Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Pioneer Braid NOT!

First of all thank you to all of you who commented on my last post about the little guy who was sitting waiting to be picked up at the bus stop. I have shared what I found out with my neighbor and she will share it will the other folks who are at the bus stop and have voiced the same concerns. We will be watching and if need be, will call the school again, will call the police if necessary and if we can get his name, will call CPS. Meanwhile, lots of folks are sending good thoughts in his direction. All that is left is to hope that this is one little one who comes out OK in spite of a parent with bad parenting skills and poor judgement. I am carrying him in my heart and I hope that is enough for now.

I had to laugh when I read Linda's post about her Pioneer Braid that had turned out "wonky". Not so long ago, I had one that did the same thing.........what a mess. I had spent a lot of time cutting strips and putting these beautiful braided strips together, only to find that when I put them together as a top, it was short on one end and long on the other. I took it apart. (bad move, bias edges) I put it back together........and took it apart again. Then I realized that no way was this going to have a good ending because if it was bad BEFORE I took it apart twice, it had stretched some more. So, in a disgusted mood, I took my 6 1/2 inch square ruler and made blocks out of the strips. Then I VERY carefully sewed those together in rows and below is what I got. I put borders on it and packed it away for some other day. Linda asked to see it so I dug it out, think I might just have to finish it up soon because I really like it now. Someday I will do a real Pioneer Braid
because I do love the look but not for a while! Excuse the wrinkles..........




10 comments:

Belvie said...

You planned that all along didn't you??? :-) If that was made from a mistake.....then that's one beautiful mistake. I love it!

Amelia said...

As the old saying goes ~"make lemonade if you wind up with lemons".

Looks great from here.

Linda C said...

Now this might just work!!! I love it and like belvie, wonder if you didn't actually plan it this way. Mine is fairly scrappy and heck, it will not matter that I stay stitched it one single bit if I go this route. Thank you, thank you! I'll go edit my post and link back to yours, okay?

My bands were also a bit narrower but borrowing from Mary Ellen Hopkins, I CAN cut a square whatever width that braid finishes.

Saska said...

Sometimes it's easier for me to just throw a mess into the scrap bin than to rip it out. I'm not real patient sometimes.

Your braid looks good!

Carol E. said...

It's beautiful!! A silk purse out of a cow's ear.

Carol E. said...

No ! I meant a sow's ear!! I knew cow sounded funny.

Kristie said...

Oh come on, I wanted to see a photo of the braid first! :) I think this quilt looks great. By looking at this quilt you would never know that it was meant to be something else. Great job on saving it.
Kristie

Sheila said...

What a sweet solution!

Hunter said...

What a beautiful quilt and a great, fun way to deal with a challenge.

I actually think it's more fun to be surprised how things turn out. It looks like you meant this quilt to be just this way all along.

Congratulations on your creativity.

Darilyn

Finn said...

Hi Norma, just popping in to say hello and yes, I am alive and well in Western WI *VBS*
I love your psuedo Pioneer Braid! in fact, it looks just like mine, only better! I had exactly the same problem as you did, and I solved it exactly the same way..by cutting it into blocks. I wish I knew what the secret to doing a nice braid is...but I don't. I know Bonnie has directions at Quiltville tho...so maybe??? *G* Sending big hugs, Finn