Join my IQ "I Can't Finish my Quilt in Time" Pity Party

[Judy, USMC]

Get comfortable this is a long read. So I started in mid-October and got 11 of 12 blocks done while out of town. Then I had to stop to work on producing inventory for the craft fairs: 185 large clamshell melts, 800 mini melts, 16 dipped bears and 144 ornaments. Then it was time to sell at the craft fairs ... and that took 3 weekends.

But that was OK because I had a whole week to make the last block and finish it up .... plenty of time! Then DH decided it was time for a new car but the problem was the one he was looking at is 100 miles away (5 hour round trip.) So took Monday to look at it, Tuesday to work out the details, and Wednesday to pick it up. Got that out of the way and break out the sewing machine to do the last block and couldn't find the pedal. So took Thursday morning to rip through sewing materials and suitcases looking for it ... never found. Finally got the backup out and fiddled with setting it up for the project.

Thanksgiving evening - DH plans dinner - in a neighboring town; Thursday is shot.

Friday morning discovered I made the remaining block too large so make another one - which is now too small! Friday evening start putting on the sashing on the other blocks and set up to iron. Start pressing and discover the Rowenta water tank is cracked and leaking all over. I hate electricity and water so tossed but now too late to go shopping. So instead I worked a special order for more ornaments and decided bright & early Sat I'll shop for another iron; still time to put all the pieces together, press, stitch in the ditch, binding on with the machine and photo.

Ha, not so fast! Took my time selecting the best iron I could get but got the one that passed inspection but had a leaky tank. Back to the store and got another one ... after standing in line for 1/2 hr. Second same as the first ... back again for a refund. Store #2 only had the display model & wouldn't sell it to me. So I grab an iron, go home and this doesn't even heat up and auto shuts off after 2 minutes. I'm shaking it to wake up and water is spraying all over the place. DH says he's going to get dinner - YES, wonderfully considerate! Came home with groceries for me to cook ... boo, hiss. So I look at it on the design wall and decide I'd rather go with quality rather than taking short cuts. 4 hours left and not enough time to do it justice so ...

I have a glass of wine and some munchies ... ready to share my party with anyone else who has had real life come between them and the IQ challenge.

[SiobhanF]

I'm so sorry for all your trouble! I think you should still take a pic and submit it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained?

[bec]

Goodness! Sounds like a nightmare where you are trying to run or do something in a hurry, but are moving in slow motion...Hate those dreams! So sorry you had it in real life! Finish it, post it, and we will ooohhh and ahhhh over it. I'm sure it will be a winner even if it doesn't get entered into the IQ contest. Hugs.

[K. McEuen]

I got called back to work mid-October and that cut into my quilting quite a bit more than I thought it would. My top has been finished for a couple weeks, but with holidays and other meetings that came up I never did get around to finishing it. I finally let it go last weekend so I'd stop stressing about it.

[Oleg]

Me too! Finally figured out I was using the wrong type of thread for my free motion quilting. No way I can finish quilting the other 60% of the quilt top, attach the binding, and wash it get rid of my stencil lines. At least I tried!

[PeggyM]

Wow, quite a story. I believe the fabric came with challenges; I've seen a number of frustration stories. I know I had many frustrations, but yours top the cake. Enjoy the wine.

[HdWench]

YES!! I was sitting here typing trying to figure out how to say - Arrange your blocks on top of a bed and at least Submit a photo!! Heck you worked hard Trying to get this done and nothing posted is everything Lost!

So here's my *wine* too - but I got mine submitted at 3 pm today

We left the Missouri Star Quilt Retreat and slowly made our way back home to Arizona. There was our 36' 5th wheel to not only get everything removed from, but cleaned and ready to put into storage. We also tow a 6x10' Cargo trailer full of our clothing (and extra fabric *I* have to have on the road)... That had to be Inventoried and listed. During the Retreat I was happy to get 4 Charm Packs and knew what I wanted them to be... not a hard design but a small queen, big twin size. After everything was ready I paired and sewed my 1/2 square triangles.

When I tried to open them up I realized I had sewn all the way around and after cutting in 1/2 --- Made Pita Pockets!!! Dang! Cut again and they were Quarter square triangles -- SO happy I did this on only 1 Charm pack *phew* ... While I tried to still make that design work - No way my squares were coming out even -- From Charm pack to Charm Pack - Even IN the same charm pack, these charms were Off Size!! Some a bit larger than 5", some a big smaller than 5", but either way my 1st pick was slowly circling the drain. I took a photo and sent it to a few friends asking their advice and another design idea I had. Wellll My 2nd choice began.

Two weeks wasted making pita pockets and a partial design with 1 charm to be used in a later saga

Pain, omg I live in constant, daily pain so back to the doc I went. This time I tried the epidural shot in the neck - Holy Smokes I will tell you, it took my breath away!! The doctor kept saying Breathe - He should'a smacked me like a newborn!! I could not take more than a wisp of a breath it sent shocks from the base of my top spine down both arms and legs to the toes. Thank goodness my husband drove, I could not walk more less drive! Days later I knew back to the Iron Quilt I had to go, or no chance of making anything and I'd let myself down, along with some of my friends I've made quilts for that want to cheer me on.

So back to the drawing board and only 3 charm packs left :-) Boring isn't it... I'll stop but thanks to many of my friends and forum folks that PUSH us all with Flash Sewing, encouraging words left on uploaded photo's or quilts in Show and Tell - How could I let all of you down too? Nope I couldn't do that. I began cutting and making Design #2 the 2nd week in November. I'm also managing a Vintage Pattern clothing contest on another forum the month of November. Many people in the contest are from Europe so I stay up all night (their Daytime) to help with pattern fitting issues, posting their reviews, etc and sew

I'm driven by YOU all, so even if you didn't make it to the finish line in time, I'm proud of you being here and trying for the Big Challenge! You will finish it and make us all proud

(((Hugs))) Now get your photo submitted it's not midnight YET!

[bhaggerty]

Yikes!
Relax tonight!
Would still love to see a pic of your blocks as I bet they are beautiful!!
Agree with Debbie- you can upload partials - there is no rule against that!

[auntiemern]

I would so love to see your blocks. I feel so bad for all the folks that stressed so badly over this. I had one pattern in mind, but once I had the blocks in hand, changed to a different pattern. Went together easily enough. Actually ended up doing 2 tops. 6 yr old DGD helped with the lay out on the second one, and that is the one I finished and submitted. Drink your wine, and chill. After all of that, you deserve it.

[Sharyn J]

Judy, I swear this IQ Challenge was jinxed from the beginning, at least for me. I feel bad that you've run into so much trouble. Seems like when it rains it pours! I'll have a glass of wine for you.

I set my "Lovely" stuff aside and decided not to stress myself. I didn't have all my fabrics until middle of October and you were kind enough to help me locate the border fabric I needed! Once I discovered that every single charm pack was a different size and some out of square as well, I knew that I didn't have the time to meet the deadline with too many Christmas projects needing to be completed. I'm still working on finishing those projects so I guess I'm glad I decided not to participate. I'll use the fabrics at a later date when I have the time. I wish the IQ Challenge had been earlier in the year but I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's entries and hope you'll post your blocks too.