Let me explain what happened....because I do know.
Way back in "the day" (yes it was that long ago) when I started the kaleidoscope blocks I had a bit of a struggle but eventually got them to flatten out (or so I thought). I guess now it has been a couple of weeks ago, I added the borders and noticed they weren't flat but instead were a bit ripply (is that a word?). I thought maybe I could quilt it out because it wasn't too bad.
Well, while making Kaylah's bags, I was having problems with my machine but the problems would come and go. I just kept plowing forward. While trying to do simple straight line quilting on Callee's quilt, it was fine in the beginning and then it wasn't. Before I knew what was happening it was a hot mess. And then it was too far gone and we all know how I feel about ripping out stitches - especially in an entire quilt - the day before Christmas Eve!
There are more ripples in this quilt than a yard/meter of ruffle fabric
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| Ruffle Fabric |
Let me give you some up close shots. I am very embarrassed by this but sometimes one must admit their mistakes in order to move forward. Additionally, there must be something that can be done with this.
Normally I am very hard on myself but oddly I am OK with this - I don't feel bad just ready to chalk it up as a hot mess and move on. I mean, we all make mistakes right?
So...here is what I need to know...what do I do with it? Before you answer, you need to know...I am NOT going to rip all those quilting stitches out. I have no problem cutting it up and using it for something else. I just don't know what. Any suggestions? I would love to set fire to it but I know there has got to be something to do with it. It is such pretty fabric.
Okay, here goes - this may well be the dumbest suggestion ever!
ReplyDeleteHow about running some big cotton perle 'hand quilting' stitches (or is it basting?) either vertically or horizontally through the diamonds and maybe double row,leaving long tails - then gently gather or ruche the quilt along these threads?
WOW~~ LOL that is a mess! I know you don't feel it's worth ripping, but.. Really, the only thing I would do is frog that sucker and start over. Look up on youtube how longarmers do it quickly, and it won't be such a daunting task. I don't rip stitch by stitch.. At worst you nick the batting but that won't even matter.
ReplyDeleteOH but I do like the ruching idea. might be cute..
ReplyDeleteAnother idea is to stick it in a closet, (in the back) for a few years. That's my style, LOL
ReplyDeleteOh my.... LOL Sorry but, damn! What happened??? Do not rip it apart. Its lovely, the fabrics are lush. If you dont want to unpick the quilting now, stick it in a cupboard for next year!
ReplyDeleteOh, wow! That is really a beautiful quilt and certainly looks worth the time to rip out the problems. I guess if you don't want to do that, you could maybe use is as a filler for another quilt...
ReplyDeleteHere is a youtube video about quicker seam ripping, which I am going to try next time I need it. I would either burn it or rip the threads out during a tv/movie night or nights. I still like it, I vote for the ripping.
ReplyDeleteThat is one ripply quilt! Do you have a dog that needs a blanket? (Sorry, but I can't think of any way to save it without ripping out all those stitches!)
ReplyDeleteHi... I have a similar situation with a quilt I made... actually it was my first one.
ReplyDeleteIt is full of flaws and I have it hanging in my living room.
I keep it there to remind me life is not perfect and is full of flaws, but like the colors in the quilt, it is beautiful.
Could you maybe cut all of the borders off, even the pink ones, saving only the medallions. Bind them up and use them for candle mats-gift them with a candle. Or once cut out of the mess, redo them as a quilt as you go?
ReplyDeleteThat is one very pretty quilt and it could be fixed.....you need to suck it up and rip out those stitches! One or two nights in front of the tv would probably do the whole thing. Then you could put it in a cupboard for six months or a year and tackle it again when you've got over being mad at it.
ReplyDeleteDog's bed for sure!! Oh dear :(
ReplyDeleteYou need to get spray-basting - no such problems EVER!
What a shame xxx
Ok, this is dumb, but. Send it to me, I will rip it out and send it back. Then you can start over without having to spend tears on it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do mean it. If you would trust me.
OH DEAR!! Well the hours of work in there should not go to waste... so .... why not give it to someone elsse to unpick? (You have one offer already from mammafairy) that way you get a rest from it and when it comes home you can think about it xx
ReplyDeleteOuch! That is what happened to me when my walking foot needed a bit of cleaning and I used the cotton bud with olive oil in it (its perfectly fine now by the way).
ReplyDeleteYou could turn it into the lining of a bag, it wouldn't matter so much with the ripples if the quilt top was inside but you could still enjoy the fabric. Maybe just add a simple outer layer to keep the outside neat.
Oh my! Now might be the time to employ child labour for the stitch ripping, then you won't have the pain ;o) Good luck with finding the answer!
ReplyDeleteOh honey. What happened!?!? We all have one of these. We just don't talk about them. I love the fabrics used in mine and it was made with such great intentions. I just couldn't throw it out. I finished it off (lumps and bumps and all) and it is now our winter blanket on our bed. It goes under the comforter so you can't see it, but I get to love the fabrics each time I change the sheets. No one sees my hot mess, but it keeps us warm and gives me a bit of happiness now and then.
ReplyDeleteOur local animal shelter requests pretty quilts for the cats and dogs so that the whole place looks homey and shows the animals to best advantage. I'd suggest cutting the quilt into sizes appropriate for cats or large dogs, binding them up and sending them where they truly will be appreciated. The fabric is beautiful - don't burn it. Also, ripping out the stitching will make you hate it more and will leave marks. You will probably never love the quilt the way you want to, but the shelter will be thrilled.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is one ripply quilt. But please don't burn it! You've put so much work and love into it that it would be such a terrible waste! You know, I don't think Callee would even notice and would love it anyway but, if that's not an option, then I would take up the offer of someone else ripping the stitches out and then get busy with the basting spray! Good for you for putting it out there, though!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
R xx
Personally, I love that quilt! Ripples are my speciality and I would cherish it with or without flaws if I were the reciever. It is beautiful. So there, I said my piece!
ReplyDelete