Sunday, March 18, 2012

defeat by triangles and granny therapy

This weekend I got completely defeated by my triangle project. It was a total, 100% fiasco. Yuck!!! I spent hours getting my triangles in the right places and I really, really loved the way it looked on my design wall.


I loved everything about it, the colors, the shapes, all solids, and just the whole look of this project. Then the reality hit. Sewing all these small triangles together with no cut off and nicely lined up points proved to be more than I could possibly manage for right now.

I first tried to sew each row of triangles as I went and then connect the rows, but since the triangles are pretty small (2.5" high), and my seam allowances were not EXACTLY the same, they were not lining up perfectly.


Then I tried using interfacing as a stabilizer and sewing triangles together like that. What  I did not realize, however, is that triangles don't work the way squares do (DAH!!!!) and it all turned out crooked and none of the seams lined up.


It took two more unsuccessful different methods of trying to line up these crazy triangles before I finally gave up. I stuck them all in a plastic bag and shoved it into the storage area. I knew that if they stayed on my design wall I would have been spending even more time trying to figure it all out - there is still hand stitching I did not try, it just was not worth it anymore. I have other projects I want to work on, so this one will be counted as a complete failure and waste of time for now. And, I'm OK with that, I'm moving on!!!

To make myself feel better, I had some "granny square therapy" last night.


I made a pillow cover using some of the leftover blocks from my scrappy granny square quilt and I paired them with some gorgeous Essex linen in grey.


I used this adorable donkeys in wellington boots fabric by Laurie Wisbrun for the back and I bound it using Dr. Seuss' black and white striped fabric.

Happily, the triangle fiasco was almost forgotten by the time I was done with this pillow - granny square therapy clearly worked.

To top it off, our unusually warm weather is still here - normal temperatures for this time of year are in the 40s, we keep getting into the 80s every day!!!! How crazy is that? We have winter boots lined up next to our flip flops, and we went from wearing winter coats to tank tops in just a day or two.  So, I'm off to enjoy this heat wave, who knows what tomorrow's weather will be like.

Enjoy your Sunday, Svetlana.

18 comments:

  1. Aww, man! Sorry about the rebellious triangles, but glad you were able to get your granny on and forget them.

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  2. Oh I loved the anoying little triangles - Did you iron them onto the iRon on interfacing and stitch, then snip the seams " Elizabeth heartman style" - it might be worth a try?

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  3. Awww, too bad the triangles didn't work out (for now!). They did look super cute on the design wall. But you've redeemed yourself with that wide cushion, I love it!!

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  4. enjoy the warm weather. it snowed at my house last night! love the granny squares sorry about the triangle fiasco!!! what a bummer!

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  5. I really love that pillow! The back fabric is adorable...I am such a copycat and have it on my most wanted list now.

    The weather here has been fantastic too. Old Navy had a flip flop sale so we are all sporting matching shoes this weekend...my kids are still young enough to think that's cool.

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  6. What a bummer about the triangles. You could ragged edge applique them perhaps???

    Hasn't the weather been amazing!! My gardens are in full bloom already...My friend told me the Orange City Tulip Festival we will be going to in May, will mostly likely be the Stem Festival instead. That will be sad, but I still love this 80 degree weather. =)

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  7. Sorry about the defeat :(
    The cushion looks great and that fabric is hilarious!

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  8. I love the design with your triangles, but I have never tried sewing triangles like that so have no good suggestions except to say that if you like handsewing maybe it is such a project? I love your pillows!

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  9. Oh, bummer! They are so darn charming on the design wall. Naughty triangles! But, you obviously won the war with the cushion. You are a sewing winner =)

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  10. That is a huge undertaking, to sew all those triangles! I am sure you can do it though. I love love love your granny square pillow :)

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  11. Love the triangles. Sorry to hear about their demise :( I find the first way works best for me. If you are totally sick of them you could send them to my house ;) the pillow and the donkeys are both great though. Those boots make me laugh!

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  12. hate when that happens. good for you for moving on & doing something you had fun with....

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  13. the granny square pillow looks wonderful, I'm tempted to make one for myself, too.
    'Though I don't like frustrating moments like your's I am a little relieved that it's not only me who fails from time to time. I'm sad for you that your project has to be tucked away. Maybe you'll get some nice tips here or there to complete it.

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  14. Oh don't leave those triangles - they are so fantastic! As 'Hitch and Thread' said, they are welcome here, too, if you don't want to see them! But you can do it and it will be amazing!
    I love also your granny pillow with donkeys! So beautiful and cute!

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  15. Oh man, I hate it for you, because those triangles look so awesome all lined up! Good for you on moving on to something else. We all have those great plans that don't quite work out like we thought they would. Hope you come up with a solution.

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  16. I hate when a project I've envisioned doesn't turn out. BUT i have to say, I kind of like the triangles all wonky like that. They look very improv/Gee's Bend-ish to me.

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  17. Shame about the triangles but glad to know I'm not the only one with that problem- I have a stack of triangles from another project but got frustrated trying to match the seams so gave up. Diamonds don't like me either! I live in Australia but would be happy to pass them on if anyone is interested.

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  18. Sorry about the triangles, but the pillow is fabulous!

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