Well, I just finished binding the infamous red quilt – by hand – when my eye saw a pin. Oh, not just any pin – this pin is inside the ——— quilt! Now what? Do I cut off the straight part of the pin and leave the round head inside the quilt? Or do I cut a small hole, remove the pin and patch the hole? I simply cannot believe it. What started out as such a joy to make has become a b…..h to finish. Sigh.
Reader photos:
From Mary Ellen at Little Quilts
Bonnie and Carolyn – you’re in my thoughts!
Has everybody got their fall yard work finished? Anybody got snow? Colorado readers? Our temps are cold tonight but going back to the 50s next week. When it dries off we want to chop the leaves before we get snow here in North Iowa.
Love Jeanie’s TV quilt. It looks well put together color wise. I have trouble putting random squares together. My mathematical mind wants there to be a pattern.
I agree with many regarding the pin, if there is a seam close that you can work the pin to the seam it would be easier. If not get the pin out and gently work the head through. I wouldn’t cut the pin. Let us know what you decide to do. I love the quilt show. I think it’s a beautiful quilt. Sometimes beauty is just hard to see through the frustrations you’ve had.
I’m so glad that you decided to bind the Red Quilt…so sorry the pin was there! That quilt just keeps on making life miserable! Thanks for the corn recipe!
Mary I didn’t comment on the pin because they were plenty of suggestions of what to do and I would have don’t ne of those. I hope you can snuggle with that quilt even tho it gave you fits!
The wind was crazy today! Hope it brings some rain for us.
Thinking of you! Hope and pray your surgery goes well and recovery is short!
I left a safety pin in my quilt once – thankfully it was an appliqué art quilt of sunflowers. I cut a hole on the front and appliquéd a butterfly on top. No one knew.
Pin in the quilt, I’ve been there. We knot our small blankets so there is no dense quilting to deal with. I simply undid a seam in the blocks, removed the pin, then hand stitched the seam.
Just a few leaves on our tree. I noticed today that our maple is the only tree in the neighborhood with leaves still on. And it was one of the first to start dropping leaves.
The other day Bonnie Hunter had on a T-shirt that said “I quilt, therefore I swear”. I thought of that right away when I started to read about your pin.
Lynn – we could all use that shirt at some time or another.
A pin in a quilt? Guess many of us have been there. I wouldn’t cut the pin or the quilt. As someone else mentioned, I would try to work the pin out of the fabric, like popping a knot. Use a thimble and maybe work through the backing. Good luck! I read your blog all the time but it’s been crazy busy here – trying to put the plants to bed- knee surgery forced me to use large pots and planter boxes instead of planting in the ground. Everything is emptied & cleaned except for one 1/2 barrel with cherry tomatoes. I wanted to transplant many perennials but we had just 1/2″ of rain over the weekend, the first since September. PA made the national news with so many wildfires. God bless all those firemen, many in our area are volunteers. We need rain or snow and it’s not in the 10 day forecast. There is a burn ban and water conservation effort. (we have a well, so no watering our new trees, shrubs, or plants)
I love all the quilts ! The little girls and chicken quilt and Karen’s adaptation to include little boys and chickens are both adorable! When our kids were young and I was home all the time, I wanted chickens and it almost happened, but then the avian flu broke out. Fast forward many years, I enjoy watching my neighbor’s chickens.
GRRRR on pin! I hope you can at least get rid of the main part and leave the head inside. It’s happened to me but caught it before it was sewn on inside. Love the pictures, as always!! My nephew and his wife live in Monument, CO and they got 25 inches of the white stuff. CRAZY!!!!
I accidentally left a pin in a baby quilt that I made for my niece. Fortunately it stuck my brother and not the baby 😆. He just pulled the pin and left the ball inside.
Hi Mary – sorry I haven’t commented in a while – just been busy. It’s no excuse, but…Anyway we have no snow here in NY- still in the 50’s, and no our fall yard work isn’t done yet. Hopefully this weekend. I love the quilts with the kiddos and chickens! Was that a pattern of yours? I think I’d try to open the quilt just enough to get that pin out then appliqué something small over the hole. Good luck!
The pin thing. I have had this happen a few of times. Once I went in from the back because it was near the seam and popped it out whole. The other time I took a couple of pins to separate the weave and was able to wriggle it out whole. Be sure to check from the back. There might be options.
I have also moved a pin little by little to a seam and was able to get it out easier.
Hi Mary,
Years ago I was given a quilt for my newborn and I found a pin inside. I was able to wiggle the head out of the quilt with patience. It was like popping a knot. It came out fine and no baby crying with a pin prick.
Good luck, you’ll do it! Hugs, Susy
I love reading your blog and photos every day. So many beautiful quilts, homes , flowers, and pets.
I’d try to wiggle out the pin as others have suggested. Your quilt is lovely, I have some similar red fabric I’ve been saving for who knows how long or what it will become?! I need to get busy and use it!
Still enjoying warm days in N IL.
Kim
I love the Chicken & Children quilts. Adorable — both versions. Beautiful layout for the Scrappy Charm quilt. Thanks for the recipe. I might try it since I’ve got quite a crew coming in for Christmas. Thanks for ALL you share.
I’d cut through the shank of that pin as close to the head as possible and leave that pin head inside. This *might* have happened to me before. Just sayin’ 😉
I love Vicki’s neutral quilt! And I love the Karen’s Tilda quilts. I downloaded several Tilda patterns. The only one I made is Mango Garden. (actually I am making 2 quilts for gifts and hope to share them soon.)
It’s been a beautiful fall in southern Iowa. I have the crazy amount of maple leaves finally cleaned up. The elm in my back yard drops it leaves in the winter so I clean those up in the spring. There comes a point I have to call it quits. I need to pull tomato plants and empty some flower pots. Usually that is done but it’s been so warm, I left them to bloom and grow. I picked tomatoes yesterday and had fried green tomatoes for lunch. I might get another batch it if doesn’t freeze before the left-over tomatoes get a little bigger.
We only have two Maple trees that still have a few leaves. Those are on the yard so we don’t worry about those leaves. Jay mowed through the ash tree leaves in the lawn and they disappeared! They were so dry! It was 31* when we got up. No snow! No clouds and windy! Of course!
Two things on my calendar today, massage and haircut!
Sandy did you get your CPap results?
Not yet Joy, my friend suggested could have had a pair of crotch less panties when l told her about having to cut them from the tangle of wires!
Bummer on the pin! As others have said – it’s best if you can wiggle it over to a seam to work it out through.
Otherwise leave it where it is and gently move the fabric threads until you can work the pin head out. After it’s out, rub your finger or a pin over the hole to close it back up.
I had that happen, finding the pin after it stuck me was harder than getting it out.
I feel your pain about the pin inside the quilt, had the same thing happen to me. Got a quilt back from the long-armer, and as I was stitching the binding, I felt something inside the quilt. It was, (is) a pin with a large head. Gave it some thought, and since it’s near the edge of the quilt, I just kept on binding. No one but me knows it’s there.
Ever piece of art should include a mistake that only the artist knows about. The red quilt is a beauty.
Ohhh, the pin, I have done that. What I did was, just work the pin out, spreading out the threads of the fabric, it will come out.
I would NOT cut. I would not smash the head of the pin either. The head isn’t hurting anything, but shards of a pin head might.
Thanks for all the sharing of photos today. I printed out the cheesy corn casserole, I’m going to make it, I know the kids will love it.
Two options for the pin!….. cut pin as you suggested!….. or I would probably make a tiny slit…. Get the pin out and appliqué a little circle over the slit…. Maybe a little Fray check first! A memory for the Red Quilt for sure!😉🥰
Good morning, no snow here in this area of Michigan. We’ve had unseasonably warm weather. I think I’m done outside….. but I always find something else that I would I like to do. It’s hit or miss whether I get it done.
On your quilt I agree with a lot of the others here. I would try to work it to a seam. But do what is best for you. I just hate it when I do stuff like this. I beat myself up till I get it taken care of and then I still dwell on it.
Have a great day Mary! Hope your quilt works out for you!
I bet any experienced quilter has left a pin inside a quilt! Sigh…. Lots of us have been there!
If you want to work the pin out whole, a sewing awl or tweezers with a pointed end can make an opening in the fabric large enough to remove the pin intact and whole.
Depending on what the pin head is made of, you can smash the pin head – then you don’t have to work out the pin whole. If it’s a flat, flower head pin, you might be able to break it off the shaft of the pin.
No snow in my part of Pennsylvania…. temps haven’t gone below 50 even at night. Last week it was in the 80s……. Cleaning up leaves is upon us now. We have cleared the yard twice but will at least require once more. That is what happens when you have 30 trees on a bit more than a half an acre.
I am starting my quilting projects for Christmas gifts…. making runners and pot holders out of TONS of scraps!
Beth – good for you to use scraps too like Patti and make nice gifts! What’s that old New England saying…use it up and make do or something like that. I save all my scraps, color coded in bins in a cabinet and pull them often to finish a border or bind a piece of embroidery.
I love all the enthusiasm on this blog for our sewing projects and to share recipes and book recommendations.
No snow here yet and leaves are still on two maple trees in the yard so raking isn’t over. I covered my herbs planted in the old wheelbarrow cause they are still growing and can use them for awhile yet. I am going to try my hand at making scones today as I love them and have been paying anywheres from $2 for a chocolate chip one to $4.50 for cranberry orange one. I buy them from several different bakeries by camp and home here so I’m sure I’ll go through some flour and sugar till I find one I like.
Kathy – one of our most popular books was Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without! All scrap quilts – some made by our staff.
Mary, my 2 cents…… I agree if you can move the pin to a seam and remove. If not, I’d cut it and leave the head then I’d smash it so it is little pieces not a lump. That is SO frustrating!!!! Why is it the projects we so look forward to creating give us the most frustration????? ARG!!!!! Thanks also for the recipe. Always looking for side dishes for my one church group.
Thank you for the cheezy corn casserole recipe. I love that it can be made small or large, in the oven or crockpot. Quilting talent is never in short supply on this blog. I would have no idea how to handle the pin in your red quilt, so shall read the suggestions with interest. As to yard work, well there are still leaves to come down so shall be dealing with them for a while yet. Some flowers still need to be trimmed off, the lawn mowed one last time, the asparagus cut down and the bed mulched for winter, and stinky gingko tree seeds picked up as long as they fall. When we bought the gingko tree, we were told it was a male tree and wouldn’t produce these “stink bomb” seeds. About ten years ago, we started seeing seeds drop in the fall. I have since learned there is no such thing as a male tree – all gingkos will eventually produce seeds. I love the tree, but not this stinky fall mess. I have easily picked up over 1,000 already. It is an every day task.
Hi Mary, we have all been there, good suggestion about easing it out via the seam.l have started to wash the winter bed linen and next quilts for the bed instead of the goosedown feather duvet.Summer is on the way for us,l want to make summer dresses for Stella and Luna next week, l think the Japanese bear paw will be a top by then.Patti in Florida, do you have a chair lift to get upstairs? My knees don’t like stairs, so l made sure l got a house with flat access when we moved, best decision ever! Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
hi sandy, yes i have considered a chair lift. i postponed it because i really wanted a single story home. looks like i’ll just have to bite the bullet and do it. another option is a small elevator. will have to check into cost. with mr. ed retiring at end of year i guess i’m going to have to do something soon. thanks for the suggestion. i can’t even start downsizing without good access to the upstairs. i’m just so tired of things never being on the same level as me. oh well. ever onward and upward as they say. patti in florida
Mary, I have had that happen to me before too. I just worked the head of the pin to the nearest seam, and kept pushing it against the threads until it popped out and there was no hole to snip nor anything to repair. The threads have enough ‘give’ that it will allow the pin to come out easily. Good luck. The quilt will be one of your favorites to snuggle in when you come home from the hospital. Sending prayers for your upcoming surgery. Jeanne in Co.
Have enjoyed all the beautiful fall arrangements and quilts that your bloggers have sent in as I recover from a nasty cold and cough. This is the third night I’ve had it and I’m hoping it lets up and lets me sleep better tonight. My rib cage is very sore. Stay warm and comfy everyone.
Mary, can you cut the pin with a wire cutter and then take a pin and guide the head to the dark green leaf so you could cut a small opening and take a tweezer to pull the pin head out? I think the dark green will camouflage being cut better than the red! Otherwise, if you could cut the pin as close to the pin’s head, maybe you can just leave it as is, or slide it to the edge where the binding is. I have done this too…I don’t think leaving it inside is harmful. I am getting close to finishing another one of my sampler quilts..it’s a yay for me for sure! This will be UFO #4..and I have one more but I want to work on new stuff. I shall send a photo when I get this one done! I already have a new project to do…it is a wave quilt. I am close to burn out unfortunately. Another lovely non-winter day here in SW MN.
i am so glad people are sharing their quilts. such great inspiration and ideas. karen in florida, i’m glad you mentioned the ‘adaptation of tilda pattern’. i was wondering where the pattern is. you did a marvelous job. love the hair on those girls. it’s easy to tell everyone has been busy with their quilts.
mary, you could leave the little ball there and eventually it will wiggle around. or wiggle it out and repair the tiny part of it coming out. over the course of the coming years, it will eventually not bother you. maybe. you had so much joy and so much of yourself invested in this quilt, don’t let a pin take away that joy. in the course of life, it is a small thing. i’m not trying to make light of it, just trying to make it easier to accept. it seems to happen to me more on quilts that i’m heavily invested in.
i worked and finished two more kennel quilts today. also made another pillowcase. have fabric ready to press for two more. i haven’t used this machine in quite a while so am relearning some things. maybe i’ll have photos tomorrow.
mr. ed shipped off the two quilts today and said ‘you do know that you didn’t put a note in either box, right?’ well, yeah. i knew that. i will call my friend on her birthday hopefully before she gets the package. my sis will be out of town when her package gets there so will be a surprise when she gets home. sometimes we just need to have a surprise to give us an extra little boost.
going to bed earlier. the time change has messed with the cat also. he thinks everything should be an hour before it is time. the dark just comes so soon now, it’s like it weighs down on me. i don’t think it hit me this hard last year. but … this too shall pass. hugs to all, patti in florida
Patti, the Tilda quilt with all girls is the original pattern from Tilda’s World. The quilt with the boys is what I changed in the pattern. This quilt was made for a friend that gives it away in response to demos she is able to give of her ingrypted texting program she designed for pregnancy centers. She wanted something that would work for boys or girls so I added the boys to the quilt.
Mayķ I ask where you are located in Florida? I am located just south of Daytona Beach.
Karen
hi karen, i’m probably not that far from you. i am in winter springs, just northeast of orlando. daytona beach is about an hour from me. you are blessed to be giving these quilts to a woman who then donates them. bless you. patti in florida
Thought of you today, hoping you were binding the Red Quilt! Glad you did it. I would work the head of the pin inside towards a seam if possible, then a teeny snip to dislodge it. A couple of stitches with red thread to secure..no one will find it. Hope this makes sense and works. You will be so happy to have the quilt, and leave the issues created behind!
Prayers for successful surgery and quick recovery. Happy Thanksgiving to you & Rick.
Been there! I push the pin through the quilt & take a pliers to pry the round end off & just leave it in the quilt.
Judy – I’d love to see what you’re working on!
Mary, just wiggle head of pin till it makes a small hole and push pin out or wiggle a small hole with a pin and push head out. I have done this as well. Still raking leaves here in British Columbia.
It tried to snow in Carson city, NV today. Nothing stayed the ground was too warm. I would cut as much of the pin out I could. The quilt is beautiful! Don’t let the pin ruin your enjoyment of the quilt.