How far I have come!

I am starting my New Year's goal early: 

 I have been a quilter for decades.  I purchased my first book at Quilts Plus in Indianapolis in 1978. I purchased my Bernina in 1985 that I still LOVE. I made baby quilts and wall hangings when I had the time. I did take classes and join a guild.  Oh, and the rotary cutter was invented.

Fast forward a few years:

Once upon a time I tackled 2 difficult quilts: an ocean waves is still in a bag from 1990, but that is for another foray into WIPs. The second is a variation of a log cabin by Judy Martin from sometime after 2007 when the book was first published. So I started it about then. Yes, the one on the cover. OK, I was a little ambitious.  By the way, the book is still available for 28 dollars. 

                                         

I chose rich fall fabrics with an accent of brown. And I made the blocks and started the border. 

       

Looks amazing, right?

So here is the issue:   2 sample blocks of the 56 of them

                            

And what backs: threads everywhere, oh, my!

And here lies the issue. I was not exactly a precise quilter. Oh no! straight seams, sort of.

In other words, my blocks are not square and are at least 1/4 inch too small.  Some are worse off than others. I guess I slowly improved. 

Now, I will say the pattern  in the book was wonderful. Super directions, nice illustrations, and cutlery trays to organize the many sized strips.   IF ONLY I COULD FIND IT NOW!

Back to my educational progress in the area of quilting.  I am a much better quilter. ( most of the time) 

And I am determined to redo these blocks and finish this quilt in the New Year as one of my goals.   Over 365 days to finish,  !!!!!!!!

SO, I am resewing seams, frogging sections, replacing pieces, and generally having a great time. Realizing that from my years of sewing, practice, friends, and piles of projects, I have become a much better quilter.  That scant quarter inch seam really does make a difference!

Each block is taking a minimum of an hour or more,  to correct for a much better, squarer block. I did undo one complete block and carefully lay it out and reassemble.  But although the block was well done, it was not worth all that work.  It was just one block, after all.  

If you happen to have the book, I would surely love a copy of the pages of Snake River for completing it.   But I might, maybe, be able to figure it out?   Compensation given, of course. 

So after 3 days of working on it off and on, I have 10 blocks done. 

So send positive vibes.  Before I get overworked. Please!