Merricks Nth: Difficulty Sets In

 

The pattern for Merricks Nth calls for clusters of like elements that are often separated by strips of blue. I'm using purple instead.

Initially I had thought that I wouldn't put the purple strips on until I was finished and then decide which purple to put where. Today I went down to my studio, put in a load of laundry, and decided to put some of the clusters together.

This started out well! Encouraged, I moved on to another group.

One can barely see the purple strip separating these two clusters. But it's there, and it is the length of the circles cluster. 

On the other side of that purple strip we have the small diamonds cluster. And it is too short by more than an inch! More like an inch and a half. Way too much to try to fudge in.

I had a hard time when I was piecing these blocks. And I don't know why. I've worked with tiny pieces before. But these just drove me crazy and some of the backgrounds at the points are uncomfortably skimpy. 

Each small diamond block was supposed to be 2.5 x 4.5. But, y'know what, I didn't measure the first one to be sure before I started the other seven. And I didn't measure any of those either. They all came out to very close to the same size and I just sewed them together the way I was told. And I lack an inch and a half! I suppose I could take it apart and see if I could reassemble it with a skimpier seam allowance. But to make up an inch and a half? Aaargh. 

I just don't think I'd feel good about that. And, frankly, I don't have it in me to make eight more pieced small diamonds. 

So, don't tell the pattern designer, but what I've decided is to cut eight background rectangles 3 x 5. And to cut another diamond template out of the ironable mylar stuff,  and applique these guys. And then trim to 2.5 x 4.5. And call it good. 

Stay tuned.