Block size off.
10-30-2010, 06:45 PM
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 45
I just finished my first quilt block, and instead of 12.5 inches square, it is approx a bit over 12 by a bit under 12.
Looking over it I noticed that it is a mixture of slightly miscut strips (That I didn't notice when cutting) by some slightly uneven, not exact seams.
When I started the block I was not sure what I was going to do with it, and now I'm debating on doing a bunch of random blocks and putting them together in a lap quilt, or make a pillow out of the one block.
Is there a way of getting the blocks more even. On the sewing machine I have a stack of masking tape at the 1.4 inch mark, but still tend to go bigger and smaller then that.
With cutting, even if I move the hand up the ruler while cutting, I still get either the ruler or the fabric shifting.
Looking over it I noticed that it is a mixture of slightly miscut strips (That I didn't notice when cutting) by some slightly uneven, not exact seams.
When I started the block I was not sure what I was going to do with it, and now I'm debating on doing a bunch of random blocks and putting them together in a lap quilt, or make a pillow out of the one block.
Is there a way of getting the blocks more even. On the sewing machine I have a stack of masking tape at the 1.4 inch mark, but still tend to go bigger and smaller then that.
With cutting, even if I move the hand up the ruler while cutting, I still get either the ruler or the fabric shifting.
10-30-2010, 06:58 PM
#3
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Posts: 1,547
Hey, it was your first block! At least you got close to the right size. Just keep practicing. Move your stack of tape a teeny bit closer to the needle so your seams will be a little bit smaller and your block will be bigger.
10-30-2010, 07:00 PM
#4
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Out searching for some sunshine :-)
Posts: 58,856
You can add a 2" sashing around all of your blocks (cut it 2 1/2") then trim them all to the same size :wink:
When you sew all of these together, trim the sides all up to match too :D:D:D
When you sew all of these together, trim the sides all up to match too :D:D:D
10-31-2010, 11:08 AM
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: High Entropy Zone
Posts: 1,247
Originally Posted by JoanPD
I just finished my first quilt block, and instead of 12.5 inches square, it is approx a bit over 12 by a bit under 12.
Looking over it I noticed that it is a mixture of slightly miscut strips (That I didn't notice when cutting) by some slightly uneven, not exact seams.
When I started the block I was not sure what I was going to do with it, and now I'm debating on doing a bunch of random blocks and putting them together in a lap quilt, or make a pillow out of the one block.
Is there a way of getting the blocks more even. On the sewing machine I have a stack of masking tape at the 1.4 inch mark, but still tend to go bigger and smaller then that.
With cutting, even if I move the hand up the ruler while cutting, I still get either the ruler or the fabric shifting.
Looking over it I noticed that it is a mixture of slightly miscut strips (That I didn't notice when cutting) by some slightly uneven, not exact seams.
When I started the block I was not sure what I was going to do with it, and now I'm debating on doing a bunch of random blocks and putting them together in a lap quilt, or make a pillow out of the one block.
Is there a way of getting the blocks more even. On the sewing machine I have a stack of masking tape at the 1.4 inch mark, but still tend to go bigger and smaller then that.
With cutting, even if I move the hand up the ruler while cutting, I still get either the ruler or the fabric shifting.
You should also check to make sure you have an accurate 1/4 inch. If there was one thing that I had the most problem with at the beginning this is it. You should cut two 2 1/4 x 3 inch pieces and sew down the 2 1/4 side. Press seam first to set stitches and then to one side. Measure block. You should have a 4 x 3 inch block. If not, start adjusting you needle position or mark it on your machine. There are a lot of Topics on how to do this better than I explained it.
If you are having trouble with wobbling seams (mine are especially prone to have trouble at the beginning and end) try a stilleto (bamboo skewer will work) and something some people call a spider (leader and enders?). They help keep the fabric feeding evenly at the beginning and ending of a seam.
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