I finally got the dog part of the last block of my "Knick Knack Pattywack" quilt finished. So yesterday, I worked on adding the doggy facial features and the dog house pieces around him. I got one block done--but it needs work.
My trouble comes about because my blocks turned out not to be the same size as given in the instructions. The instructions are written for 13" x 17" blocks. I think I might have had one that turned out that size. My smallest blocks are 12" x 16", so I find it necessary (unless I want to start over) to trim all my blocks to that size.
I was under the impression (who knows why) that it doesn't matter what size your blocks turn out with this type of piecing--that you can simply trim them all to match when you're finished. In a way that's true. Or it would be true if I didn't have to match those dog house pieces to the blocks.
So I had to figure out what size to cut my dog house pieces to fit my smaller blocks, including some half-square triangles. Let me tell you right off, math is not my calling. Numbers seem to screw up my brain and turn it into plum jelly. The block you see above has been sewn, unsewn, and sewn again several times with different size pieces--and it still isn't right. If you'll notice where the lighter green roof peak meets the red roof side and should match points with the brown house side, it doesn't. There's about a quarter-inch gap between the roof peak point and the brown corner.
So I have a couple of conundrums. One, I have a bunch of numbers scribbled on a piece of paper, and I'm not sure today if I can figure out which pieces match which numbers. Also, I can't decide whether to ignore that error and not take that block apart again--and get our my trusty seam ripper and start ripping and try to figure out what size to make what piece in order for those points to meet. I'm almost of the opinion that I should just forget the dog houses and border the blocks with straight border strips. AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!
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On 09/11/2015, Linda said ...
Aargh! Sometimes the best of figuring doesn't quite make it to perfection. I believe I would leave it as is. Perfection is overrated, don't you think? I think I would press my house seam toward the roof to give it a little lift, as it would be in real life, smile and then go on to the next item. Most people probably won't notice the discrepancy because our eyes tend to "fill in the blanks" for us. I'm anticipating seeing the finished quilt. That's a cute little doggie.
On 09/11/2015, Barbara Anne said ...
Oh, do I ever understand your frustration! Been there, too. Even after all of the 20+ years of quilting, if I cut HSTs as directed and sew, some are wonky and I cannot account for how that happens. Solution: I make the HSTs larger and trim them to size. Bingo!
Since all of these wonderful blocks are embellished with embroidery or applique, I'd edge this block's roof lines with rick-rack to hide that quarter inch and do the same on another block or two so it looks intentional.
As for the varying block sizes, I'd trim them to the same size if that's reasonable or sash them to make them the same. Come to think of it, I'd finish all of the blocks before doing any trimming or added sashing. Once they're all finished and the doggies are happily looking around, you'll know when you choose a layout what you need to do and not do to make it work. This will be a wonderful quilt! Hang in there!
Big hugs!
On 09/11/2015, Sandy said ...
Susan, wouldn't that 1/4 inch difference at the top be taken up in the joining seam allowance? that would make it perfect if I'm seeing it right. I wouldn't worry about the point where the brown strip and green triangle meet. Just tell anybody that asks that the house settled over time!!! Riding by on a horse you would never see that anyway!!! Good luck but give yourself a little slack. I love the block and those little things wouldn't bother me at all. Perfection is overrated in my opinion.
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