This weekend ended up being all about detours–quilting and otherwise. Let me explain. The first detour was a planned detour. I’ve been saving all of the cut corners from the flying geese blocks of my Swoon quilt. I’ve been stitching them together, and they trim perfectly to make 2 ½″ half-square triangles. I have a plan for them already, and while it has been a detour to finishing my quilt more quickly, it will be great to have them all ready to go for another project. Saturday, I had the goal to finish two blocks and then to cut out the remaining two blocks.
My planned detour was going along perfectly until it suddenly seemed that I was trimming a lot more from my hst’s to make them a perfect 2 ½″. After trimming about 8 larger-than-normal half-square triangles I realized I was actually trimming half-square triangles needed for Swoon into pieces for project #2. I was devastated. Swoon doesn’t leave a lot of scraps, and I had no idea how I was going to finish the block I’d just cut into smaller pieces.
Here’s one of my Saturday blocks ready to be sewn together…
And here’s the other block ready to sew. This is the block with the above-mentioned problem. Do you notice anything different?
I decided to improvise for 3 of the 4 corner sections. I had some left over blue fabric from one of my other Swoon blocks that I used to make the additional blue triangle sections–they’re not the same print–but are from the same color family. But then there was the problem of coming up with some more of the dot fabric.
That’s when I remembered about my Flea Market Fancy stash…look at the similarities. The Denyse Schmidt Joan’s fabric is on the left, and her Flea Market Fancy piece is on the right. I figured I could substitute the FMF, and it wouldn’t really show up once the quilt was finished.
So here is the block again…from a distance I don’t even think many people will pick up on my “substitutions.” And I was able to keep on schedule. Well…until the household detour we had here at home Saturday. I don’t want to bore you gross you out with the details, but I’ll just give you two words….”septic tank.” Needless to say, I didn’t get the other two blocks cut out. Everything is running smoothly (pun intended) here now, though, and I hope to finish Swoon on Monday! Thanks so much for stopping by!
P. S. Winners for the Shabby Fabrics gift-certificate giveaway can be found here.
Regina says
If you did not point it out – I would not have noticed… good save – glad you were not further into the #2 cutting before you figured it out.
Karen says
I wish I could say that's never happened to me, but at least you found out and were able to salvage it. it looks wonderful.
Mary on Lake Pulaski says
You are all about making it perfect or making it work Sherri! The block looks great. Can't wait to see Swoon all together.
Gerri says
Like so many quilters, if you wouldn't have pointed it out, no one would have noticed. The blocks are pretty.
suemac says
You did a great job of making substitutions. It will make the quilt more special to you because it has its quirks.
Kelli says
I noticed the blue, but didn't notice the dots until you pointed it out. 🙂 I think the substitutions give the block more character. 🙂 Great improvising.
Anonymous says
I agree that your substitutions look just fine, however I would be happy to send you some of those fabrics that you need to finish that block. Let me know if you are interested.
valekort at yahoo dot com
Carrie says
I think the substitutions are terrific. I like them and I particularly like the story behind them. They aren't particularly noticeable but even if they were, I don't think it would matter because they look great.
Years from now, one of your great-great-great-grandchildren will wonder if Grandma Sherri did that on purpose. 🙂
Sandie ~call me crazy says
Great save! And just like G'ma used to do. 🙂 Your quilt is going to be gorgeous.
Congrat's to the winners!
Have a happy week!
Anne Heidi says
What a great save- I didn't notice until you showed the close-up. Your blocks are really pretty- it will be fun to see the quilt top all put together 🙂
Carol says
Sherri it looks great…you did a great job of making do…and wouldn't it be fun to see and hear people looking at this quilt in a 100 years…"I wonder what Sherri was thinking" "I wonder why she did this" just like we all do when we see an antique quilt. I love it, a very happy detour. And your house detour…that's our worst nightmare…so far so good, but I really shouldn't say anything…LOL!
Jackie says
Great save! So glad you found a way to work it out because it would have been just devastating.
I hope the other detour is fixed soon without little trouble.
No more detours for you! 🙂
Lisa In Oregon says
Your alternative fabrics worked out perfectly! 🙂
Terriaw says
I love how you fixed the cutting snafu! Looks perfect in the new block. Good for you for figuring out how to make the best of your unplanned detour.
Thimbleanna says
You're so funny — sounds like you had a crappy day (haha – groan).
Your substitutions are wonderful — it would take close inspection to even notice. I'm amazed that you even had something close to those dots — Very Impressive!!!
Lisa D. says
I think your substitutions fit right in. Seriously – I studied the block but had to read your explanation before I figured it out. I love your Swoon blocks!
Darlene says
A small detour that led to the road of perfection – I love your 'fix'. When people look at the quilt it'll be a happy surprise. 🙂
I'm glad things are running smoothing now – ugh!
Mary says
That was a great save! I didn't even notice when I first looked. Even after seeing the close-up, I had to really look hard. I hope I can solve all my 'detours' as well as you did this one. It looks really nice. I've loved this pattern since the first time I saw it and can't wait to see yours finished.
PamKittyMorning says
I love those kinds of substitutions. They make a block so interesting!
bummer though about the septic tank. 🙁
Laura K says
I did the something similar once on a log cabin quilt. I went to trim one of my additions (I was doing it the QIAD way) and somehow cut it too short. I didn't have much extra fabric so now my finished quilt has the slightest part of the white selvedge edge showing in my blue section of my block. Much much more noticeable than your substitutions!
Jenny says
great improvising!!
i hear the new DS fabric is starting to trickle into JAF!!
Marydon says
Sherri, your creations are gorgeous. Wish I were talented as are you.
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Pat says
If you wouldn't have pointed out the substitution I would have never noticed it. It turned out to be a great block anyway. I hate when I cut into something that I shouldn't have cut into. I sure understand the septic problems. I had a major backup through the basement drain last winter because of a broken tile which caused a block up. Nothing worse that septic problems.
julieQ says
The colors in your 1/2 square triangles are just so pretty!! Love your blocks so much!
michelle b. says
I wouldn't even call it a substitution….it looks like it belongs there! Quilting is about the color and the love of the craft. And thank you for sharing about your hts. I cannot make a flying geese block without saving those pesky little corners…sigh…so many projects and so few hours.
AnnieO says
Omigosh, don't you just HATE operator error? You pinch hit it out of the park tho! Excellent work fixing what could have been a frustrating dead end to this detour!
Material Mary says
Love the make-do substitutions. Now you have a truly authentic quilt–substitutions have always been part of quilting and they totally add to the charm…
Mary
Annette says
I am so in love with these blocks! I think your improvising is so charming and will give your quilt a fun bit of character.
Cardygirl says
Looks great…I am loving your progress!