I got better as I went along - I realized I could use the edge of the hopper foot as a spacer.  But since it was black on black, it is hard to see.   I did mark with chalk lines to help with spacing.  I could not use a specific measurement because I needed them to line up with the piecing.  Which made the spacing slightly different on the sides from the top/bottom.  So I used chalk lines, eyeballing the center of the piecing and allignment I wanted.

I kept repeating in my head what one professional quilter said - I don't remember who - it's supposed to look hand made.  Little variations make it unique and personal vs computerized.  So I'm going with that.  I did take out a handful of lines (less than 5 I swear) that slipped  enough they bothered me, but mostly I just "eyeballed it".  I am planning on entering it in a local show and I also kept repeating "it's MY quilt", if I want to do it a certain way, then it is my decision.  So many guild members keep encouraging me to enter - not to win prizes, but to share with other quilts.

 Ellen, the pattern that Dee is using mimics beadboard, a type of wall paneling you can buy by the sheet at Lowe's or Home Depot.  She's calling it beadwork but here in Ohio we call it beadboard. Here's a photo:

Another perfect choice.

Dee in TX (DBRADFOR3) said:

Little variations make it unique and personal vs computerized.

You don't want your quilt to look like something stitched in a factory overseas. Tell yourself that your "bobbles" are a sign that you are not a robot.

Okay, here are two more bits for my "Kresge Kid Quilt" that are cheaters because they are not pieced; they are fused. I do not love my son enough to try to do some applique to make his green pi (a sign that he's a mathematician) on top of the board fabric (a sign that he's a marvelous woodworker).  The Greek letter pi was made of green fabric because he has gorgeous green eyes like my dad.

The second block is obviously about jigsaw puzzles. As an only child who had to entertain herself a lot I became quite adept at solving jigsaw puzzles at an early age. Should I brag that in 1984 and 1985 I participated in the National Jigsaw Puzzle Championship contests that were held in Athens, Ohio, sponsored by Hallmark? Did not win anything but it was a lot of fun. My teenage son told me that I was pretty fast for being one of the old contestants. (He spoke the truth, bless his heart.) My family said that the contest was about as exciting as watching grass grow but at least it was over in 58 or 59 minutes (for a 500 piece puzzle).

Two more wonderful blocks and stories!  The top one would be beautiful hardwood flooring.  I have the same puzzle fabric that I used as backing for the retirement quilt I made for our special ed teacher.  How many blocks have you made so far?

There are thirty blocks on the design wall and two in the reject pile. Fabrics for three more are on the way.

(DD put on her thinking cap and made some suggestions when I told her I thought I might be running out of ideas.)

Your quilting is perfect for this.  You are a master quilter.

aw, thanks.  I don't think I'm any where near "master" but I am getting better and that's all I want.

It's DONE!  and flat - I'm surprised given how lumpy, bias, etc the top was.  I do eventually need to soak out all the starch that I used to control the top before quilting.  But I may wait until after the quilt show in September - it is just so nice and flat right now.  I also abandoned the idea of a flange and just used a fabric with equal amounts of black and white.  I think it works and it's kind of fun.  (Judy K, you should recognize that white "splatter" fabric in the bottom pic).