A couple of tips for those doing the FRIENDSHIP BLOCKS

**homesteadmamma** · 02-29-2004, 12:00 PM

Your finished block should measure 6 1/2 inches square. Here are a couple tips for those who haven't finished their blocks.

~when measuring the 7/8's, measure just over the 7/8's line. It will make it more accurate.
~when you've finished your "triangle squares", they should measure 2 1/2 inches square.
~when you've sewn your 3 strips, they should each measure 2 1/2 inches by 6 1/2 inches.

If you do the measuring before you sew all 3 strips together, you will then get an accurate 6 1/2 inch square.

Just a few tips to make these blocks easier for you to do and for the measuring to come out right.

**Heather** · 02-29-2004, 01:33 PM

Thanks!

**Michelle** · 02-29-2004, 02:37 PM

at what point does a person realize it's time to throw in the towel?

**homesteadmamma** · 02-29-2004, 03:15 PM

Chelle, my answer would be to that is when you've tried everything you can to make it right, including taking a course and its to a point where you no longer enjoy it, have become totally frustrated and dread even thinking of it, then its time to call it quits and move on to something else.

If I ever came to that point in anything I do, I would try something else. It doesn't mean you won't ever try it again, it just means your not happy doing what your doing right now. For instance, years ago, I tried crocheting. I could not for the life of me get it. I hated every minute of it and finally decided to let it go. It wasn't something I was going to be able to learn then. After years, I've picked it up again, and although its not the easiest thing I've done, I'm learning.

Don't get to a point where you hate it so bad, its giving you nightmares. Let it go and be content with the fact that you've tried and it just isn't right for you at this moment. Does that make sense?

**SewCrafty** · 02-29-2004, 03:21 PM

Yes it does CJ and I agree. I have decided to not have anything more to do with triangles in quilting. I am a good sewer, but for the life of me I can't get them to turn out right.

I wasn't happy with my blocks for the friendship swap at all and frankly a little embarrassed that I couldn't quite get them to square up no matter what I tried.

It isn't enjoyable at all for me, so I am sticking to log cabin and 9 patch type blocks from now on.

I say move on to something else Chelle, at least for the time being. I have found when sewing if I'm frustrated, I only mess it up more.

**homesteadmamma** · 02-29-2004, 03:33 PM

First let me say, this isn't the easiest block to make. I also have to say the measurements aren't the easiest to work with, so unless you get the cuts exactly right, you going to be off a bit in your block. You actually have to play with it a bit when it comes to the cutting and drawing of lines. Where quilters have the most problems is the cuts of "EIGHTHS". It doesn't matter how long one has been quilting, the "eighths" will give you nightmares.

Dee, kinda like some of the crocheting patterns, kwim. Some are accurate, others have missed sentences and others are even more complicated than they actually are. The first granny square was so confusing to read, but when I found another one, almost exactly the same, it was a whole lot easier to understand.

Please don't anyone feel embarrassed though because their blocks aren't quite squared up right. Thats what a friendship block is all about, you'll get all different sizes unless you do a very simple block, like the 9-patch and even then, it might not be squared for everyone. It just means once you get all your blocks, you'll have to do a bit of adjusting and possibly not sewing quite 1/4 inch seam allowances.

**SewCrafty** · 02-29-2004, 03:39 PM

CJ, I do know what you mean about patterns.

I was almost tempted to make a 3" square out of the triangles and then square it off to 2 1/2", but I was too far into them then.

**Michelle** · 02-29-2004, 04:05 PM

I really was just asking rhetorically. I do enjoy it, I want to be good at it. I just don't have the time to devote to *really* learning it. Dave works too many hours right now for me to fit in a class of any kind.

I am just frustrated today because I spent a few HOURS trying to make one block, and it was all misaligned and only 6" x 6 1/2". Now granted, my kids were in the room with me, and were taking me away from it every so often--but if I wait until they're not around to get some quilting in, I will never be quilting.

What makes this thing worse is that we need to make 10 of these blocks. This particular project, at least right now, is becoming more of a chore than something fun.

**homesteadmamma** · 02-29-2004, 05:55 PM

Here is another tip:

~when your drawing your lines to make your triangles as shown in the picture, your suppose to draw a 1/4 inch line. Thats the line you'll sew. Make those lines just under 1/4 inch. You need to allow for your pencil. If you do that, you'll find it works out much better.

~I also found it much easier if I cut my squares first and made them 2 7/8, made 2 of them instead of the 5 3/4 and then drew the lines on the squares once they were cut.

Chelle, I sure hope that somewhere down the line in making these blocks, it becomes a fun project for you. It sure was never meant to be a chore for anyone. btw - I was sure by your question you wanted to quit.

Also just to let you know, I'll have my blocks in the mail on Tues.

**Heather** · 02-29-2004, 05:57 PM

Ok, thanks! I'm headed upstairs after I print this out!

**SewCrafty** · 02-29-2004, 06:13 PM

Chelle hang on to my blocks when you get them, I may just try and redo them this week.

**Michelle** · 03-01-2004, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by SewCrafty
Chelle hang on to my blocks when you get them, I may just try and redo them this week.

Dee, I think your blocks came out great!

**Michelle** · 03-01-2004, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by homesteadmamma
Also just to let you know, I'll have my blocks in the mail on Tues.

ok

**SewCrafty** · 03-01-2004, 04:46 PM

Yeah but did you measure them? They are all off an 1/8" somewhere on them.

**homesteadmamma** · 03-01-2004, 05:18 PM

Dee, please don't re-do your blocks. The friendship blocks are special and you know what, it doesn't matter if they are off a bit. It just means adjusting when we get them and thats not a lot of work. I know for mine, I'm putting a small border around each, so if they are off a bit, it won't matter.

What matters is that these blocks are made in love and for friends. As I made mine, I thought of each of you and what you've all come to mean in my life. So please, don't feel you have to redo them okay.

Chelle, I'm taking pictures of mine tomorrow and then I'll mail them first thing Wed. morning.