Grand Illusion - Clue #1

Happy Linky Day!  To see other blogs of folks who are also doing the mystery quilt this year, here is a link......LINK

I am a bit late in writing this due to the crazy weekend/holiday.  On Friday I woke up ready to go. Here is a link to the clue...  LINK.

I read the clue and decided to use the "Magic 8" method which I had never done before.  I found a tutorial, did all the calculations in my head, wrote it all down and went into the studio feeling confident.

I cut my fabric based on my calculations....

I prepared my new-to-me vintage sewing machine....

....and sewed like a maniac to make a gazillion half-square triangle (HST) units.

I then started cutting out my yellow and black squares for the "broken dishes" unit, only to realize that each and every one of these beauties are the wrong size.  All these units, 1/2 inch too small.  If I had made them too big I could have at least cut them down, but no, they're too small.  Why didn't I use a calculator?  Why?

So what do I do?  I go to the fabric store, buy some additional fabric, and start all over again, this time using the Easy Angle Ruler method which I've used successfully before.  These mini units will make a fine addition to my backing, or maybe a border.  Who knows.

I finished my last correctly sized HST last night and tonight I finished 10 of the broke dishes units. I've got quite a few more to go before Friday but I'm going to give it my best.

Since I work full time, I have to do this after work, dinner, kid wrangling, etc.  Ten was all I could manage, but least I had quilt cam to keep me company tonight in the sewing room.

Cheers.

Jen from IL