Sidetracked

I have been seriously sidetracked this week.  Well, maybe scattered is a better word.  Being "sidetracked" implies that one has a primary project one is working on, to be sidetracked from.  Since I have four or five dozen projects in various stages of incompletion, I can't technically be sidetracked, can I?  It's just one big happy hopeless disaster in my sewing studio.

First I started working on my zippy bags.  Then the Doc Schnibble for May caught my attention.  Then Dresden Plates started calling my name.  Finally, I decided I really needed to practice my machine quilting.

Back to the Doc project, which involves a block called Card Trick.  I was way cocky in a previous post about this not being the challenge I thought it was going to be.  Sure, I got through the first two blocks and was all proud of myself, and that jinxed everything.  Serves me right.  I sewed the pieces to the block pictured above every possible which way except the right way.  And that meant un-sewing and re-sewing pieces that had already been trimmed (to fit other units) and working with bias edges.

I persevered and got the block together at last, and it isn't too much of a mess.  I just couldn't toss these fabrics because I LOVED them.  When you are working with charm packs, you don't have room to waste your pieces, and these were so cute I wasn't about to say "oh well" and start over.  I was like Tim Gunn.  I could hear his voice in my head saying "Make it work".

Comments

[Barbara Anne]

Nope, cannot be sidetracked. You're a woman of many talents and many interests, so it is completely logical that your attention would shift from one project to another. How's that for an early morning rationalization?!

Do you lay your block units out as they should look, then pick up pairs to sew together? I do that and even put a pin in the side of the pair that should be sewn. That pin placed as I pick up the two block units and put right sides together keeps me from most construction mistakes.

Hugs!

[Jennifer Gwyn]

Hi Nicole! I did buy my Schnibbles pattern, but I think it may be too ambitious to think I will be able to start on yet another project right now... I did want to share with you, and any others, that my favorite (and only) local quilt shop is liquidating their bolt fabric inventory right now after 20 years of business (I'm quite sad). Starting at 10:00 am CST, the fabric is $6.99/yard and they carry MODA and lots of others. Most everything else is going to be 30% off MSRP. Anyway, check it out if you have interest ... www.itsastitchonline.com. They are located in Humble, Texas. I have bought to my limit I think! Sale is available online as well, not just in store. Have a great day!

[Jan]

As I said yesterday...I'm studying your blocks before my Doc pattern arrives. I am not a sissy. I am not a sissy. I am not a sissy. YIKES!!! Meanwhile, I think I'll hop over to the website the commenter above mentioned! ...I am not a sissy...

[Helen in Switzerland]

Oh I do sympathise - I have days like that too!!

[Sandy M]

I definitely understand loving that fabric. I made my sister a quilt in that line and, to this day, it's still a favorite.
I pulled my Doc pattern to take a peek at it yesterday and realized that it's very similar to the Fig Tree pattern called Clovers. I loved that pattern and have been tempted to just make Doc BIG. For that, I'll have to finish Bibelot. And Opening Day. And Petite Fours. And Scrappy Plates... You get my drift, right? Good to see your version progressing though.

[AnnieO]

This week? It is only Tuesday! Don't be so hard on yourself :) Had to laugh at the five dozen projects...

Great Card Trick!

[Candace]

Oh, my -- I have a layer cake of this fabric sitting on my shelf wondering if it's ever going to be used! I LOVE this block! I may have do defintely do this Schnibble!
Cheers!

[Paula Zumaris]

I am loving Doc. I am anxious to see more of this.

[Sinta]

I love that fabric too... I hope you can think of something to make it work out. This is a project that should be laid out on the design wall first. I was actually working on this early this morning. Only I misplaced my pattern, so I was trying to just remember... that didn't go so well!hehe

[Nancy]

I have to tell you Nicole, that my first quilt ever, was a huge Star Spin quilt. It has a gigantic center with a version of the Card Trick block but made with four 16" Log c
Cabin blocks, cut apart to make the 'star' in the center with eight points on it. I loved everything about doing that quilt! BUT...I have been doing BOM's at our local quilt shop for the last few years and every single one of them has a Card Trick block in it. Honestly, it is my least favorite block. I have made lots of sampler blocks that have 80 - 100 small pieces in a 12 inch block...but put a Card Trick block in front of me and I fall apart, LOL. I can comfortably call the Card Trick block my quilting Nemesis...I often change to a different block when it comes time to do this one. I can get it done, but I don't enjoy it! It's looks are deceiving, it is very sneaky and NOT as easy as it appears. *whew, big sigh*. Thank you for letting me get that off my chest, *wink*. Now, having said that, I think your block turned out beautifully! Big Hugs...

[Sharon]

If I pick out a block like this, I give it quick spray with best press or starch or sizing,put the iron up and down only and that gives some stablization to the bias edges. Looks like you did a great job, love this fabric.

[ina]

Dang! I hate that when it happens. I have an entire bin of 'orphan blocks'. i figure one day they will make pin cushins, labels, an ugly mismatched quilt with a story...something. ;p

Stay cool! It's gonna be another hot day.

[Diane]

It's so nice to meet another quilter who turns things upside down and around. Even sometimes when I lay it out carefully and pin, it manages to twist and turn on me.

I currently have five projects out on my table/counter...

[Andee in AZ]

Doc is off to a great start!