Wednesday 24 April 2013

One of Those Days

I suppose I should be all happy because I finished a project, and it was even on my FAL list. I should be smiling because I like it, for the most part.

Only me and my machine did not get along today. It culminated in said machine refusing to do a zigzag stitch through the thick layers when I was sewing the sides of the cushion together. I begged it. I implored. I insisted. I swore - a lot. It stubbornly refused. I even tried doing the stitch in reverse. Hey, try anything once!

By the time I had this cushion together all I could see were faults, not any of the good stuff.

As per usual,
I did not have a suitably sized insert to properly plump the cushion up.
I had planned all along that this hexie panel become a cushion. I wanted it to wrap round and not have a defined edge to either end of the panel by cutting it off into a seam. I hadn't planned on the scorch mark I gave it when I used a too hot iron on a well starched piece of cotton.

Nor did I plan the the quilting would push the hexies after they were appliquéd down so that they folded over themselves a bit on some of the edges, as seen below. That really annoyed me, but obviously not enough to pull out every last stitch and try again.


I did a simple envelope back because I was so pissed off by that point that the effort of putting in a zip seemed too much for my frayed nerves. Because it would have had to be an entirely invisible zip; as seen in previous cushions my long zips are all bright blue. So not appropriate for this cushion!


On a positive note - I love the effect of the quilting, the different angles, the darker grey Aurifil thread on the lighter grey linen. I love the colours. I like that most of my vision worked out. And I am particularly happy that it has now been through the wash, the scorch mark is gone and the cushion cover didn't disintegrate. So it's not all bad after all!

I have an idea what I want to do with it. I just have to be happy that it is good enough for purpose.

Susan

54 comments:

  1. We've all had those kind of days! In spite of it all though this bloomin' cushion looks very striking! Glad the scorch washed out. It's still a winner Susan!

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  2. I can see how you'd get frustrated, but you are being too hard on yourself! The pillow is beautiful and I see you pushed your boundaries with a muted color palette - good for you;)

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  3. Ach stop looking at it for a day or two and just listen to us - its absolutely gorgeous!

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  4. Well I have fallen for this. It is such a innovative designed cushion. Stop looking at the mistakes. Di x

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  5. I'm going to tell you what my sister always tells me when I start pointing out flaws, "Only YOU would notice that…"

    The cushion is beautiful but I know how hard and frustrating it can be when something had had been going perfectly turns out slightly less than. Call it character and try to enjoy it.

    That being said, thanks for showing us that even the most accomplished of quilters end up with small glitches. :-)

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  6. I think you'll look at this cushion in time to come (unless you're giving it away)and absolutely love it and see it for what it is - a beautiful cushion.

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  7. I think it's marvellous and that you should take heed of Sarah's advice! I love the way you've wrapped the hexies round the side of the cushion - very striking!

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  8. I swear there's been something in the air today that's made things go wrong! The cushion is a fabulous design and I love the quilting in different directions!

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  9. It's bloody gorgeous! Send it on over if it's annoying you that much ;)

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  10. I agree with everyone else - it's really awesome!

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  11. I'll be honest i don't like it. There i said it. In actual fact I must say, i LOVE it!!! There is no such thing as perfect, so stop beating yourself up about it, it's beautiful. x

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  12. if the purpose is sending it to me then it's absolutely perfect!

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  13. It's beautiful Susan! I bet you end up loving it once you've got over the frustration :)

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  14. Oh poor Susan, so many negative thoughts about this beautiful pillow. I would really love it!!!
    But of course I know, what you feel...

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  15. We're always our own worst critics. Your cushion looks fabulous.

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  16. I love it! It looks great, leave it for a while and you may come back and like it too!

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  17. It looks fantastic! Now back the frigg away from it and get a glass of vino! x

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  18. I totally understand your frustrations but I have to say that's it's totally flippin gorgeous and the frustrations will fade very quickly.

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  19. It'll be like childbirth- you'll only remember all the great things about it in days to come! It's well worth it and you should be very proud of it!

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  20. It's done! It's beautiful! In fact it's flippin awesome, nuff said, stop whittling!

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  21. What does it matter that you see its imperfections as it is coming to me and I love it. It is beautiful - we are always our own worst critics, your adoring fans love it :)

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  22. I've had one of those days, too. Everything I have touched has gone tits up! But you really are nit picking, it is far too lovely not to use for your intended purpose. And if that purpose is sending it to me? Well, yahoo! Worth a try, right? *g*

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  23. It looks near perfect to me and I also love the effect of your quilting at different angles - very creative.

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  24. Pants....the struggle you had, not the cushion, which I love! I too am often scorching things with my iron, I never learn!

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  25. nonetheless your cushion is gorgeous - sitting on a couch or a chair you won't notice the scorch marks or the folds - indeed, if it's like what happens at my house, 'people stains' and 'people creases' happen to all my cushions in about 10 minutes flat

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  26. Oh dear I do see what you mean... How disappointing and I really think you will only feel better after sending it away to the further east possible place from you. So either Perth or NZ are fabulous options.
    You have my address right?
    Only trying to help of course, just as good friends do. ;)

    In other words quit your nit picking woman, it is darn right beautiful!
    Luff it

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  27. It's beautiful! Stop being such a perfectionist! Jxo

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  28. Its lovely. You're just seeing all the flaws because of the grief your machine gave you.

    It's perfectly fabulous for sending to someone who will adore it or laying round on your couch.

    You worry too much !

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  29. Stunning!! Everybody notices the flaws in their own work, and I see no flaws in this it's totally wow!! :)

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  30. It's a bummer when things go wrong and spoil a project for you. But it looks gorgeous, and no-one will see the faults!

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  31. I second what Kelly said!!!!!!
    I'm going to add, you're nuts, it looks fabulous.

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  32. I think it looks really beautiful Susan!

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  33. If the scorch mark is gone then it is great. No one but you will ever notice the bits on the edges of the hexies. Your quilting and your plan and the back are all excellent, I call it a huge success! And a finish too!

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  34. Love the colors, and the quilting IS wonderful! There must be something in the atmosphere, YOU aren't the only one unhappy with a project.

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  35. it all comes out in the wash...I guess the saying is true!

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  36. I agree with everyone else -- it looks great, flaws and all (of course I can't see the flaws, but that's just me).

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  37. Well I think it's a beautiful cushion despite the mishaps, which you would never know about anyway unless you told us!!

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  38. I love it too, and there's no shame in an envelope back!

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  39. It is tough when you put a lot of effort into something and are not happy with the final result. Listen to your readers though it is lovely and those flaws you can see they are part of life's learning curve :)

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  40. I love it! The colors in the hexes look wonderful together!

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  41. It looks great to me....not as great as the fishies sitting on my couch, but great none the less.

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  42. i think it looks great! i love the colors and the quilting.

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  43. You've probably come out of the red mist now :-) and can see what we all see - an absolutely beautiful cushion! Love the wrap around and the quilting rocks!

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  44. Wow,I think you are being way too hard on yourself! It looks absolutely fantastic

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  45. I know I'm late replying, but I have to add my opinion to that of all the others: Your cushion is wonderful, I love the colours, the quilted stripes, the wrap around, the linen, the front, the back... I suppose you're getting the message by now: you'll just have to make more for all of us, we all WANT one!!! ;-)

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  46. It's really lovely - honestly! Don't be so hard on yourself, it looks great :o)

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  47. It'll grow on you! I have the same problem when I finish things - I had about 3 quilts straight do that fold thing on me WTF?!

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  48. I think, that instead of kicking yourself, you should be patting yourself on the back! Even though you found this project a pain in the rump and some things going south on you, you persevered and that my friend is a great lesson for 2 other sewists under you roof ;)
    By the way...if the pillow annoys you that much I'll gladly offer it a new home. You know, just so you won't have it mocking you!

    xx

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  49. I think it's a beautiful cushion Susan, I'm sure you will realise it soon too.x

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