Seeing red, while feeling blue...

The black dog thinks I am it's personal coathanger.


It has itself draped about my person, like some huge black overcoat, or perhaps one of those hideous fox furs, where the poor little creature's stuffed head was on one end, & it's pitiful little legs hung down the back or from the other end.

This black dog is not so easily shed. It is a tenacious beast.

By way of trying to shake it off, I decided to begin a quilt made in reds.

Now I don't like red as a colour. I am afraid of it, somehow. It discomfits me to wear it, so I have no red clothing.

I like to see others wearing red. My daughter & granddaughter both look very nice in red.

I shamelessly stole this idea for the quilt off someone's picture gallery taken at a Quilt show.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery don't they??

I was quite surprised to find how many red fabrics I have. I did get some to use for a quilt I made one of my sons. I felt I had a fair stash, so I went ahead & made patches- the ever comfortable 9patches that I am so fond of.

Now my lame brain hurts every time I try to work out how to cut the correct size setting triangles.

I want to set them on point the same as the one I admired. I have less patches in my version. However that should not be a problem. I just can't seem to get the hang of how to calculate the setting triagles. I have cut some, but they don't seem to be the right size.

So deep breath to hide the panic, here HALP!!!! HAAAALLPP!
Help? help?...

The reds look very garish here in the photo. They are not quite so garish in person. They are 8 1/2 inches square with the black borders. I cut the triangles from an 8 7/8" square, but they seem too large.

I am just going to go out into the garden & sulk for a while.

I know the answer will be in one of my quilt books or magazines. I just cannot stand the thought of pulling them all out, & going through them all trying to find formula... if that is what it is.

Why did I not 'get' maths?? I got words ok. I just never got maths. It terrifies me as much as red does.

'They' say, if you dislike something, you should tackle it. Well... red plus maths ... nah! It is not working!!

So much for thinking red might shake the black dog.... I think it has caused its fangs to sink deeper...

Who wants to feel stupid as well as blue?

I have another quilt that is patiently waiting to be finished. It is for my granddaughter, & I really should try to get it done by Christmas.

Chris Isaak, Somebody's Crying