I don't use EQ7 very often so I was pleased with the way this one turned out when I drew it. I checked my size and thought, ah, 6" finished block. I can use my new Go cutter to cut 2 1/2" squares. I cut all the squares for the 9 patch. I made the first one up. I pinned it on the design board with the stars and realized OOPS! It was not the right size. So, I started again. Measured the small squares and thought... ok, 1 1/2" cut squares. Let's go! I cut out all I needed for the 4 blocks, made most of the blocks . Um, er, the finished blocks were too small. (Sounds suspiciously like Goldilocks and some bears, if you ask me.) I really looked at the 2 blocks. It finally dawned on me what the problem is. Can you figure it out?
Cue the music, I'm hoping for some California Dreaming from the Mamas and the Papas.
Ok, we're back. Do you know the problem? The stars are 4 patches. But the 9 patches, are, well, 9 patches. (Hum, that sounds odd. Why is an eight unit block is a 4 patch and a 9 unit block is considered a 9 patch, not a 3 patch?) Basically there are 4 blocks of 1" each across the star blocks. But the 9 patch would have 3 blocks of 1.33" if I wanted to keep the 9 patch. This would have been fine if the blocks were 6" finished, but it's is a royal pain if it is 4" finished. Why can't I be brilliant before I started cutting and sewing?
Can you hear it? That giant rrrrriiippppp? That was me separating the 9 patches to resew as 4 patches. Here's the revised pattern.
This one works fine as there are 4 - 1" (finished) patches in this block. I'm making the green and beige block as 4 - 4 patches sewn together. I can use the 1.5" squares and it will go together easily. Needless to say, I quit after that little debacle.
Do you have these problems where you think you're are being very careful and you've figured the block out only to find your brilliance wasn't so bright? Tomorrow's another day and hopefully I'll do a lot better. Sigh.
I'm linking up with Can I Get a Whoop, Whoop? and Whomp! There It Is. Check out these linky parties and you can see what folks are working on these days.
Happy Quilting All! 
All. The. Time. You are so not alone! This week I was making a Goose in the Pond block. I needed 5 background squares and only cut one. I put that fabric away so well, that I spent half an hour looking for it and finally gave up and used something else. It will turn up for sure now.
ReplyDeleteAs a matter of fact I had a similar problem this week, and as a result had to cut more fabric than I intended. Aargh!
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain and recognise it too! However your new plan looks great - happy sewing tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteEQ is not my friend. I know I need to work with it more, but I'd rather just play it out on the design wall. Congratulations on your perseverance! It really is pretty when it's all said and done!
ReplyDeleteSomedays you eat the bear and somedays the bear eats you! I feel your pain. The worst thing I ever did was twist a dress when sewing the side seams. It was something like I had sewn the left to the right side instead of left to left and right to right. I carefully ripped out the stitches since it was some kind of satin type of fabric. It was a pain to rip out the stitches. When I sewed the side seams the second time I still had it twisted. I did exactly the same thing I did the first time. I quit for the day because I figured I could do it wrong for a third time at the rate I was going!
ReplyDeleteI have one quilt I designed that the blocks don't line up correctly. I've already got half the blocks made. I've decided to finish it in hopes that from a distance it won't be that noticeable. Your reworked plan looks good. Hope tomorrow is a better stitching day.
ReplyDeleteI've done the same thing before, and your solution is genuis. I hope it's full steam ahead for the rest of this quilt.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great solution! You are very brave to admit that the first effort needed complete revision, but I'm so glad that you won out in the end!
ReplyDeleteI can definitely sympathize! What a great solution! I like how there are secondary 4-patches between the star blocks. (Your blog header is beautiful!)
ReplyDeleteI've discovered that a lot of quilters do not understand quilt classification; thus, the common use of purchased patterns these days. I always enjoy your comments on my posts, because I know you remember the old days (1980s???) of quilting. Good that you recognized your problem!! Sally
ReplyDeleteThis post really has my head spinning but I really do like both versions. ;) Thanks for linking up.
ReplyDelete