disappearing nine patch
08-11-2011, 01:04 PM
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Posts: 52
I am making a disappearing nine patch.I have found out my seams aren't true 1/4 inch. question being as long as the center is right on can I just make all of them the same size (smallest one) and call this a learning experience. I know I will be too discouraged if I need to take all the seams apart. this is my second quilt.
08-11-2011, 02:09 PM
#4
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
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Sounds like a good plan! This is only your second quilt, and look what you've learned already!!!
Here's a tutorial on checking that seam:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-89997-1.htm
Once you have figured out where that pesky scant 1/4" is on your machine, your blocks will fit much better. For me the time I take to make sure I hit the seam allowance is offset by the time I save not trimming blocks and/or trying to ease mismatched blocks to fit.
Here's a tutorial on checking that seam:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-89997-1.htm
Once you have figured out where that pesky scant 1/4" is on your machine, your blocks will fit much better. For me the time I take to make sure I hit the seam allowance is offset by the time I save not trimming blocks and/or trying to ease mismatched blocks to fit.
08-11-2011, 03:18 PM
#7
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
PLEASE, don't berate yourself. I KNOW it is frustrating !! I have been there. Quilting is a learning experience like cooking!!! WHOOPS, I really NEVER learned how to cook.
There are at least 3 ways to make a mistake.
The way the fabric is CUT
The constancy of STITCHING a 1/4" seam
The way you PRESS the fabric with an iron!!
I am really BAD at pressing so I try to make my blocks if possible just a tiny bit bigger on the perimiter if possible so that they can be trimmed down perfectly after pressing. One last hint and this is what was passed on to me. There is always a tiny build up when you press a seam in one direction. Take a peek. When cutting a stripe, I always put the ruler NOT on the center of the line, but put the fabric edge ON TOP of the edge of the line. This will give you a hair more in compensation for the bulk created by pressing the 1.4 inch seam to one side. It WORKED for me. I HOPE this helps. As the old saying goes, try try again. GOOD LUCK and don't give up !!! Hang in there......
There are at least 3 ways to make a mistake.
The way the fabric is CUT
The constancy of STITCHING a 1/4" seam
The way you PRESS the fabric with an iron!!
I am really BAD at pressing so I try to make my blocks if possible just a tiny bit bigger on the perimiter if possible so that they can be trimmed down perfectly after pressing. One last hint and this is what was passed on to me. There is always a tiny build up when you press a seam in one direction. Take a peek. When cutting a stripe, I always put the ruler NOT on the center of the line, but put the fabric edge ON TOP of the edge of the line. This will give you a hair more in compensation for the bulk created by pressing the 1.4 inch seam to one side. It WORKED for me. I HOPE this helps. As the old saying goes, try try again. GOOD LUCK and don't give up !!! Hang in there......
Line up to cut a 2 strip
[ATTACH=CONFIG]240239[/ATTACH]
Cut a thin strip of lightweight fusible facing down Press then trim block Works if you are ONLY 1/8 short on each side
[ATTACH=CONFIG]240240[/ATTACH]
08-11-2011, 07:36 PM
#9
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,501
I would think that you could trim your cut blocks to a consistant size if you wanted. I would make sure though to trim the same side or sides so that you don't end up with the smaller pieces seams not matching. If possible, I would trim on the big block and end of rectangle sides.
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