Three Strikes.......and I'm Done for the Night!

I got home from work and felt like piecing another block for my table runner. I glanced over at the ugly block (I use that term fondly as I think this runner is going to turn out quite nice). At least I did at that moment.

I made a mental note that I needed a 12-inch pattern. Within minutes I found a pattern that I thought would be fun and quick to piece. Here is the first 6-inch finished block.



I made a total of four blocks in about an hour. I was feeling pretty good about my choice. I sewed them all together to form this circular flying geese block.
I like it! I am eager to see what it looks like next to the ugly block. I am thinking it's going to look pretty good.

As soon as I picked up the ugly block, my enthusiasm plummeted. I immediately realized that I had miscalculated the size of the ugly block---by 3 inches! You would think by now that I would know enough to measure twice and cut once--or at least measure it--I just thought it was 12 inches. I didn't even measure it.

After just a couple of seconds, I decided that it's no big deal. I will just add a border to make it a 12-inch block. (Yes, I hate that purple fabric--it must be a cotton blend to curl up like that. That's why I chose a different purple for the flying geese block).

I took the same purple as the flying geese block and added borders to all sides.


I think it now looks much better than the original block. . .and I am pretty pleased. ..until I place them atop each other to see how they fit... I have miscalculated again and I am 1/4-inch short on all sides.

O.K. no problem. I rip off a three-quarter inch strip to add another border. One inch into the sewing I realize that isn't going to work either. I did not take into consideration that I would be using up 1/4-inch for the seam on the finished block.

So now I am too bummed to do any more. I am also hungry. I guess I will find a little something for dinner and think about this tomorrow. I just hope I have enough of these fabrics to get a finished table runner. I never plan these things out. I just sew and hope for the best.

Do you all do that, too? Or do you plan everything in advance to make sure it will all work out?