I Need Encouragement.

How about some sorta technical hogwash? Batiks are not likely to stretch. Anything black is possibly re-dyed something that didn't sell and unreliable. ( Those are just dirty rumors; just popped in my head.) So. I suspect that one or the other is giving you a pain. However, there is real help from me. I am World's Foremost Expert at making chenille fat adorable bumble bees. Anyplace that's not lining up, we'll put a bee on it. Email me off-group and I'll make YOU the expert. We can even put wings and crazy eyes on them if you want to be disgustingly cute. If you're not feeling 'cute', it's still fun to buzz over with one or three. Polly

That's going to be gorgeous! And we all know that quilting makes the quilt. It's tough to work under a deadline, especially when something that looks really simple turns out not to be. (I'm wondering if the pattern instructions were maybe not the most simple method of putting this together?) Anyhow, get on your galloping horse and see if you can spot any bloopers as you race by!

The Better Homes and Gardens 501 Quilt Blocks had >Apparently I can't piece fabric anymore. I am so frustrated. DH asked

Your quilt will be beautiful and everyone will love it. It is hard getting back in the groove even with something you love doing and are good at. And creating art under time pressure is doubly difficult, so give yourself breathing space and do your best but don't stress over it. We are always most critical of our own children. No one but you will see errors.

Diana

Jan Mullen's Beez'n'Hivez ?

Good luck with finishing the one you are on - it will come right, and as we all know "finished is better than perfect!" You will see the misalignments, everyone else will see a gorgeous quilt.

Lizzy

It's going to be a beautiful quilt, Sherry. You know you can conquer this little setback. Start by stepping back and starting at square 1 (so to speak). Are the cutting instructions correct? You can figure out what size each square and piece of black sashing should be in order to match up to the large square (for instance, if the large square is 9" finished, the little squares could be cut at 3" and the sashing at

1.25"). Double-check your cut pieces - are they the size they're supposed to be based on your calculations?

If all the sizes appear to be okay, make sure the sewing machine is set up to stitch a 1/4 inch seam. Make sure you didn't hit a button that moved the needle to one side or the other of something like that.

You can do it! And please show us pictures when it's d> Apparently I can't piece fabric anymore. I am so frustrated. DH asked

On Mon, 24 Jan 2011 22:59:17 -0600, Sherry wrote (in article ):

Honestly, this always happens to me when I'm in a hurry. Maybe you just need to slow down for a day and see what happens. Pretend there is no deadline and just take it easy. Get as far as you get.

And double check your measurements before you cut.

Maureen

Louise has a good idea about double checking the seam allowance. Only a few weeks ago I finally realized that I have to move my needle to the right to get a proper quarter inch with my quarter inch foot. Beforehand, with the default setting, the seams were too wide and my pieces wouldn't always match up. Now I have a sticky note on my machine to remind me to change the needle. For some patterns the seam width isn't critical but for some, like yours, it makes a big difference.

Good luck! It's going to be gorgeous!! Allison

>

Thanks *everyone* for the input. So get on your galloping horses, put on your sunglasses, and take a look.

I think deadline pressure is the problem. I'm sure I can come up with something much better for next year's auction. Hoping the quilting will add a lot to this. And, Polly, I'd *love* to learn to make chenille bees. I can imagine all sorts of ways to use them.

Thanks again Sherry

Are you kidding me??? It looks absolutely gorgeous and I couldn't find one tiny problem- and neither will anyone else. You did GREAT! And I LOVE the colors and you have them distributed very well. GOOD job! Woohoo!

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Thanks *everyone* for the input. So get on your galloping horses, put on your sunglasses, and take a look.

I think deadline pressure is the problem. I'm sure I can come up with something much better for next year's auction. Hoping the quilting will add a lot to this. And, Polly, I'd *love* to learn to make chenille bees. I can imagine all sorts of ways to use them.

Thanks again Sherry

All I can say is, WOW, what a beautiful quilt -- such striking colors :-)

Bev >

That is absolutely gorgeous, Sherry!

Leigh Harris Perth, Western Australia

"Sherry" wrote Thanks *everyone* for the input. So get on your galloping horses, put on your sunglasses, and take a look.

I think deadline pressure is the problem. I'm sure I can come up with something much better for next year's auction. Hoping the quilting will add a lot to this. And, Polly, I'd *love* to learn to make chenille bees. I can imagine all sorts of ways to use them.

Thanks again Sherry

On Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:53:38 -0600, Sherry wrote (in article ):

It looks beautiful! And I love the QI as well.

Maureen

That is just Knock your Socks Off killer dazzling! Atta girl, Sherry. Wow. And while I'm here, let me add a caution to just not 'do' anything with a stressful deadline until you're stronger. Your little body has been through a tough go and you still need to be as kind to yourself as possible. NO horses. Bees later. Polly

it's absolutely beautiful! All the colors are perfect and it was hard for me to stop looking from one side of the quilt to the other....I just wanted to soak it all in! Super job!

Donna in WA

Howdy!

See? We knew you could do it. ;-)

Beautiful, and all the other good stuff everyone says about it.

R/Sandy