that kind of thing perfect. I guess it takes tons of practice. But it looks pretty anyway.

Gorgeous print and such a cool photo with the heart quilt in the reflection.

And that's just the sweetest doggie ever!

Nicola said...

I have done the same before now. Deep breath and count to .......

You doggies are so cute.

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

Oh I love your dogs !!!
bisous xxx de France

Isabelle said...

Hi Jackie, I really think your blocks are well done with so vibrant colors. hum! I have to tell you your small pets are just sweet :-)
Have a nice day,
Isa

Katherine said...

Jax - now don't you give up on that quilt - it's way too pretty. The dogs are so cute! And YES, Lord Grantham DID do that! I couldn't believe it! I was so shocked. I was yelling at the T.V. for someone to come walking in on them to bring them to their senses! A couple of my followers in GB say they've seen the whole thing now and that things are going to get quite interesting!!! I also read the other day that next year, Shirley MacLaine is cast as Lady Grantham's American mother. THAT should be titillating!

Carla said...

Don't worry so much about the points. sometimes they line up other times they don't. Pressing has a lot to do with it as does the 1/4". Have fun with it : )

Annette-California said...

Hi Jackie! Your quilt looks beautiful to me. I know its hard to match points exactly. Just don't stop. Keep going and finish it. You put alot of time into it. The fabrics are pretty and the colors look great together. It will still be cherished because you made it. And I've been told practice makes it easier. Thank you for sharing.
Annette - California

Mrs.Pickles said...

It looks like a lot of us have the same problem...so i think that makes us the normal ones and the ones who do have their stuff all line up the strange ones..lol

Daffycat said...

Whoops, stupid alignment...I'd blame the sewing machine but practise more.

Men! You just wanna smack 'em! At least he stopped before things got way out of hand and the girl (forget her name now) was smart enough to leave the house.

ruthsplace said...

I have to work at 1/4 inch seams too.
I love the fabrics you've used in this quilt.
To be honest I had to look twice to see what you were talking about with the alignment.

Heidi said...

Don't give up because the 1/4" will start to come more naturally as you make more quilts. I am so sorry that you have to take out the rows. I hate it when I make a mistake and often end up throwing a project to the side because of it so I know how it feels. In fact, my latest project left me reeling at myself for a very stupid mistake which has brought me to a decision to finish it as is instead of going farther. More about it soon on my blog but you see, it is a normal thing.

Love your autographed print!

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

Sally said...

I don't even quilt but if I did I know I wouldn't get it right. Sewing does not come naturally to me at all!

Love the print:)

Your dogs are so cute!

Kats Studio said...

Hey Jackie,
I don't know one single quilter that can actually say their work is perfect. We all strive to do the best we can and if you enjoy what you are doing don't let alignment stress you out. Once it's quilted and used it won't be noticed, unless you point it out. Let go and enjoy your work, it looks fantastic.

Lois said...

Jackie, sorry for the frustration. That's the very reason I shy away from quilting, very often I can't even manage a 1/4" seam when I'm trying to put a stitched ornament together! Love your print and your dogs are so sweet!

woolwoman said...

your pups look so nice out in the grass. Gosh would anyone know those points don't line up perfectly - except you of course? well you know what they say - if it bothers you then you should correct it -AAACKKKK I was appalled with how Downton Abbey was going last episode. He crossed the line with Jane the maid for sure but I'm not sure it was the big finish you think it was. We'll all be tuned in Sunday night for sure - even JD has become involved LOL - enjoy your weekend - Mel

Brigitte said...

I haven't made a big quilt yet, but in all my smaller projects there are some flaws like the one you describe. So far I haven't been willing to rip off seams but maybe this moment will come when I sew my first big quilt.

Melanie said...

Awwwwwwwwww, look at the cutie pie doggies!!!!!!!! They are so adorable!!

Siobhán said...

Your pups are adorable!! I love the Heather Ross print, too.

Have you thought about pinning at the seams? My daughter is learning to quilt and I think I'm going to have her do that. I say that while looking at a log cabin quilt I did where the points are so far apart that I could drive a bus through them. LOL

Chris said...

I too am learning to quilt properly, I say properly as I have made three small throws and matching the points were hit and miss... but now I go to a Workshop and the very first week she showed me how to use my 1/4 inch foot!! I had been doing it wrongly. I am thoroughly enjoying the classes and might be showing my efforts some time this year!! LOL
It is slow going..
Love your blog and I thought your efforts looked good, I like your colour choice. Read back and saw your FMQ and thought it looked fantastic, that heart design was lovely.
Chris