Monday, September 21, 2009

A "Thanks For Sharing" Giveaway!

I have been sewing my leaders and enders all year, (if you haven't already done them, go check out quiltville.com/leadersenders.shtml) It is a loooonnnngggg process, you could just whip up a basketfull of HST's, but then you still have to use a scrap to start strips on other quilts. So, my thrifty nature is drawn to this system. and, after a ton of scraps, I have acquired enough HST's to make a full size quilt for the guest room. I LOVE the scrappiness of this project, and I was anxious to get it done. I sewed squares into blocks, blocks into strips, laid it all out on our bed to make sure no two adjoining squares had the same fabric...
and BOOM! Mr. Wonderful dropped a bomb, he announced, in a pleading tone, that he rreeeeaaalllyyy loved this one. The best one yet, wouldn't it look good on our bed? Did I have to make it for the guest room? Nobody would be able to enjoy it unless we had guests.
So, plan B.....make it larger to fit our bed, which is a California Queen, back to the old scrap bag!
That meant I had to start a new quilt to produce more Leaders and Enders, right?
I started a matchy-matchy blue Irish Chain. Every so often, I veer from the scrappy and I have to do a matchy-matchy to renew my sense of order, and to show off some of my favorite fabrics. I stripped, and I blocked, and I was merrily ironing along, When I stumbled upon a disaster...EEK! What the...........surely, Mr. Wonderful must have gotten up in the middle of the night and tried to sew blocks, because "I" would not do this. "I" was careful. cautious, vigilant!!! "I" fastidiously made sure ALL of my seam allowances were lined up PERFECTLY! Of course, he denied all accusations.
Girls, you have all helped me soooo much, through all of my foibles, frustrations, and fretting, so would you continue to help this old gal out? I will share a beautiful Cinderberry Stitches pattern and 3 fat quarters, if you'll leave a comment in answer to this question:

"Would you un-sew this seam and return it to it's perfected state? Or would you leave it, and pray the Quilt Police never lay eyes on this quilt?"

To get a second entry in the giveaway, post this on your blog, so I can get other opinions. I will have Mr. Wonderful pick the winner on Friday.

Here's hoping all your seam allowances are straight!

lyn

52 comments:

Amelia said...

Leave it the way it is - you have earned the right to let some things go - if the quilt police come your way - just send them packing out the back door and down the alley.

However, if it would make you happier resew as should be.

I know - no firm solution...what ever you decide.

Helen said...

Ok...the dilemma...

If this were my project, I would tell myself it didn't matter. And, in the scope of things, it DOESN'T matter.

Now the big but (NO not the big BUTT, just but)...

Knowing myself, I would end up pickin' stitches and making it right, because I know in my heart it's what I would see EVERY darned time I looked at that quilt.

Just saying... :)

I love ya, Lynn.

Hugs

Anonymous said...

I would leave it like that: it's your personal touch: passion doesnt' have to be perfect. Hugs dear Lyn.

Finn said...

And here's my two cents worth..*VBS* It's got to be totally YOUR decision. If you can live with it, and it doesn't cause you anxiety, leave it. If you HATE it everytime you look at the quilt(or top, or blocks) then change it now because you'll hate it forever.
It's Quilting 101..."if you don't like it(the block, square, what have you)when you add it to the quilt top. you'll feel that same way every time you see the finished product".
So good to see you at the sewing machine again *VBS* Glad Mr. Wonderful spoke up, it's a gorgeous top! Hugs, Finn

Anonymous said...

It's me again. I've put a link on my blog : http://countrycosy.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/lyn-giveaway/
Hugs again.

Annelise Pedersen said...

No doubt: I would unsew the stitches to correct it.

Great Give-Away! Please count me in!

Hugs from Denmark

free indeed said...

I would undo it; being a matchy matchy quilt, I think the mistake would be glaring. Of course you could just not use this one and use it on the back as a lable and no one would be the wiser. What's cutting out strips for one more block. And if you are really ambitious, if you look carefully, you wouldn't have to undo this one, just add the rest in a different manner....more than two cents worth huh?

Theresa said...

Well, if I had did this, I would leave it as is cause I just don't like to re-do things.... But I guess it all depends on how you feel. Can you tolerate this imperfection? Do you think it will bother you when all is done? Everyone is different, just go with what your heart tells you.

Thank you so much for the giveaway, I would love to enter and will add a link on my blog~~

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Granny Lyn...a real dilemma!!! If it were me I think I would unpick and resew...having said that if it looks okay on the outside (as I'm sure it does)...and if you are happy with it...just leave it!!! I reckon sewing is not supposed to be stressful!!! Ask yourself in a quiet time and go with your gut instinct...hope this helps...Please count me in your wonderful giveaway...I love that pattern...Dzintra♥x

Sue Cahill said...

If it were me I would leave it as it is and never given it another thought. I subscribe to the Amish philosophy, only God is perfect so mistakes are meant to be.

But....if it is going to make you nuts and bug you every time you look at the quilt so that you can't truely enjoy the fruits of your lablor I would say repair it.

It really is a personal choice ...no right or wrong way to go...just do what you know what will make you happy.

Sue Cahill (sbonetsue at yahoo dot com)

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I'd take it out - but first I would sew it into the quilt - berating myself for doing that and knowing I'd take it out in the end - but I'd sew a lot more and THEN I'd take it out - never one to take the easy way and just take it out in the first place - like I knew I needed to. LOL

Myriam said...

Sans hésitation, je défais et recommence correctement....Je viens en visite depuis le blog de Rachel et je découvre de bien jolies choses

QuiltedSimple said...

Oh Lyn - you crack me up!!! Me, I would leave it, only because I HATE to rip out seams and you SHOULDN'T notice it once it is quilted. HOWEVER, it's not that big of a fix so it would be fairly simply to fix it. I'll be putting your giveaway up later today:) This will be absolutely stunning whatever you decide to do, seriously.
Kris

Deb Upcycles said...

I would leave it, after all nobody is perfect.

I posted your contest on my blog here: http://debsblogcontests.blogspot.com/2009/09/giveaway-for-cinderberry-stitches.html

Norma said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Norma said...

A year ago, I would have left it just as it was. My skill has improved enough now, though, that it would drive me crazy and I would fix it because I know how. I have learned a lot from mistakes just like that. I also believe in the Amish 'humility" block, that only God makes something perfect and heaven knows, I am not perfect. My quilts all still have lots of humility in them but for the most part, I don't find it until everything is all together and can be fixed only by tearing it all apart. There, my "humble" opinion, for what it is worth.

I agree with Mr Wonderful, that quilt is mean to be enjoyed daily!

sandra said...

Just found your blog and your question is an important one! Being a perfectionist, I would start again!

Dolci Fusa said...

I would unsew the stitches to correct it.
Hugs,
Veronica

mouse said...

I operate by the philosophy of: if it's going to bug you every time you look at it, fix it. If it looks good enough to you and isn't going to bother you, then who cares?? It's your quilt and anyone who gives you trouble about it should mind their own business! They're not the ones who put all the work into it in the first place :) I love the scrappy quilt, by the way--beautiful! :)

lewmew said...

I also subscribe to the Amish philosophy of everything needs a mistake. And for grandchildren, it could later become a version of "Where's Waldo?" or "I Spy" - have them try to find it!

linda

Linda said...

I'd leave it the way it is. It's not worth fretting over and will not detract from the beauty and charm of the quilt whatsoever. I love your scrappy quilt. I recently attended one of Bonnie Hunter's workshops and it was inspiring to just be in the same room as her! I'm posting your link on my blog. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Egater said...

I think that I would un-sew it. There is not lot to do :) and it would be correct
egateris at gmail dot com

Micki said...

I would leave it as it is, and just enjoy the quilt...not worth the hastle.
Hope that helps!
Micki

Doina said...

I would unsew the stitches to correct it. I posted your contest on my blog.

Jocelyn said...

If it is on the back,never to be seen by even the Quilt police, I would leave it! It will all quilt out in the end :-) Thanks for your incentive giveaway!

Shellie said...

I leave it up to you. If it bothers you undo it..not much to undo and fix. If it does not then do not. I love my flaws in my quilts... it is me.. who I am... Not Perfect in any way.
Do what is best for you and your peace of mind.

Wendyb said...

ooo, ooo, ooo...I could live with it for a little while but then, my eye would be drawn to it, I'd keep going back and think.."I should have", "I could have", "Why didn't I?" so, being the painfully self-picky perfectionist patchworker than I am...I'd HAVE to unpick it!
...but then.....!!!!
;o) Wendy B

Lisa said...

ok....:) If someone was asking my opinion I would tell them to leave it....that it'll be unnoticeable in the grand scheme of things....but if it were me I would not be able to leave it...I would have to fix it...:/
Silly, I know.
-Lisa

Lisa said...

I've blogged about your dilemma!
-Lisa

Linda Lee said...

My quilting friend told me that only God is perfect and our mistakes remind us that we are not! If someone looks close enough to see the mistake you could always tell them that you left it there just for them to find!

Candace said...

You know what? I say darn to the Quilt Police! It's a scrappy quilt and it deserves a little "give"....so as long as your blocks are square - I'll never tell!
Cheers!

Linda said...

Ohhh. I'm afraid I'd have to undo it and make it right. You'll be glad later.

Linda

Quiltluver said...

Since it is fairly small and not sewn to anything else yet, I would fix it. But that is just me. It would bug me. Now if the quilt was all sewn together, I would leave it. Who cares about quilt police anyway? Karen

Anonymous said...

Sorry for some reason I can't post under my google account. It is saying error.

nana947@hotmail.com

Oh, I posted the previous post about redoing it. Excuse the repeat.

Linda

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

If it were my mistake, I would leave it. Actually, I have left it before. It doesn't bother me but if it bothers you, then you should definitely take it out and fix it.

Regina said...

I am a leaver - every quilt has a story and this just may be the story for this one!

Anonymous said...

If this is just for you, I wouldn't worry about it. My husband has done some quilting - he doesn't have perfect corners, but I don't care; it keeps us warm nonetheless.

Unknown said...

Hi Lyn~
These wonky things show up in our quilts to remind us to let go of perfection....I had the same dilemma with a quilt I just finished for my little granddaughter~I thought I would leave a upside down(!!)strip to remind her and myself that life is like that sometimes and its still beautiful~
Eileen

Aimee said...

I'm new fairly new to quilting & have made this kind of mistake. I pulled the stitches. Of course, I'm a crazy perfectionist, and have pulled rows & rows out of knitting & crochet patterns because I've found a boo-boo.

Tricia said...

I would take it out...I'm very, very critical of my own work. Sorry!

Maggey and Jim said...

Ah, yes, there was a time when I would just cut it and press down but now I take more time and rip..Then at least I know that it is right. Sometimes even with all the planning I have that happen, I just don't know how to prevent it. It seems like all my projects have had at least one? There ya go!!Of course if its competition you must!!!
I am not a follower of your blog, I don't have my own yet.
Maggey

Becky said...

Ack! I would be un-doing and re-doing. I would see it every time I walked in to the room!! Maybe you can "hide" it on the side of the quilt that's nearest the wall?

Lovely blog - glad I "found" you.

quiltmom anna said...

I would probably undo it and restitch it because it would be something that would be crazy making for me.. If it will bug you when you look at it, change it and if not, others probably won't notice it - We often are more particular than anyone else.
Nice giveaway for some lucky reader.
Warmest regards,
Anna

Betsy said...

I would re-sew or clip it so it lays in the right direction and then press it lightly.
Both quilts are beautiful.

arlette said...

Hmmmm, hard question, but I'll leave it as is it, maybe later on, you have to make another one, don't be stressed, lol. I'll blog about your problem right now arlette0521.blogspot.com

Rosa-Munda said...

It would be very easy to leave it, but it would be soooooo much nicer to have a lovely flat seam and you will be pleased afterwards. Go on, you know you want to!!!
Ros

Renee G said...

If I wanted to ever be able to sleep under the quilt, I would have to fix it. Otherwise, the little booboo would be all that I see when I look at the quilt.

Now if you were making the quilt for me, and it had a booboo. All the better ---this just adds to the character and wouldn't bother me at all.

rsgrandinetti@yahoo(Dot)com

Jean M. said...

Hi .... I would leave it and say "It is what it is"... That is if you like it...If not than take it out and start over... You are the one who has to be pleased with it.... Keep quilting... :)

Kim said...

Since the back ground is white it WILL show....and it will only take minutes to fix it......so fix it and then when the quilting is done that glaring mistake will not be the focus of the Quilt.
You took all the time to make it in just the right colors now make the seam correct too. You can leave it on a scrappy piece, but not this one :0)
Happy sewing

sewfunquilts said...

Yup! I'd rip it out and fix it!

I have a close quilt friend who says..."do you want it finished, or do you want it perfect"??

Sometimes I just want it finished, sometimes I want it "almost perfect"..

thanks for the fun!.

Unknown said...

I just stumbled across your blog and thought what a great question. One we ask ourselves often. I know none of us are perfect, but being a perfectionist, it would drive me insane leaving it, so I'd un-pick it and re-sew it, but if it doesn't bother you, then leave it the way it is.

Miss Jean said...

i just finished reading "that dorky homade look" and from that I have learned that quilts are for many things and we all don't make museum quilts. what a shame that would be. someone has to make the quilts that go on a picnic, thrown on the ground, spilled on, hugged when someone is sick, in other words, loved. and no one cares if it has a mistake or 20 when they need a quilty hug.