The Island Batik Ambassador’s Challenge for July is “Pattern Play, Secondary Pattern”. I chose a simple design using BlockBuster 18 A Popped V pattern from Deb Tucker which uses Studio 180 Design V Block & Corner Pop tool and the Side Kick High/Low technique sheet.
Last year I made four Popped V blocks and loved the secondary pattern that came from putting together the blocks. Notice the nice sharp points?
I love my bright orange & green Island Batik fabrics. But, this time my blocks looked a little different…there’s a story there! I don’t know about you, but when I’m at a quilting retreat with my quilting buddies I’m usually talking way too much and that’s how mistakes are made! My in-attention to detail led me down the primrose path of error!
I was organizing my fabrics, I decided to make twelve 12″ blocks. When making a quilt block, we refer to Finished & Cut size units. The Finished size is the what the unit measures after it is sewn into the block, the Cut Size measurement is the size of the unit before it is sewn into the block. The Cut Size is what size you trim the unit to before sewing it into the block.
Checking the size chart in my V block instructions, I needed to cut 5″ strips to make 4″ finished V Block units. So far no problem. I pop off the corners of my V Block units with my Corner Pop tool and replace the corners with my beautiful orange Island Batik. I popped off the corners of the center squares and continue on.
Here was my downfall, I had not cut the starter strips for the Sidekick units. Instead of checking the technique sheet, I grabbed the Blockbuster pattern and looked at the “Cut Size” of 4 1/2″! Drat!!!! I cut all the background squares smaller than they needed to be. I continued to trim the squares for the replacement side triangles. I stitched the side triangles to squares, thinking “this doesn’t look right”, but I still kept yapping away, going down the primrose path of error.
Needless to say my sidekicks lost their points! That makes me “Pointless”, something I try to avoid at all costs! I did not have enough fabric to make new sidekick units. My secondary design has dull points, but it is a lesson learned to pay attention!
The moral of this story is, when you find yourself wandering through “A Field of Popped V’s”, don’t end up pointless!
These beautiful fabrics are all from Island Batik and stitched with Aurifil thread. Quilt measures 45″ x 57″.
#islandbatik #aurifilthread #Debtucker #studio180design #VBlocks #CornerPop #Quiltersdreambatting
Jackie, I love your quilt and your story. As one of those who helped you along that primrose path, I really thought we had convinced you not to fess up. However, your point in making it a teaching moment is right on. Great work, Teach!
LikeLike
Much love to you my friend!
LikeLike
How lovely. Some seeks to have same items, which we have in Finland.
Happy weekend.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome. Visit my site, if You have time. 🙂
LikeLike
I wouldn’t be able to find the mistake, the quilt looks fantastic to me!
LikeLike
Thank you, the picture softens the effect. It is very visible in person. But, if you didn’t know the block you would realize it there was a mistake.
LikeLike
I love both versions!!!!
LikeLike
Thanks Debbie
LikeLike
As long as the blocks are uniform, everyone will assume you intended for those sidekick triangles to be blunted. I’d say it’s “pointless” to draw attention to one’s mistakes, but A) it would be a cheesy joke, and B) we all do it anyway. Love the quilt!
LikeLike
Thanks, I intended it to be a learning moment about finished size and cut size.
LikeLike
Love the story almost as much as I love your quilt. You’ve photographed it beautifully, too!
LikeLike
Thank you Karen!
LikeLike