I know somebody is going to tell me to spray starch it until it is stiff. I already know that is a possible way to tame it, just not one that I ever use.
When I trimmed the first triangles, the points of the black print weren't in the centers of the sides so it is already not nice. I know with this round that I am going to measure out from the centers to be sure that doesn't happen again.Referring to yesterday when I said maybe I would make a red one like this..............I don't think so!!!
I think I'll give this piece a couple days to relax on the table and then I'll decide how to trim it.
28 comments:
Aw, what a bummer. Sometimes the best thing to do is to stick it in a closet for a year and come back to it! Seriously, walk away for a few days and work on something else. When you come back to it, you'll see it with fresh eyes, and you'll figure out how to salvage it. At least that's been my experience!
Don't you just hate that after all the work you put into the quilt, that is becomes unruly? I hope that it doesn't discourage you too much from finishing it.
Sorry about those edges. Wish I had some simple solution for you. Sigh... The colors are so beautiful together.
How frustrating! Good call on setting it aside for a few days. I'm sure you will make it work in the end. I don't like spray starch either, but how about Magic Sizing? I had used that when I used a light fossil fern for very large setting triangles and it worked really well to keep that flimsy fabric firm enough to sew without totally distorting the quilt.
It's those darn bias cuts on the ends. If you put that piece on the bottom when you go to sew the next piece your feed dogs will ease it in. However, sometimes there's just too much stretch on those edges and there's no amount of starch that's going to fix it. I think a break would be good, but I wouldn't give up totally.
When I have problems like this I lay it out flat and spray water from a water bottle to wet the wavy parts. Then let it dry normally. This will help shrink back the stretched edges. You can do it more than once if needed. If you can lay it in the sun, it works even better, the heat...This doesn't always take care of all of the problem, but helps minimize it. It won't make it worse to try it.
I'm curious ... did you piece the strips on foundation fabric like muslin? I looked back through your blog but didn't see that notation. Muslin or any thin fabric used as foundation would have controlled the edges. Sorry
It's really pretty and I like it.
I'm sorry you're so disappointed and disgusted with this piece. I know you were so enthusiastic going into it.
I think you should just let it be and work on something else for a few days or so. Sometimes looking at something so constantly is not good. Coming back to it later with fresh eyes may be the thing or maybe it is best to put it away and say to heck with it. If you aren't happy with it, maybe it's best not to put any more time into it.
More H blocks? Something wildly colorful, maybe? I don't know if it's the camera or the photos but this always seemed awfully muted compared to your usually very colorful stuff.
I feel bad for you, BUT...it's so encouraging to me that someone as talented as you are has quilting problems occasionally! I don't mean it to sound like I'm delighting in your distress, so please don't take it like that! It just gives me hope...
Bias stinks! On the other hand, sometimes these are lessons on how perfect can I be? Put the top away until you can look at it without screaming, then finish it, with all those "flaws" that only you or some quilt judge with a bad attitude and hemroids can see. Then give it away to someone who will look at it with love and be in awe that you cared for them so much as to give them a beautiful work of art. Your frustration and sadness can be turned into a chance to make someone's day.
Since it is string pieced...I wonder if it would be possible to take in the seams of some areas just a little bit? Can't tell from the pictures, but if it isn't toooo much it might help alot.
I have a couple thoughts on this. First, are your seam allowances accurate at the outside edge of those strips in the triangles? I find that sometimes mine are off a bit when I start or end a seam. (And that would make your edge the wrong size to start with.) My other thought is, maybe you could draw the trim lines you would use onto your block and sew your stablizing strips onto the wavy edge before you trim it. I'm not sure if I explained that clearly. I do feel your frustration. I hate when I put so much effort into a project just to have it go wrong. Good luck.
I do think a little break from it will give you new perspective Wanda. And I believe you can make anything work. Love the look.
Don't be TOO discouraged. Its truly beautiful. I know you added the green frame as a concession, but I really like the framing fabric. I think it breaks it up a bit so the eye can take in all the shapes and colors.
Set it aside for 24 hours. Get out and see a funny movie. You'll feel better about it tomorrow. :)
I really hate bias edges. It is such a gorgeous project.
It's a great project and I'm sure if anyone can make it work, you can. Move on to something you know you'll totally enjoy working on to lift your frustrated spirits.
I'm sorry to see you're having to deal with this, but I'm relieved to know that it can happen to anyone. Even an expert like you. My Capriccio quilt was the same way and Jackie was able to "tame it" with her fabulous quilting. Now, I've got another quilt with the same problem. It is frustrating, but I'm hoping again that the quilting will help it lie flat. I don't blame you for not wanting to do a red one. It's still going to be a gorgeous quilt when it's finished and as was said above, if anyone can do it, it's you!
Whenever I have wavy edges, I spray it good with sizing, and place my cutting board on it overnight. It will be flat in the AM. After it's quilted and washed, you can't tell anyway. I can't wait to see it finished! I love scrappy :o) Amie
Oh bummer Wanda. It's such a nice quilt, But I know you will work it out. I agree with putting it aside for awhile to let it rest. Bias edges drive me wild and since my last experience with them, I tend to avoid them. The only way I could tame the waves on my last project was to trim one and a half inches all the way around. I wasn't pleased with the results because it changed the look I was going for, but it did get rid of the waves. You will figure something out, but for now you can strat something else that pleases you.
Give it a spritz with sizing, press and add borders. Do your quilting magic on it and it will be beautiful. I've gotten way worse waves on tops sent to me and after it's all done, you will be the only one to know there was issues!
What a pain for you Wanda- Perhaps putting it away for a few days would be a good solution. I hate it when things go all wonky on me. I get so I want to throw it in a drawer and never look at it again. That would be a shame as this is a lovely piece. It really is pretty so I hope you will finish it.
I am sure you will come up with a solution that works for you.
Regards,
Anna
I just know after a couple of days away from it you will think of something. I really like the direction of the strings and the colors.
HMmmm no comment on the waves. Somehow I know you will tame them. . It is a beautiful piece.
J~MT
I'd be tempted to lightly mist it with water, and let it dry naturally on a flat surface to see if that helps tame the waves.
It is going to be gorgeous. I love what you chose for the centre.
Maybe time for some more H blocks?
Argh, that is phenomenally frustrating. I might be tempted to just put it aside for a few months. I don't even own spray starch, so I know what you mean.
As an alternative to sizing or starch, you might try marking your cutting lines and then stay-stitching the bias edges near the drawn line before you even cut them out.
Wanda-this is great, I think you are maybe just to close to it. I love your philip jacobs prints below that you showed. I have all of Kaffe's books except the caravan one, I'm missing that one from my collection and it's just too expensive to buy on line where I've looked. Have a great week.
Are you sure you're not just looking at it from too close? I think it looks great, and your idea of reining it in by using a border strip is a good one. There's nothing more discouraging though than starting something, being really excited about it and then it all goes wrong.
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