toogie

Hi Quilters, I have a lot of 5 inch squares of various scraps. I want to make a 9 patch to match my 5 inch squares. Can you help me figure because one, my brain doesn't work as well sometimes and two it's just easier to ask you smart people that already know. What size would I cut my little squares for the 9P to finish at 5 inches to sew to my 5 inch squares? I am thinking cut nine 2 inch squares and once sewn into a 9P it will measure 5 inches. Am I right or wrong?

Barb in Louisiana

I am assuming your 5 inch cut square will end up as a 4.5 inch finished square after you sew them with the 9 patches. If that is true, then 4.5/3 = 1.5 finished squares in your 9 patches, which means you would cut them as 2 inches. You are right!

Now, if your squares are actually cut at 5.5 inches, then all calculations would have to be revised.

Gemm

My math system is a little different from Barb's (I do 2x3=6 then subtract 1/2" for each seam to get my unfinished size of 5") but I agree with both of your calculations/hypotheses of 2" squares being your goal! :-)

bearisgray

I agree so.

toogie

I just made two and they are correct. I cut my small sqs at 2 inch, but I usually use a different foot than the quarter inch foot I'm having to use. I like to take a slightly bigger seam allowance only because I pink the edges afterwards. Thanks girls.

bearisgray

Why do you pink the edges? They are enclosed and frequently stitched down during the quilting process.

toogie

I like the inside to look neat as the front (even if no one sees but me) and the main thing, I hate fabric ravels or threads hanging. After all the work I don’t want seams raveling out. That’s just me. I am cutting my squares 2 and 1/8 in sq so I can use the foot I’m used to and I can tip the seam allowances with my pinking shears. More work, but I don’t mind. I do all my quilts like this.

toogie

Here is the back on one with the braid seam allowances pinked and the long strips serged or overcast. I always edge finish my seam allowances on anything, baby clothes to quilts. No right or wrong, but just what I want to do.

Quiltwoman44

Wow, do they call that a braided border? Looks great! (scraps mailed off by the way).

toogie

Yes, it is a braid. Thanks again for the scraps. We just got back from a weeks vacation with our kids, grands and greats. It was 17 of us, but sadly, seven didn't get to make it. I am working on a scrappy top right now, but I will probably be finished, before I get yours. A shame...now I will have to make another-lol