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Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Ugly Is As Ugly Does! ((Or Death By Cheetos ---))

If you read my frustrated post from THIS AFTERNOON ---You will already KNOW what kind of defeated mood I found myself in.

And because of this fiasco -- my whole plan to show more MQX photos today went OUT THE WINDOW. Which is where this quilt back should have gone too --- just sayin'!

Tomorrow. I'll do more pics tomorrow.

How could ONE PERSON mess up on a quilt back when she had 10 yards of fabric to work with?

I’ll tell you how….

You measure and cut and piece the backing ……using the measurement across the TOP of the quilt….not down the SIDE….that’s how!

And it wouldn’t have been a problem except that this fabric is not only directional like a stripe, but directional as it can’t go sideways, and it can’t go UPSIDE DOWN either, because it’s buildings and cafĂ©’s and little street scenes.

So OUT comes the trusty Orphan Box.

The search began for something I had “enough of” to go all the way across the quilt from side to side, therefore adding to the LENGTH of the backing.

AHA! There are some REALLY hideous giant 4 patches on point that were a failed way-laid leader/ender project, and I know they haven’t seen the light of day for at least 5 years – this was way before we moved to NC!

I could alternate these with SOMETHING, but it had to be something that stood out against that Paris fabric….and you know what?

There was this ONE PIECE. The only one I liked color-wise…and it was in the “Use for charity” bin --- I loved the colors in it, it picked up the red in the Paris fabric ---I loved the pattern, it’s a very cool print – but I HATE THE FEEL of this fabric!

I’ve washed it, ironed it – it still feels stiff and yucky. No matter – it’s getting used, and will be GONE. ((I think it came from Joann’s – how’s that for a confession! I’ve bought good feeling stuff there, but this was not one of them – so go by the feel and don’t trust that something is going to soften in the wash.))

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Being in a green kind of mood…I pulled out my Singer 185J “Mean Judy Green.” She is a 3/4 sized machine and was born in 1954 ---I wanted to try the ecolux light on her --- and I know it’s really important to run machines every once in a while to keep them from locking up. I oiled her, cleaned her a bit, and set her to going….Sewing 4 patches on point to the red colored “stiffy” squares! LOL! Oh, do you see that MILLENIUM fabric front and center? Someone give me a high-five – it’s now USED!

*Note* I've been asked how I sew on different machines, and it's simple if you be sure to test and match your seam width with every different machine you switch to. If you have one machine that gives you a baseline -- you can use tape or a seam guide in order to keep a consistent seam allowance from seam to seam and machine to machine -- but TEST -- never trust a 1/4" foot to do the job for you, they are all too different.

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This is an aerial view of Judy…and how I’ve been able to move the sew adjustable table by Sewing Mates to fit her base. She can’t come out of her base because she sits lopsided without it --- poor old girl! But I am loving how this table changes around to fit everything I’ve got!

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Plenty of light, plenty of space…plenty of ugly UFO parts….Oy! What am I getting myself into?

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I did a double row like this…and a single row. I think there are only 3 left-over 4 patches on point…..red fabric ALSO gone…that’s score 2 for me! But you know what? even at this point the backing is still 4” too short. (*&@#($*&(*&!

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So here’s where things get REALLY ugly..LOL I had left over 9-patch type strip sets from Florabunda’s border. Yellow, Print, Yellow.

I had left over strip sets print/white/print in the orphan bin that someone had sent me and they’d never been used…..I decided to sub-cut everything at 2” ((Yes, I remembered to double-check that I was using the 2” die for the Accuquilt Studio!)) and set to making a checkerboard border.

Only – it doesn’t look any better…LOL!

I think it would have been FINE to have the buildings sideways at this point!

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But here you go.

Paris Street Scene Fabric? GONE!

4 patch on point blocks? GONE!

Stiffy red horrid feeling fabric? GONE!

Leftover checker-board type strip-sets? GONE!

Also gone?

One 2 liter bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper

One medium bag of Cheetos ---

Yes, it was that kind of day ----and the quilt is still not on the frame, and it’s probably the ugliest backing ever, but it’s DONE!

And Mean Judy Green was just a CHAMP! She was made in Canada, and this model was made to replace the old black Singer 99’s. I found this YouTube video of an old commercial for the Singer 185. It was considered the Young Budget Machine. You could buy it on the Budget Plan for $119.50 ($12 down and $1.25 per week). This ad is too cute not to watch….Enoy!

What a hoot! I love how the hubby is inspecting the dress after she looks like she says “PUT DOWN THAT (*&@#$(*& Freaking Newspaper and pay attention! LOL!

73 comments:

  1. That's the BACK?? Pretty cool for a back! Even with the not-so-wonderful Paris fabric (how could that be back anyway??)...

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  2. Looks good to me, it is the back side of the quilt and you have utilized "stuff" that was in your stash.
    Onwards and upwards to the quilting machine.

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  3. I like it! And I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one making cutting errors.

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  4. Hi Bonnie, loved the whole post....it could have been me! I've have days like that too.
    Btw..that cute Singer looks just like my first machine that I paid for at the rate of about $5/month....yes I AM old!

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  5. Bonnie, I love your blog and even though I don't read or post EVERYDAY, I do catch up. This is one of your best posts. I love it when you talk about your quilting boo-boos and fixes, lol.
    Absolutely loved the video you found for the Singer too!

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  6. I have a couple of quilts that have been temporarily abandoned due to mis-measuring for backing. I am now inspired to go fix them! And I love how everything in the Singer ad was smart, smart new clothes, smart curtains, etc. Cracked me up a bit and the way she danced around, ha! Thanks for the smile today..

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  7. Let's face it, we all screw up. However, it's sort of nice to see it's not just me who makes mistakes! I have a feeling you'll fix it all up in the end and it will come out just fine!

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  8. You forgot to add this to the USED list! Bonnie said "Oh, do you see that MILLENIUM fabric front and center? Someone give me a high-five – it’s now USED!" It really isn't so bad. Have you heard the new Cheetos commercials? Listen for them...too funny! Love the Singer commercial; started to get dizzy watching how she danced around the room. Such glamour back in the day, my MOM always said. Your guests will have very special dreams under this quilt with it's "Stiffy red horrid feeling fabric" Bonnie said! Sandi

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  9. Ironically I think the 4patch ob point blocks with the solid squares is my favorite part of the whole thing! I will be fixing a backing issue myself this evening,,, my long armer and I had a misunderstanding and she put the back on a quilt sideways which made the band of signature squares that was supposed to run the length of the back go sideways and some of them got cut off! I will have to appliqué them on and hope it looks like I meant to put them there!

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  10. Bonnie, you got lemons so you made lemonade!!! Good job! I like the back LOL

    Lori in VA

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  11. The back is a little patchy, but it uses a lot of random stuff and each part is great. It is just a back that didn't become more than a sum of the parts. I wish mine would look that good, If I start piecing they always look bad - make that horrible.

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  12. I love the back....I thought I was the only one who made lots of boo-boos!!! Looks good to me!!

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  13. I have that same pink stiffy fabric in my stash! I'm not sure where it came from or why it is there, but somehow it ended up in the 2.5 inch square drawer. Every so often I pull one out and think about whether to use it or just sneak it into the trash bin. Glad you found a way to use yours up. Backs are always such a fun way to "get rid" of fabric.

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  14. I love the singer ad! So precious! Thanks for sharing this.

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  15. Well, the back used up lots of fabrics and is certainly colorful--both positives! : )
    That ad is a HOOT! I'm feeling an uncontrollable urge to put on a full skirt (don't think I own one) and waltz through my house! *LOL*

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  16. Great job using up all those left overs! And it looks wonderful to boot!!

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  17. Awwww, I like the back! I didn't like the Paris fabric alone, now the blocks add some colorful accents and pulls it together. Well done!

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  18. Oh your green Singer is beautiful! I have two Singers myself but none are that old. I'd kinda like to get an older one just for their beauty.

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  19. Sometimes a bag of cheese puffies will cure anything.... Hugs!

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  20. Just think of the fun and conversation that will be had 50 years from now over that backing! What a hoot!!!

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  21. Glad it is done and since it will be on the back it won't be seen too much except when you take it to trunk shows... What a story this quilt will tell. I hope you are putting part of the story on your quilt label. Aren't you glad you got to stay home and spend all day doing this? Some days just belong to "Murphy".

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  22. I love the 185J! That is what I learned to sew on and I picked one up on ebay a while back because it has such great memories for me. BTW -- nobody would care about the upside down or sideways houses except you!

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  23. Whoa that is freaky! I just watched that video last night! Right before Singer Playhouse or whatever it's called with a very young Joanne Woodward and Dick Powell! Funny!!
    Great job on that backing, though and Cheetos, yummmmm!

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  24. Thanks for a great post. I loved how you saved that quilt back. Way to go! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. Got a whole back put together and {mostly} quilted somehow before I realized it was about 2 inches too short on **one corner**. Don't have a clue how I did that, except that it was about 1 am. I Decided to patch it, and you know, it doesn't look half bad.

    Loved the Singer commercial. Doesn't everyone dance through ther house like that? I wonder if you had to be a ballerina to use a sewing machine back in the day? I have a Singer 99K that was my mom's - it's honestly older than I am. Love it though - it's my go-to machine when I'm trying to do something my Pfaff just won't sew through. I think that baby would sew through concrete.

    Congratulations on a great finish. Hope tomorrow is a better day for you. I think I'll go see if I can find a bag of Cheetos...

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  25. Great solution to your problem. It looks awesome!

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  26. Bonnie, you are too hard on yourself!! I LOVE the back! You have done a wonderful job! Give yourself a pat on the back for all that "busting"!! :-)

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  27. The back looks great. That sewing machine add is wonderful! They really liked "smart" and "young"!

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  28. Anonymous10:06 PM EDT

    I am so sorry, ;) but that is the ugliest quilt top or back I have ever seen - so sorry.

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  29. Oh, dear. I'm so sorry the back didn't work out like you originally planned. I watched the cute little video and wondered how much the Singer would cost these days. I checked the inflation calculator and learned that 1954's $119.50 would equal $958.06 in 2010. That's some expensive machine you own, Bonnie.

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  30. I'm so sorry that you had a frustrating as heck day, my friend! We all have them. But, you made yours productive in the end, the back is not so bad (I like the four patch and red squares a lot) and you only finished off one bag of cheetos....you could have attacked some chocolate and ice cream, too!

    Alls well that ends well!

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  31. The quilt back looks good - it has that "Bonnie" trademark look. The video was great too! The decor and fashions brought back vague memories from my childhood.

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  32. omg. that Video! Had to share it on f/b. (and about that quilt,,, my mom, 81, always says, "Some days are diamonds, others are stones." I can see a personInNeed snuggling beneath it, feeling gratitude for its warmth; quietly blessing its maker.)

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  33. I really like the back! So much more interesting than just the apt/cafe fabric by itself. EVerything works well together--what a good choice you made.

    The Singer ad was a real hoot!

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  34. Bonnie, that back wouldn't even be in the Top Ten ugliest backs that I've come up with over the years! I like "quilts with stories" and that back will carry its story with it for many years to come!

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  35. I loved that the catch phrase back then was "smart" - today I think it seems to be "stunning" because it's hard to find a description of a quilt in a magazine today without that word popping up! LOL!!!

    Your back is fine, and much more interesting than if it had just been the one fabric! :*)

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  36. That ad is histerical, did you dance around when you found her??

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  37. I like your back art. It is great. The sewing machine is lovely too.

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  38. I think it's funny you called your machine "mean Judy green".
    I used to call my Dad "mean Gene". :)
    Judy

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  39. Anonymous12:27 AM EDT

    I like it.. it is truly a Bonnie original.. made it so much more interesting

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  40. The back looks great! I love the double row of 4-patch on point and the way you split up the Paris fabric with the 3 pieced rows. I need to make a backing wider...and I always dread it but you've given me a few ideas. And as always I'm impressed with how fast you sew and how much you get done. My mom cleaned out her stash this past summer and I got a piece of scenic fabric that I thought I'd cut into 1.5 or 2" strips but now I think I will use it for a backing on a future quilt.

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  41. Yeah, ok, so it is ugly. I will say it! But you know, my husband's gramma made a super ugly quilt for us for our wedding 17 years ago, and we love it anyway (note: *she* did not think it was ugly). It reminds us of her and her crazy sewing and makes us laugh. So, I would pick an ugly, memorable quilt over a perfect quilt any day!!

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  42. Isn't it marvellous how we all "see" things differently. I LIKE this back. For me, the addition of the 2" squares panel enhances the whole thing, so I'm glad for this quilt that the backing was still too short. I have to confess that I am not overkeen on some of your really scrappy backs, and much prefer the structured scrappy look of this one. Marvellous that we are all so different. Margaret

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  43. Anonymous3:18 AM EDT

    Well.....

    if you REALLY don't like the back of your quilt, I'd happily re-home it for you

    your posts are always honest and inspiring

    think the back looks GREAT, and more match-y to the top

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  45. I think it is ok, fine it is not pretty ;-)
    But you entertained a lot of people and made sure we won't make the same mistakes, thanks Bonnie !! have a better day today !

    by the way I finished pillows for charity yesterday, all childrens motives and when ironing them for the last time, a ugly brown bled out and I have to start all over, nothing left to save :-(

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  46. I can hear a string of jokes (like the Yo Mama jokes)....My quilt back's so ugly that the Paris street scene was a traffic jam....

    But only you, Bonnie, could come up with such a creative save!

    Seriously: I hope you had washed that red fabric prior to using it for the quilt. It looks as though it will bleed plenty, and you don't need that as another design element.

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    1. Or... your quilt back is soo ugly that the blocks are pointing the direction for the get-away...(although, I really do like the way it turned out...) sorry you had such a hard day working on it.

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  47. As a self-proclaimed "Bonnie Groupie", I think that the new backing is quite wonderful. The bright strips of pieced elements break up those large street scenes nicely. You always find a creative way to solve a quilting challenge and by showing us, you teach us!
    As for the 1950's commercial, it is over the top funny! The only thing better would be if the husband had been shown reading his newspaper while smoking.

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  48. ooh, cute commercial. but hey, i'm thinking i gotta have that fancy dressing table..to put the machine on of course!

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  49. I love the 'Beautiful Green Colour'!! LOL That is too funny!

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  50. Way to go, Bonnie!
    Always knew you would come up with something creative. that you used "left overs" to do it with makes the backing much more interesting than if you had gone with your original plan. This 'boo-boo' was a design opportunity in the making, just waiting for your special touch to make it much more than the sum of it's parts.

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  51. OMGosh ... that Singer ad was fun. Thanks for sharing!

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  52. I know that scratchy red fabric, only mine was green. May still have some floating around in my scraps. Think you did a nice save on the backing.

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  53. Thank you Bonnie for showing the world you quilting boo boo. I love how you were determined to finish the back and used all sorts of left overs and rejects to get it done. I like the finished product. It is interesting and makes me want to keep looking at it. If something was too perfect or boring, my old art teacher used to say "It died on the vine". Well your back is alive and thriving. Hugs.

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  54. I've seen quilts that had less piecing in front than your back! The quality I most admire in you is getting everything assembled so that the back doesn't look crooked, which is why I try to avoid pieced backs (at least flamboyantly pieced ones).

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  55. Bonnie, I can't wait for this quilt to be added to your trunk show. It will make a very engaging story!

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  56. Hope you didn't get any orange "cheetos dust" (from your fingers) on your fabrics! That would be the kind of thing I might do when I'm already having a BAD day! Glad to see you are human after all---making mistakes.
    LOVE your blog.

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  57. I was wondering how my husband would react if I started whirling and twirling around the house like that.....I already do the "put down that newspaper thing," but not as often as he does the, "can you stop sewing for a minute and pay attention" thing.

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  58. I like the back, it turned out fungly!

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  59. Anonymous12:31 PM EDT

    Thanks for sharing. It's nice to know that even the wonderful Bonnie gets frustrated and makes measuring boo boos like the rest of us. I don't think the back is ugly- I would call it interesting! And it looks much nicer than the last backing I had to "fix". The Singer commercial was a hoot. Could you imagine that showing on Super bowl Sunday???? Thanks for the giggle of the day. Awaiting the PDF instructions you promised- until they appear- I'm off to cut sashings for Mad City Momma. Joy in AK

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  60. I love how you made your backing fit the quilt. And you used up things from the stash. It doesn't get much better than that! Positively loved the Singer commercial! Thanks for sharing!

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  61. thanks for keeping it REAL! and that is one ugly back but a great save. my last quilt back had wedges, looked like a sew and flip gone bad. golden quilt award needs to add a new category...just saying. :>) this is the funniest story/blog post EVER. love it. thank you for making my day sparkle!

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  62. I sewed for years on a little brown 185K, not as pretty as your green machine but I loved her dearly. Eventually her belt broke and I've never been able to find another exactly the right size. I'll never throw her out, after we pieced so many quilts together, so she's just sitting on a shelf now.
    I love the way nothing stops you, and you got a good blog post out of it too! What a great feeling to tick off so many things in one backing, as we Aussies say "Goodonya!"

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  63. I love the back Bonnie! I would use it for a front anytime.

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  64. I have to say, I love the red fabric! It really sets off those blocks...I thought you were going to start making a whole other quilt! :-) I know what you mean about it being stiff, it's probably saturated with dye!

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  65. Anonymous2:19 PM EDT

    Bonnie ~ I am really impressed that you went beyond just a little back art. Although I do understand you were trying to make a lrg enough backing I really like your backing & think that now you have a reverseable quilt!! Love your back & love this post!Thanx for sharing!!
    Penny ~ Quiltingholliday@aol.com

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  66. Anonymous3:09 PM EDT

    I have one of these little green Singer wonders. DH picked it up at a yard sale for me one day for $10. It came with gobs of feet and attachments. Woo Hoo! Sews like a dream. Thanks for sharing this old commercial. Helps me realize what I have.

    Sherri in Phoenix
    shoquilts@gmail.com

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  67. Hi Bonnie, do you have the directions for making these blocks somewhere? I would love to make a quilt in this design to donate to our Aussie Hero Quilts (for Aussie soldiers serving in Afghanistan). Thanks.

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  68. I actually like the backing. That is pretty cool!

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  69. Well while it might not be the prettiest backing it still catches the eye.
    It's really not that bad.

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  70. Anonymous3:28 PM EDT

    I have a 185 that i got out of the trash. The spring for the sewing arm was broken so, off to the sewnvac I went and got a new spring. who would have thought that they had one. She runs very good and onlly has a crack in the light housing. Guess I better take her out and oil her up to see if she still sews. Linda

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