I very often hand stitch labels onto the back. Would that be feasible in this case? I usually turn under the raw edges about 1/4 inch, and sometimes even machine stitch that down. Then I use a hand stitch that doesn't go all the way through to the front and barely shows.

So, surely some of you have, at one time or another, thrown in the towel and said, "Enough! I give up, I can't make this work. I quit!"

Please??? Yes???

I just finished quilting the Mario quilt for my son (the one for which I was using clear thread on top) and made an adorable label for the back. It was to go in sections down the middle, resembling the ending credits of the video game -- so "Zach's Mario Level" "Designed by Zach Last Name, Age 8" "Made By Heather Last Name, Mom" "(c) 2013" -- each of those a separate section, so would be on separate rows.

But. I need clear thread on the front. I have to put these on the back, so I can't see the front. No problem, I remember a trick of Ricky's -- do a loose straight stitch just inside of where you'll do the zig-zag. Then flip the quilt over and do your zig-zag butting up against the guide line you stitched. Then remove the guide stitch. No problem! Easy!

Except, this involves turning/pivoting the quilt, in the big fat middle, with all that bulk, and my machine's throat is not that big. Did.Not.Work. I had to cut the thread to get the quilt out, as it was just stuck, too much bulk to move while attached.

Okay, no problem. New plan. I'll put the labels all together in a row and put them up at the top edge, so that I only have to go down the edge, then just a bit, then down again. Now, the first thing was a circle with the logo on it; the logo is red circle, white M. So I put it in the corner and did a zig zag. I had light blue in the bobbin, which is the color of the front, so decided to just go over it one time -- the blue would blend in. No problem!

Except, the red thread went through to the other side. Is that a tension thing??? Or a zig-zag thing??? Does the top thread usually go through when doing zig-zag?? I've never paid attention before......

So, can't have a red circle up in the blue sky, so ripped that out oh-so-carefully and for the moment, gave up. The quilt itself is done -- quilted, binded (bound?), and now in the wash with about 10 color-catchers so that he can sleep with it on his bed tonight.

My sweet boy said "you don't need that on the back, you know, you can leave it off" so I might do just that. The labels didn't turn out as nice as I'd have liked anyway (trying to fake embroider letters with a zig-zag......oh my word).

So --- rather than a "woe is me" post, how 'bout a "my funniest quilt mistake" or "oh, the thing that just made me call it quits was...." thread. I've not been this annoyed since I tried that very first sunburst block that you all helped me with (from the diary quilt).

But the quilt itself turned out fantastic! so it's all good Your turn --- who has a story of a quilt getting the better of you???