Practice Does Not Always Make Perfect

Have you ever practiced something, thinking you had it down, only to find it didn’t work when you needed it most? Circles are doing that to me at this very moment. 

I bought circle templates and even read the directions. I practiced making a couple of circles and had amazing results. Now, when I need them most, they are failing me.

I am making the centers of squared Dresden Plate blocks. I cut the circles out as the directions indicated, hand basted the circle, gathered the threads and ironed them with smooth edges. Curses! The basting did not gather around the template as it had at home. The small travel iron was not pressing as nicely as my iron at home. The circles were a bust! And I am annoyed. So, I am now gathering and pressing as best I can and over-pinning the circles to the center of the design. 

The results are fine, but the process is tedious. It was so rewarding when it worked out the way I had hoped. But I am in the wilderness now and making do with the materials I have. I refuse to return to my home with this unfinished. I need something to show for my quiet, relaxing time on the road.