1.14.2009

Help! Help!

You may remember this quilt. I finished the top in May, and basted it in July. Then I got stuck. I was afraid to machine quilt it, I especially couldn't bring myself to free motion on it. I finally quilted some straight lines and finished the binding this morning. I was feeling especially hurried because this was meant to be a wedding present (yes, the wedding reception was last spring...), and I'll be seeing the bride this weekend.

I put it in the wash to soften it up a bit, and here is the result...



Two of the seams pulled. Now what? Do I try to repair it? I know what I did wrong, and I have so much more experience now, so maybe I scrap this one and start again on a new gift? *sigh*

And this is not so problematic, but my new scarf alternative* isn't quite what I had planned.


I was going more for cowl instead of collar, and you can't really see the patchwork *or* the vintage buttons. But it keeps my neck warm!

Thanks to all the suggestions for the new handbag. I've put off doing anything with it for now, because according to Jaxon it's great for "holding chocolate bars."



*The girl who waited on me at the coffee shop complimented my neckwear, but asked what it was exactly. She called it a "scarf alternative."

13 comments:

The WoodLand School said...

Oh, I'm so sorry about the quilt incident! UGH!

I had this happen on a couple of my early quilts, too. For one, I randomly appliqued a few geometric shapes on top of the openings. For the other, I stuck the fabric together using fusible webbing then stitched on top to hold everything together.

I must say that the appliques looked great (and intentional) ... the fusible was fine for me but probably not for a gift.

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

I would handstitch it closed with very small stitches. Love the colurs on it.

Rachel said...

What a shame about your quilt, that must be so frustrating! It's not colours I would normally go for but it actually looks lovely, like mint choc chip! Being a quilt newbie I don't have any great advice I'm afraid, although I think I would probably try the handstitching option.
Your little boy looks so cute with that bag!
:)

Abby and Stephanie said...

Jaxson looking darling with his new man bag! As for your quilt...how about appliquing a shape over the top whre the seams pulled apart...it could be artsy looking then you salvage the quilt.

Molly said...

My condolonces on your quilt. That would totally happen to me.

MJ said...

I'm an advanced beginner on the quilting stage; I won't offer advice on the quilt.

However, I am delighted that Jaxson grabbed the opportunity to use that great man's purse. (I'll adopt the Seinfeld reference!) I thought of it but was concerned the reception wouldn't have been well-received.

jacquie said...

this very same thing has happened to me...i handstitched mine closed. i can feel your frustration...i was so angry at myself. i knew what i did too...arrrg!

Anonymous said...

The applique idea is a great one. Since this is a wedding quilt, you could get some wide twill tape (1.25" would be perfect) and stamp or write the recipient's names on it. Since it's a wedding gift, and you have 2 rips, you could put one name on each piece of twill, then stitch it down over the ripped spots and it will totally look planned :)

Anonymous said...

Quick machine zig-zag across it to hold it down. Do it in a feature thread and add it randomly to a few other seams. Just like it was part of the design the whole time!

Otherwise I would applique some stars across the quilt.

it will be fine. It's all a part of the learnng curve and she'll love her generous gift.

Bonus Mom said...

I vote for appliques :) I just found your blog through Jacquie. Lovely. I got a wii fit for Christmas too. I have to comment on your Kerry Beary prints, I used some of her fabric on my Project Improv quilt. I had no idea she had an Etsy shop. Love your prints!

jessica said...

I was going to vote for a handstitch too - try to go in between the two fabrics so you don't see the stitches. There's an actual name for this stitch, I just can't think of it right now. Whatever you do, best of luck!

Amanda Jean said...

ugh...my stomach just sunk for you!!! i hope you come up with a solution to fix it!

Trying Traditional said...

do an applique over each spot after reinforcing the fabric. It can be fixed fairly easily.

I like the "scarf alternative" it looks warm!

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