I was so excited to have this weekend to finish up my Halloween 1904 blocks. I began by sewing on the triangle units to the appliqued star blocks. These blocks are really big, I am telling you. And so darn cute! This project has been so enormously fun.
The next step was to attach borders of half square triangles to each of the 16 quilt blocks. Sixteen quilt blocks, with 24 half square triangles each. 384 half square triangles. Which I laboriously made using the Star Singles papers. Lots of trimming, but perfect little half square triangle units.
This is what 384 two inch finished half square triangle units look like after trimming and ripping the papers off.
384 two inch finished half square triangle units that were supposed to actually be TWO AND A HALF INCHES FINISHED. For which I used my very cutest black prints.
I need a moment for this to sink in.
My house is the one with the drawn shades and the black wreath on the door. And sounds of loud wailing coming from inside. Condolences accepted.
Oh my word! I feel your pain! But I think I'd try hard to find a way to use these ones instead!
Posted by: Darlene | October 15, 2012 at 04:18 AM
omg!
Posted by: Doris | October 15, 2012 at 04:22 AM
Oh no.......I'm wailing over here in Switzerland in sympathy.... Is there any chance of scaling everything else down so you can still use them? Please say yes! Isn't that just one of those nightmare situations - OK so nobody died, but the frustration is huge. I really truly feel your pain. I would be the one banging her head against the wall.....
Posted by: Helen in Switzerland | October 15, 2012 at 04:37 AM
Oh no. What a lot of work. Can you use them in a Halloween table runner or something to go with this quilt. I think I would have cried. Is their anyway you can use them by adding something to the design? Condolences sent. Feeling your pain.
Posted by: Brenda | October 15, 2012 at 04:53 AM
OMG. I am SO sorry. What a panicky feeling this is, even vicariously! Think creative. There must be a way to stretch it out to meet the number where it's supposed to be. Yes, definitely in sympathy for you!
Posted by: Vicki | October 15, 2012 at 04:57 AM
Oh no!! All that work!! BUT with your creativity, I am sure you will design something beautiful with them.
Posted by: Jocelyn | October 15, 2012 at 05:02 AM
Oh no!!! All I can say is that I've been there. Don't hit your head too hard against the wall. Is there anyway the 2" ones could work? Ugh. So sorry.
Posted by: JoAnne McPHerson | October 15, 2012 at 05:04 AM
OH NOOOO! My heart sank for you! BUT>>> I bet you will find a way to make it work!! :)
SO sorry for you!!!
Posted by: Chris | October 15, 2012 at 05:18 AM
I'm observing this tragedy with a moment of silence, if I had a black wreath I would hang it, every quilter reading your blog today feels your pain, including me. There are better days ahead!
Posted by: Thelma | October 15, 2012 at 05:28 AM
How frustrating! I feel your pain but I'm guessing, along with other commenters, you'll come up with a solution. Meanwhile, don't be too hard on yourself...we're our worst critics!
Posted by: Jan | October 15, 2012 at 05:32 AM
I sympathize very much! However, is there a way you can use the smaller size instead? You will need more, though. And maybe the scale doesn't work well.
Posted by: Cathy | October 15, 2012 at 05:33 AM
Is there any way you can fit in one more half square along each side? Or could you fit in a solid square right at the point of the square on the big block? OH, my, what a state of affairs! Good luck.
Posted by: Marge | October 15, 2012 at 05:45 AM
OMG, I would need more than a moment for that to sink in. I'm so sorry this happened! Set the project aside, focus on something else for awhile and come back to it when you are ready. There is probably a solution that will salvage all or most of your work and with some time away, it will come to you.
Posted by: Laura | October 15, 2012 at 05:55 AM
Well *@(#@%@!! Maybe a narrow inner border would work with them? Sorry Nicole!
Posted by: Jennifer | October 15, 2012 at 06:16 AM
oh no! emergency phone call, a 911 to buggy barn...."more cute black prints, please. STAT". oh, nicole....i feel your pain. like you said, just a minor set back.
Posted by: deb myers | October 15, 2012 at 06:20 AM
Oh, say it isn't so!!!! Huge consoling hugs to you! No doubt there is a solution that you or someone will think of. What occurs to me is adding a very narrow coping strip around each block so the measurement will add up to the length of the small HSTs once they're sewn together. Depending on what color fabric you choose for the coping strip, it could look even more fantastic, as if light or fire or ...?... was shining between the blocks.
More big hugs!
We're leaving for Eastern Shore soon so will enjoy catching up on Friday.
Be good to you!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | October 15, 2012 at 06:20 AM
Oh no! I hate to say it but "been there, done that" more times than I like to think about! But, fabric can (usually) be replaced and I bet the 1/2 square triangles could be used to make a border for an accent pillow (or three) to go with the great quilt that you are making.
But, I too, had thought about the extra border to make up the difference --- or perhaps some kind of corner treatment to make up the space?
Let us see what you end up doing.
Posted by: Sherry V. | October 15, 2012 at 06:35 AM
Yikes! Perhaps you have a head start on another quilt now??
Posted by: Diane | October 15, 2012 at 06:42 AM
I'm so sorry - I hate that when it happens. Had it happen before:( I 'm thinking that if you put a very narrow border around them it could possibly work? Or save them for another project and then make more. Just think you would have 1/2 the quilt ready to go:)
LauraT
Posted by: LauraTawney | October 15, 2012 at 06:43 AM
Gosh Nicole you are human after all!!!!!(lol) This sounds like something I would have done because I am known for reading instructions after the fact.
I am sure that you will come up with the perfect solution after you have come out of mourning .
Posted by: CarlaHR | October 15, 2012 at 06:56 AM
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! How heartbreaking for you. I am sure you will find a way to make it work for you, but I have to agree with Thelma...I would be hanging a black wreath for your situation as well. This quilt will definitely have a story to go with it, when all is said and done!
Chin up girl. Quilters are resourceful people...you will find a solution..I have faith in you!
Posted by: Wendy | October 15, 2012 at 07:03 AM
So many of us feel your pain... take a breath, take a break, and walk away from it for a while. At least you have the makings for another project...
Posted by: Kathy | October 15, 2012 at 07:05 AM
Oh Wa-a-a Nicole. We are all in this miserable heap with you. Thank goodness you have a blog you can "scream" into and not go this misery alone! If you find a solution we will all cheer along, if you make the triangles over again we will coach you onwards and upwards. Yay Nicole! That what bloggy friends are for...
Posted by: Stephani in TX | October 15, 2012 at 07:10 AM
How heartbreaking. I'm sorry that you used your cutest fabrics and made blocks that won't work in 1904, but hopefully you will use them for something equally fabulous. Don't give up! Your blocks are fabulous - I especially love your custom applique blocks!
Posted by: Lisa D. | October 15, 2012 at 07:30 AM
Oh My! Feeling your Pain. 384 is a LOT of HQS. I know you will figure out a way to use them somehow , someday.
Posted by: Linda L | October 15, 2012 at 07:33 AM