Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Sister's Choice - Gretchen's Headache

Last week I told you about starting a Sisters Choice quilt since I already had the 9-patch blocks completed, and how I decided to cut the mutant flying geese differently than Bonnie Hunter said. I thought I would be saving some time by not messing with flippy corners and the extra HST's.

And remember, I didn't cut the rectangles the right length so I was needing to trim the 9-patches. I planned to trim the 9-patches after the mutants were sewn; which I am still waiting to do.

As I was sewing the star point rectangles or mutant flying geese (I don't really care what they're called) I realized that some of the rectangle length were cut slightly shorter than the other rectangles. UGH! 


I finished sewing the HST's to the rectangles, pressed them, then started trimming them all to the same size. The width needed to be downsized to 2" (1-1/2" finished) and the length 5-1/2" (5" finished). I trimmed maybe 20 then decided I didn't want to spend time doing this right now. I want to sew! I did trim 1 9-patch block to the correct size and sewed the mutants onto her.

Then I wrote up notes, so I could know what I had been doing; then gently, neatly and carefully placed all the blocks and pieces into a ziplock bag and put the bag into a tub. Sister's Choice - Gretchen's Headache is now an official  UFQ (unfinished quilt). I'll work on this project next winter when I have more time and patience.


I pulled out my embroidered snowman, trimmed him up and added a border.

Yes, this is actually what I needed, a finish! He may be only   13 1/2" by 15" but it is a flimsy and I have a sense of accomplishment.

These strips are 3" wide but that is more width than I will need. I'll trim after he is quilted. Mitering a printed stripe fabric is more challenging than a woven stripe. That is why the bottom left corner looks goofy.

I'll get him marked, then he'll be all ready for quilting.

Linking to - Esther's Wednesday WOW!, Sew Fresh Quilts, Jo's Junction, Quilting is More Fun Than HouseworkMy Quilt Infatuation, Crazy Mom Quilts, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, A Quilting Reader's Garden, Show Off Saturday

13 comments:

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Ugh, sorry to hear about the headache ; the snowman project is a cute finish!

Gretchen Weaver said...

I'll get back to this quilt in the winter, I'm not going to let some fabric beat me! In the summer, I just don't have the kind of time that this quilt is needing. I think she'll be nice when completed. The snowman sure gave me a sense of accomplishment.

Kate said...

The snowman is really cute. Your stripes look like candy canes, it's a great border option.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I started to make the sister's choice once, I just made one block and then took it apart and never got back to it! It is a cute block I do not know why I never got back to it.

Karen said...

The stripe fabric is perfect for the snowman block.

TheEclecticAbuela said...

Sometimes, putting it aside for a bit is the best choice. :)

maggie fellow said...

I have put many of mine on time out. But I will eventually get back to them. Life is too short to stress over what you are doing. cute snowman

Kalicocreations said...

Now I understand your comment about flippy corners. Maybe the best option would be to make half square triangles out of the pieces that are too small (ask me how I know that :)) and start over with the Sister's Choice block. I think the one you have finished is lovely, and your snowman is really cute!

Gretchen Weaver said...

I don't know what I would do with the mutant flying geese and I like the look of the center block, it's different. I'll pull this project back out this winter and be enthused about it again.

Chris of UK City Crafter said...

Sometimes walking away from a project is the right thing to do. Your snowman looks great - love that stripey border.

ukcitycrafter@live.co.uk

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Well Gretchen, such a good post! It warms my heart to see that another quilter has experienced what happens to me. Cudo's to you in stopping now and putting it away!

I still love your Snowman.... I have a difficult time in working with strips and zig zags - gives me a migraine headache! Have a great day and it does make us feel great to finish something - not mater the size!

Carie @ Space for the Butterflies said...

Aww your snowman is so cute - it's going to be Christmas before we know it isn't it!

Turid said...

A really cute snowman finish, and a good idea for an embroidery.