It's not you, it's me

I don't remember ever spending this much time on one quilt project.  I knew I was going on a retreat in January, so I cut and pieced pinwheels starting in December to make this awesome quilt, Woven in Pinwheels, designed by Gerri Robinson of Planted Seed Designs.   This is my first time using one of her patterns, but it won't be the last.  The instructions are clear and the diagrams couldn't be better.  I also like her style of designs - lots and lots of pieces but pretty simple components.

I made some epic mistakes with this quilt.  The major one was taking it on retreat and sewing merrily along while gabbing with my friends, not really keeping a close watch on my 1/4 inch seam.  I got home to find that most of the star blocks I assembled were not the right size due to me not using enough of a seam allowance.  I really only had 9 blocks that needed to be remade, so I set them aside and created 9 new star blocks when I got home.

Then somehow, while putting the stars together in vertical rows, I discovered another 9 that did not fit together.  They should have measured 8-1/2 inches and most were 8-1/2 inches in one direction but only 8-1/4 inches in the other direction.  So I'm getting the vertical rows together, remaking the last row of star blocks and finally pretty close to finishing this one.

I hope you won't let my foibles discourage you from trying this pattern.   It is a beautiful and a very clever design and I have enjoyed the process, even though it has taken me much longer than a quilt  project ever should!  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel... I just hope it's not a train!

I'm making Woven in Pinwheels quilt with French General's Chateau Rouge fabrics.  It only takes a fat eighth bundle and some background.  Lucky for me that I bought a fat quarter bundle.   I've used much more than a fat eighth with all the blocks I've remade.  But hey - I have 18 star blocks that I can use for the back of the quilt.... if I can get THEM to fit together!