bearisgray

Oops! The theoretical "finished size" should be 12.50 inches - not 12.25.

bearisgray

How I arrived at those numbers:

8.25 minus .50 = 7.75 - cut size minus seam allowance

7.75 divided by 3 = 2.583... - the center unit is 3/5 of the 5 x 5 unit, and I want to know what size the corner squares "should" finish at - the corner squares are 1/3 of the center unit

2.58 plus .50 = 3.08 - the finished size of the corner squares plus seam allowance

So -

Piece 1C is cut at 8.25 x 8.25
Piece 1A is cut at 3.08 x 3.08
Piece 1B is cut at 3.08 x 8.25 - the long sides are cut the length of the center square and the short sides are cut the length of the corner squares

So - if you bothered to read to the end of this - thank you!

I am one of those people that "do better" if I know the "how/why" of doing the steps, instead of just being told to "do them".

And if it is easier for you to look up whatever in a chart, that's fine, too.

Battle Axe

bearisgray, I can easily follow your thinking. Thanks so much for putting all that time into your lesson for the day.
Marcia

AZ Jane

That is awesome!! TY!!

bearisgray

I read "somewhere" - to make the unit with all small pieces first - and then make the unit with the bigger pieces next.

So - in this case - make the unit with the 25 squares - and then make the bigger unit "to fit" -

klswift

For many people who feel they are 'math challenged', the easiest way to figure it out any block is to draw it out on graph paper. Start with your center block and work out. Then cut out the pieces, add 1/4 seam allowances and measure. This visual often helps for folks. The difficulty with this center square is that it is 8 1/4 unfinished meaning it will be 7 3/4 finished and this is a weird number to deal with. Personally, I would trim the center square a tiny bit on all 4 sides making it 8" unfinished and 7 1/2" finished (easier to work with). Then it is easy to plan for 2 1/2" strips and squares.

bearisgray

The way I figured it, 3" cut width strips seemed to work out better. (2-1/2 inch finished width)

Iceblossom

You've been given all sorts of good advice on this. The main issue as you know is the size of the panel and that the outside row as you've done it isn't consistent with the inside row.

Now, I'd think it would be just fine as alternating blocks the way it is, without doing the additional Irish Chain blocks.

If I was faced with this I would take the panel I'm using, fold it in half, add half an inch for seam allowances and would cut all the Irish chain blocks to this width. Since I have my vision issues, I'd probably take a piece of freezer paper or something and cut it so I can see it and use that to help me cut. The "fold in half, add 1/2" inch" would work with funky measurements like something that is 7-5/8" or whatever.

I had to figure out something a few years ago when a friend really really wanted me to use a specific carousel horse block that was an awful size!

Edit: I guess since you already have the raw block size you would only need to use an extra 1/4" if you folded in half. I typically go from the finished size first so add a half inch.

marjean36

bearisgray, you are so kind to give us this information. I have spent a week cutting squares form leftover fabric from finished quilts that have just stacked up waiting for the next step. I have not made an Irish chain and definitely have that in mind. This is just the help that I needed. Thank you so much for the lesson. I really appreciated it.