Do You Make A Sample Square ?
#1
I do because a long time ago, I made a throw & nothing matched in size.Had to cut the blocks down,add sashing etc.I prob had to cut the sashing down too, as I was pretty new.
There are several reasons for making a sample square.With blocks that all have to be turned/sewn in a certain order,you check each against the sample.Think pinwheels & log cabins.
Checking the block size can save hrs of work.
If the sample is good to go...it's stuck right in front of my machine.If not, it goes into my pile of orphan blocks :-)that will someday be sewn together & given away.
The main reason being sure I want to spend the time/work /fabric making that quilt.When it comes down to the nitty gritty,often times the answer is no.The block speaks to me & that alone has saved me buying a ton of fabric.You would think just seeing a pic of a quilt would work..& sometimes it does, but making a sample block works best for me.
There are several reasons for making a sample square.With blocks that all have to be turned/sewn in a certain order,you check each against the sample.Think pinwheels & log cabins.
Checking the block size can save hrs of work.
If the sample is good to go...it's stuck right in front of my machine.If not, it goes into my pile of orphan blocks :-)that will someday be sewn together & given away.
The main reason being sure I want to spend the time/work /fabric making that quilt.When it comes down to the nitty gritty,often times the answer is no.The block speaks to me & that alone has saved me buying a ton of fabric.You would think just seeing a pic of a quilt would work..& sometimes it does, but making a sample block works best for me.
#3
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 11,375
I will from now on... If I had made a sample block of the ugly quilt I am making, I wouldn't be making it. It is all cut out, so I don't have any other option than to finish it. I know the reasons it is ugly to me though. #1 It is too dark for my taste. #2 There isn't enough contrast for my taste. I just hope someone will fall in love with and just have to have it. HOPE! HOPE! HOPE!
#4
Think every quilt is loved by someone, sooner or later.I can hardly force myself to work on a quilt I don't like,for whatever reason.If I make 3-4 blocks & don't like it,that's my limit for sure....but took too long to learn it.:-(
Originally Posted by Sadiemae
I will from now on... If I had made a sample block of the ugly quilt I am making, I wouldn't be making it. It is all cut out, so I don't have any other option than to finish it. I know the reasons it is ugly to me though. #1 It is too dark for my taste. #2 There isn't enough contrast for my taste. I just hope someone will fall in love with and just have to have it. HOPE! HOPE! HOPE!
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Kansas City area USA
Posts: 421
If a pattern looks to be quite challenging, I will make 4-6 blocks first....enough to get the hang of it and see if I like it enough to finish a full quilt and then go ahead and cut more or if I'm not really in love with it, I can make those few blocks up into a small dolly quilt or a table runner.
Jodi in Leavenworth
Jodi in Leavenworth
#8
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,666
Originally Posted by eparys
I do but not for size. I do it to decide how to press seams - especially in a complicated block.
#9
I don't make fabric samples.
I draw the whole quilt onto graph paper with colored pencils.
I can try out block sizes, color placement and shades this way.
I assign a measurement to each sq. of the graph, such as all red colored sqs equal 1", all yellows equal 3.5" etc.
This is just easier for me.
I draw the whole quilt onto graph paper with colored pencils.
I can try out block sizes, color placement and shades this way.
I assign a measurement to each sq. of the graph, such as all red colored sqs equal 1", all yellows equal 3.5" etc.
This is just easier for me.
#10
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 17,068
Originally Posted by Sadiemae
I will from now on... If I had made a sample block of the ugly quilt I am making, I wouldn't be making it. It is all cut out, so I don't have any other option than to finish it. I know the reasons it is ugly to me though. #1 It is too dark for my taste. #2 There isn't enough contrast for my taste. I just hope someone will fall in love with and just have to have it. HOPE! HOPE! HOPE!
To answer the question, no I don't but probably should!
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