Saturday, September 17, 2011

F is for frustration

When I spotted this early in the morning, the day seemed full of promising possibilities.
Actual flying geese. Cool! I'm planning on sewing blocks with flying geese. This must be a good sign.

I spent some time working on my photography class assignment, learning about aperture.

And then it was time to get cracking on making my bee blocks, one block design, five different color combinations.

I found a pattern I really liked in a quilt magazine recently. So I printed out the pattern. My first thought--why doesn't it give the dimensions of the block? After looking at the measurements of the individual pieces, it looked like the proper size, 12 1/2 inches unfinished. I started cutting.

I started sewing. Hmmm. This does not look right. Obviously when I sew on the next triangle I'm going to cut off the point of the first triangle. I check the cutting measurements again.

Ah. I see the problem. The instructions call for each strips to be cut at 4 5/8, 6 5/8, 8 5/8 and 10 5/8 inches. They actually need to be cut 4 7/8 , 6 7/8, etc. Ugh. Too short. Time to recut all the strips. (Note to self: Email the magazine and notify them of the error of their ways...)

Okay. This time they fit. Hang on a second...Ugh. I have turned the very first units the wrong way. The first green triangle should be flying in the opposite direction. And I have sewn the yellow strips on the wrong sides of the block. Okay. I get it. This has now become a practice block.
Finally. I like it. Other than the first goose being a renegade and flying in the opposite direction.

I have either gotten all the "goofs" out of my system and things will fly more smoothly from now on. Or...this is going to be a very long day.

15 comments:

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Mrs Flying Blind... said... #

Ahhh! Knickers to printed errors - I hate that! You got there in the end!

Barb said... #

I love your finished block! I hate it when the magazine is wrong; has happened to me too! Beautiful balloon and geese pictures. I need to take a photography class--what kind are you taking?

CitricSugar said... #

It's very pretty. I hope it goes smoothly for you. And I hope you didn't cut EVERYTHING ahead of time. That's how I do it so I'd've been very upset with the magazine... Like, invoice-them-for-fabric upset.

Susan said... #

Hey, at least you didn't make a whole quilt wrong like my "Dog's Breakfast" was- thanks to incorrect magazine instructions too! Yours will be great!

stitchinpenny said... #

You made a beautiful block. Sometimes the mistakes are hard in the moment, but when things end up that great you can forget the hard times.

Letterpress said... #

This is just how I felt when I was working on my last quilt. I'm pretty sure there was an error in the directions somewhere, but danged if I can find it. Glad you found yours!

I like this block. Impressive!

More impressive is your ability to get some quilting done on a Saturday.

Elizabeth E.

Rebecca Lynne said... #

My day in the studio yesterday was Exactly like this. And with two little ones I only have bits of time during naps to work so I end up looking at the clock, getting more frustrated, leading to more mistakes, and more indecision... Well you get the point. I hope you were able to get something accomplished?!

Cindy said... #

I'm having the same frustration with a pattern I'm using today. Thankfully its in reverse - all of their measurements are too long! So, when I make a block that should be a square, there's a little edge on every strip hanging out there in the breeze. At least I can still use it, but I'm spending a WHOLE lot of time squaring my blocks. Stinks.

Jill Chapman said... #

It's a gorgeous block, even with the goofs.

Michelle said... #

I love the block!! It turned out beautiful, even with all of your frustrations :) As I was reading your post, I couldn't help saying to myself, "recalculating"...you gotta love having an internal Garmin...haha!!

Archie The Wonder Dog said... #

I love the block - the renegade goose is obviously going back to check she didn't leave the iron/hair straighteners on! I find patterns so frustrating - so many have mistakes that the rare time I use one I end up doing all the maths myself to double check their measurements...grrr! Hope your day gets better!

Terriaw said... #

That actually does look like a complicated blog, so I commend you for keeping on to figure it out. Very cool block after all that!

Love your rose photo. I've always wanted to learn about aperture so maybe you can teach me after our class ends and you come visit!

pinsandneedles said... #

I love this block...haven't seen it before. I hate when there is errors in printed instructions. Argh! Don't they know how expensive it is to cut into precious fabrics only to discover their error? Hope the rest go more smoothly.

Amanda Jean said... #

it's a beautiful block in the end! even with the flipped started block. it's charming. the colors are LOVELY! sorry you had a frustrating sewing day. those simply should not happen if you ask me!

Mama Pea said... #

I have days like that, too! And it's just not fair when the instructions are printed wrong! Grrr. Your finished block and color scheme is great. Again, I admire our perseverance!