The most evil sewing tool.

Seam ripper of course.

First. I want to say thank you to everyone who commented on my Paris bag. I will do a tutorial on the next one for those of you interested. I LOVE your comments because it helps me feel connected to adults who care about the things that interest me. I NEED that connection this week as I'm PMSing during my PTSing (Pre-Travel-Stressing). I'm writing this group thanks because I won't be sending my usual, more personal messages, which I very much enjoy. No, I will be spending my ever shortening life span with my seam ripper.

First mistake:  Signing up at the beginning of the school year for the seemingly benign class quilt project. OK, this isn't really a mistake since it's using blocks the kids decorate to make a quilt for a child born addicted to drugs or who's parents are in a substance abuse program. Great cause and a thoughtful endeavor. But, I didn't know it would just appear one day - yesterday to be exact. Fabric, batting and the kid's decorated blocks plus instructions and ample time to complete it over the next three weeks ... two and a half of which I am traveling or obligated. So I decided to just jump in and do it by Friday. Good so far.

Second mistake:  Working on said quilt after my kids have come home from school.

Cut fabric last night, then stitched and ironed all morning and by 2 PM I had finished the top, including borders, joined the "sandwich" and was ready for quilting. It looked perfect. Six hours of careful work showed. Should have put it away. Woulda coulda shoulda. Top stitched the edges. Looked OK. Then it went to hell.

I've only finished a couple of quilts and those all used flat, high-quality cotton batting (only requiring 10" between quilt lines). Those were also the type you quilt first, then bind, so excess "air space" gets shifted off the sides as you work. This project uses the "quilt in a day" sew around then flip method (much like a bag actually). This project uses cheap, high-loft poly batting that can only allow 3-4" between lines. This project ate me up and spit me out.

To put it simply, I screwed it up so badly I would have thrown it away if it had been my project. Really truly - strait to the trash. Instead, I've hosed the original artwork of every child in Rachel's class and raw material that wasn't mine to ruin. So I'm ripping. At least six straight and diagonal rows give or take. Basically, the backing fabric was getting awful, 2 and 3 inch overlaps that didn't show on the top. Technical and human errors. Tension kept going wonky (which means I have some microscopic seams to pick) and I simply didn't do it right. No excuse for that as I have books. Why didn't I see it sooner? Well, my DD was pulling one of her homework dramas and the other was amusing herself with a good game of "How can I pester my already melting sister?" Probably shouldn't have jumped in and quilted during that ... whatya think?  Shouldn't have gotten into "I can finish this today! It will only suck up one of my I-must-get-myself-and-my-children-on-a plane-next-Weds-and-myself-ready-for-NY/Rhinebeck-days!" mode. Woulda coulda...

Oh well, back to the seam ripper. If you've read this far, thanks. No comments required. I've used all the good filthy words already! Really just ranting here. Kids are in bed and I feel a little more centered. Will rip tonight until my eyes cross, but I WILL NOT attempt a fix until the light of day tomorrow. I've learned.

Comments

[Jan]

I have.been.there.!! My profound condolences.
At least you have visions of Rhinebeck to console yourself.

[Ronni]

Have you considered tieing the quilts?
Use embroidery floss and it goes quickly with those quilts already bound.
Love the Paris bag and your blog.
Good Luck!

[Norma]

Ohhhh, that sounds F-R-U-S-T-R-A-T-I-N-G!

[Anne-Caroline]

I know nothing about quilting, but I am hoping that your perfectionism is coming out again, and that it's not as bad as you say. Plus, little kids won't notice little imperfections, right?

Good luck with it, though!

[melissa]

i feel your pain! i can't even tell you how many sleeves i had sewn in backwards, ripped out and then repeated sewing them in backwards. sometimes the hardest thing is to know when to stop!

[Julia]

First, I love that Paris bag and would be ever so happy for a tutorial.

Second - waaaa! The only good thing I can say about the quilt is that when it is finally over it will be beautiful - I know it.

No need to reply - I know that you're out there and appreciate the comments!

xox

[Kathy]

I am completely with Julia on this one.
1. I love the bag and definitely would love a tutorial!
2. ARGH!!! Make sure you take plenty of pictures to remind your children as they age why you should be nominated for sainthood.
3. No need to reply here either - just post pics of that dastardly quilt once it's done!!

:)

[Other Julia]

I have never made a quilt but am intimately familiar with the seam ripper. If you think it's an evil tool, think what your task would be like without it. I believe my seam ripper gets used more than my ginghers. I think if I lose it, I will just have to quit sewing. The bag is really adorable.

[Moni]

Sometimes you just gotta rant, and the blog is a great place to do that, I've found :).

[Risa]

I wish you godspeed ripping. Ugh. What a pain.

[Gina]

Well I inderstand that... A certain seam ripper became my best friend a few years back when I was sewing for the kids all the time...

I defintately would love a tutorial! I have a great sewing machine at home but I am not that good of a seamstress!!! I just can't do that right any longer.. lol

[Celia]

Ah, the dreaded seam ripper. The very reason I prefer to knit and frog or tink. Good luck! I know it will turn out lovely in the end.

[Katherine]

In our house, we are well-acquainted with the seam ripper...it even has a name, Jack the Ripper. I loved your Paris bag! I'm sure the quilting problems will pass. I always screw up quilting no matter what. I was glad to get into knitting because it's so much easier to undo your work!

[shawn b]

honey you rant all you want! Kids will drive you batty along with ourselves pushing our own buttons with stress. you do way too much. i can only aspire to be you!

[Laura]

Years ago a friend and I invented the Mother Trophy. It was a virtual prize that passed from her house to mine, weekly,if not more often. Trip to the fabric store at the 11th hour the night before the Halloween parade? Check. Staying up way past one's bedtime to pick up 9th grade thespian at their first-ever cast party? Check. And so on. Note how the trophy goes hand in hand with unrealistic deadlines and sleep deprivation. Anyway,it is all yours this week,without a doubt!

[Mary]

For every perfect project (LOVE the bag!!!) there must be a project that kicks your ass. Cosmic balance and all that. You would think, though, that since roughly twice the number of my projects go bad than go good, others would have better luck...Chin up - it will be done soon!!

[juliet]

Yikes, you poor woman. A large glass of something and then put the quilt in a bag to show it the error of its ways until you get back. I have some patchwork that needs finishing but I have to play "hunt the blocks" around the house as people KEEP MOVING STUFF (can you hear the cry of pain there?), I need 64 blocks, I think I may have 63......

Enjoy your trip, do not think quilt, do not think quilt, do not...

[Kim]

Oh dear.....days like that are never fun. Why is it that we do not quit when we know we should? I did something very similar last week with River.

I would love to see your tutorial ;-)

Keep smiling!