Monday, June 16, 2014

Quilt Math – an anomaly


Is it me or are there times when “quilt math” is inconsistent?

When I am making 76 blocks for a quilt and I get to #38, I am on the home stretch.  If I’m making 120 four-patches and hit #60, it’s a piece of cake!  I’m currently working on 7.5” log cabin blocks and have to make 64.  I completed #20 yesterday and felt like I am on a roll and this is going to be done in no time.

And then, there is this quilt.  I love it.  But this is block #8 of 16 total large blocks and I am overwhelmed at the amount of work that lies ahead to finish all the applique.  What gives?  Seriously, I feel like I just got started and many of you know this journey started in January, 2011 with a false start on a black background block and I couldn’t stand the lint and show through.  So that block will someday be a practice piece for quilting and become a linty pillow.

I was sure that halfway would motivate me to keep stitching.  As it is, I think I’ll give my fingers a rest and watch the World Cup, do a little long arming, and make log cabins. Maybe when I hit #9 I’ll be “on a roll”!

I hope your quilt math is working out and you are motivated to finish projects you love!


Jan

14 comments:

Wendy @ Wendysquiltsandmore said...

well, I hope this doesn't discourage you more, but I hit a slump on month 8 of a 10 month block of the month. Wouldn't you think I'd be on the home run and gliding towards the finish? No, I couldn't get anything right on block 8, and unpicked far more on it than on any other of the others. I've finally finished though, and am determined that months 9 and 10 aren't going to cause the same problems. Good luck with yours. I love the lollipop tree so do keep going.

Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD said...

Dropping by from QBTR - Oh how marvellous this is, your fussy cutting is perfect and also those appliqued pieces. The dotty background fabric is fab - so many would use a solid but this really, really works. Hang on in there, the end will def be worth it - Chris :D

Chantal said...

Oh I hear you so well! I write on a blackboard the blocks or rows or pieces that I have accomplished because I can't wait to get to the half way checkpoint! Hang in there; the rewards will just be bigger when you get to the finishing line. Lollipop tree is such an amazing quilt. Love it!

Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation said...

this block is so beautiful! I hope you get some motivation from seeing it all come together!

:) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

Plum Cox said...

It's like swimming lengths of a pool to get to a mile, isn't it? When I swam I used to have all sorts of counting tricks and games to keep me going.
I'm sure that you'll be fine with how far you are along in the project once you've had a bit of a break from it! Enjoy all those other things and come back to it refreshed - it is looking great so far!

Karyn said...

It looks awesome! You have to persevere with it.

Emily Thompson said...

that is just gorgeous!! I love the colors you chose. Thanks for linking up to Create Link Inspire.. pinned!

Vera said...

I'm pretty bad with my math so I can only wish you luck with yours :-)

M-R Charbonneau said...

I hear you on feeling like the appliqué takes forever. I have hope for #9. Your project is going to be gorgeous! You can do it!

Shauna said...

I totally understand, sometimes hitting the halfway mark spurs me on and sometimes it just seems like I still have forever to go.

Liz said...

I am so, so the same. Some quilts seem epic, and others fine, without any rhyme or reason. This is gorgeous though - I have seen some of these blocks on IG and I can see this quilt in my future sometime. I imagine one day you'll decide you want to get in to it, and then it will be done in no time.

scraphappy said...

Quilt blocks, like time, are relative. Not all blocks are created equal and not all quilts can be "quilt in a day". Enjoy the process. It really is the most important part.

The Colorful Fabriholic said...

Maybe the difference in the quilt math has to do with applique vs. piecing? Whatever, I think your block is ,and I hope the effort you've put into the first 8 and how pretty they are will motivate you to keep going.

Judy in Michigan said...

Amazing! I think you need to count minutes instead of blocks. A log cabin block can be done in minutes while an applique block takes at least one week. Your work and fabric choices make it all worth while. Just keep switching between projects and you might not notice how few app. blocks get done. Persevere!!