Quilty Confessions

I like to try new-to-me quilty things.  Sometimes that new block becomes a quilt, sometimes a mini, or even just a mug rug size.

But sometimes things don't work out quite like you expected!

I'm a total novice when it comes to sewing 45 degree triangles, so when I saw Sarah's (Confessions of a Fabric Addict) tutorial for making a sample block from her upcoming Christmas in July quilt along, I thought I'd give it a try.  (Thinking, "Oh yes, I have a 45 degree ruler!)

These pretty fat quarters came in the mail recently from Sarah for participating in her Hands2Help charity quilt drive, so I thought they would be perfect to play with.

The top fabric is much more pink than the orange it comes 

out in the photo - as usual my camera seems to want to change its color!

Sarah's tutorial is very complete and detailed, with lots of tips and photos that make it really clear.  She has you cut some of the pieces larger than they need to be and then trim them to size after sewing.

So far, so good!

I happily sewed up the 8 bigger triangles that I needed, and laid them out together on the table.  

Unfortunately, this was my first hint that something wasn't quite right.

Seven triangles seem to fit together, but what about the eighth one?

But, on I plowed, sewing together pairs and then fours.  Now this really isn't right!

After looking things up online and rereading and figuring, 

I think I've been using the WRONG ruler!   My ruler is the Tri Tool part of the Tri Recs rulers.  I *thought* it was the same one Sarah used in her tutorial.

Oops... 🙄    Evidently the 45 degree triangle ruler is different than the Tri Tool.

I actually took one triangle off and sewed the seven remaining ones together.  (Can you tell that I've already been using the scraps from this ill - fated project in my Bright Hopes blocks?  At least there is a bit of "hope" lol!)

There's only one problem with the block as it is now...

Nope, that's not going to work either...

So, what next?  How about using the Tri Recs rulers the way they're meant to be used?  (That was my light bulb moment!)

Oh yeah, that's going to work better!

These blocks will turn into something!

But that's not what I originally set out to make.  And I'd still like to actually make the original block...  Guess I'd better go find the right 45 degree triangle ruler!

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