Hello Everyone,
Just a little business first... Check out the new arrivals at my shop! They arrived on Thursday and Friday. There is new Brandon Mably, Kaffe Fassett, and Philip Jacobs. I know you will love them!!
Thank you for coming back to hear the rest of this story. So here is what has been done so far:
- Karen has phoned and e-mailed, many times, the magazine. Result: Not so helpful.
- She found where the designer is located by Googling her name and locating her through a blog. The designer does not have her own blog or website.
- An e-mail was sent off to the designer, Karen spoke to her last night and boy what help she was and nice to boot!
- So both of us persevered. Karen more than me. The pictures below will begin our awakening.
- The best news though, Karen got it all figured out. She took a picture of her ONE completed star, but her computer crashed. So that picture we will have to share with you at a later date. Sorry!
This first picture shows you my first 1/4 block. What I didn't realize at this point was that this quarter block was just too small. How can that be? I did everything right or at least I thought I did.
This second quarter block looks okay too. However, if you note at the edges I lose the quarter inch that I need for the red diamonds to maintain their points.
Here are the too blocks together. Doesn't look too bad here, points all match up nicely. But pictures are deceiving. Next the Ugly Truth...
One block is definitely larger than the other. Now I know you may be thinking, wow there is a lot of bias in this quilt. Yes, that is right. You also might be thinking that starch would have been a great idea. Did that, many times. So what is the answer?
Here is Karen's block. You can see the one on the right is looking pretty good.
Here is a picture of the block not looking so good. Sorry for the blurriness, this is the only one Karen could send. If you notice at the top of the block, the triangles are not meeting correctly to form that 1/4 inch that we need.
So you are all probably wondering how Karen got it all figured out. I was too. I felt badly that all week I was not able to work on it and Karen kept plugging away. So here is what she did. STARCH from step one! Before the strips were even sewn at all she starched them. Then in every step along the way, she applied starch. Karen was meticulous with her 1/4" seams, but we both always are, but she checked and rechecked.
The result a perfect Sandhill Star!! Yay, Karen!! I am sorry there is no picture to show here, but Karen promised me once her computer is up and running she will forward it to me so I can share it with you. She also wanted me to impress upon you that this is absolutely NO reflection on the designer. The designer confirmed with Karen that the directions in the magazine were definitely not accurate. The designer has offered her support to us throughout our quilt making journey.
I am anxious to start on my block again and this time get it right!! I truly hope that this little mini series has been helpful to you. It has been to Karen and I. Remember, this is how we learn, from our mistakes.
Until Next Time...
45 comments:
I would love to make that quilt, but what trauma. I don't think I would keep going like the energizer bunny. Great job!
Terrific the designer was so helpful. I fear I would have thrown the block out the window by now. I know these will be stunning quilts once your two get them done.
...hidden in the back of my closet found years later....lol!!
Wish is had all worked out looks really, really, cool.
After all the work you are putting into this quilt, I think you both should WEAR them!
I am impressed with all the dedication.
I'm glad the designer was helpful......too bad the magazine wasn't. I'll look forward to Karen's picture once you have it to post.
I am impressed that you both keep going on it. I'm sure I would have lost patience by now and tossed it in the trash. But I have learned from you and from someone else recently how much a can of spray starch should be valued and I am putting it on my list to pick up another as I am almost out of it. I look forward to seeing what you both come up with.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Puh to much stress for me but I realy hope you and your friend get through this without losing your senses..
Good luck, I will be looking forward to follow the quiltmaking!
You are such a brave woman to tackle this... I want to wish you all the good luck.. Iknow I wouldnt cope again.. I have made one lone star before.. and phewww.. it drove me crazy.... ;o)))
Congratulations on sticking it out and making it right! It's nice to know that the designer was helpful, but isn't it frustrating when magazines publish incorrect directions? And of course, corrections are always in teeny print in some future issue...what are the chances of someone then finding the corrections, especially when they need them?
I am so glad you have resolved the problems. It is going to be an amazing quilt when it's done. And I am going to remember about using spray starch every step of the way the next time I make a quilt with lots of bias edges. Can't wait to see it when its done!
y'all have awesome sticktuitness... This block is a bit too advanced for me. I'm still trying to tackle the flying geese block. LOL!
Congrats on conquering the beast!
I am so glad the designer is working with you. I have never used starch since I don't prewash my fabrics but I think I will have to try that trick. It is going to be a fabulous quilt. You two amaze me.
Yet another justification for canceling my subscription to QNM last year.
Thanks for sharing!! What a lot of work!! Good luck!!
Paulette
Good for you and Karen for sticking with it. An Congratulations for the designer for helping Karen out.
So if the directions in the magazine were not accurate, did you get correct ones? I am very intrigued by this design, but a little fearful after seeing all the troubles you both are having. :-/
I admire your perseverance!!! I think I would have thrown up my hands and left it.
I think it will be beautiful though.
I am very impressed with your perseverance (both you and Karen). If it had been me, I would have wadded the whole thing up and thrown it under the bed! I'm sure you will end up with a beautiful quilt with a great story behind it :)
joan
After all this trauma, will your finished quilt be as large as the original in the magazine? I'd be a chicken and make mine smaller, but it sounds like you two are on a roll. Those stars will be appearing quickly now. Bravo!
I have to say, I would have quit a long time ago. When they are done they will be stunning, It was wonderful that the designer was so helpful. (and you found her phone number)!!
I respect the fact that you two are so eager to get this right as I would have given up long ago.
I admire your sticktuitiveness! That's a hard quilt pattern!! Nice colors!
I admire how you perservere. You get an A++ in quilting class for sure!
An A for perseverance! I think I would have given up long ago.
These are going to be special quilts.
What do you do with the mistakes you make? Can they be used for other things?
please answer on your blog so we all can know...
you are a patient patient person to keep plugging away at this quilt. I would have chucked it.
Wow...the story of this quilt is the story of perseverance by you and Karen...I know I would not have stuck around this long! Can't wait to see the final quilt!
good on you both for not giving up, shame about the magazine not being helpful, well done on tracking down the designer, and so happy she was able to help you. so now it is all full speed ahead?
Good for you girls for sticking with it..and Karen for taking all that time to work it out...So glad the designer was helpful.
It's going to be beautiful when finished..
Julia ♥
It's looking great! You have a lot more willpower and patience than I do, that's for sure. I can't wait to see the progress.
Unfortuantely, I make alot of mistakes
I am impressed that you are sticking to it. I can't wait to see what the block looks like now that you know the secret.
Boy, what a LOT of work! Your fabrics are beautiful though -- and it's going to be spectacular. I sure admire your perseverance!
Way to stick with a project!!
It seems to be a great adventure....good luck Jackie and Karen! :)
Thank you for visiting my blog...
Grazia
Looks complicated...but the colour choices in the first one are brill. Starch is an amazing product...and I must remember to use it more often..I think it really does make a difference especially when working with bias edges.
You both are admirable -- sticking to it with a project like that! I'm glad the designer is being so helpful, although the magazine people should be ashamed of themselves!
They are going to be stunning quilts -- well worth the effort.
hi Jackie ,thanks for visiting my site , I,m glad you liked the pink version of the christmas quilt
whenever I have done the quilt with the diamonds the pattern has illustrated doing each block as a diamond shape .entirely different to how you are doing yours----------------cottonreel
I'm glad you are sticking with it. It's going to be stunning when it is done. Happy that you were able to get some help from the designer.
When I make bias strips I now starch the fabric before I cut the strips. It's a good idea for binding fabric too. Don't know where I read that, but it makes sense. Lone Star blocks are precious and worth the time and effort. Remember, you'll have this for a lifetime! Keep at it and keep us posted.
Oh my gosh Jackie. What a crazy experience. Love yours and the fabrics sooo much. I liked making my star quilt for my daughter last year but I am so not ready to make another. But you make me want to! However, after this - eek. I'm too faint of heart.
Jackie, I admire your patience... It's amazing that you and Karen are working so hard on this project in spite of the setbacks. I'm sure the results will be very fruitful :)
Your star is so gorgeous, but the process is making me feel ill! I guess this is why these types of quilts fetch the big bucks!
Oh dear! Hope you sort out the problem soon. What you've done looks SO pretty.
Karen's perseverance really paid off, what a beautiful star. I love the fabrics. Can't wait to see the finished top. I'm in awe.
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