Tartan

It happens to the best of us. When doing 1/4 inch seams, I find that most pattern actually need scant 1/4 inch seams to account for the thread and fold over. Unless your machine has a perfect scant 1/4 foot like my Bernina, you will have to adjust your seam size. Instead of measuring from the stitching line over to the edge for your quarter inch, make sure that the sewing line is just inside the quarter inch. Hope this helps but if all the blocks are the same repeat pattern in a quilt then the 1/4 doesn't matter. If all the blocks will be different like a BOM you do need to work out the seam allowance before proceeding or all the blocks will come out different sizes depending on the number of pieces involved.
BUT it's is still not a disaster if the blocks end up odd sizes, just set them in a "wonky" positioned sashing or adjust the sashing sizes and resquare them when finished. Good Luck and keep quilting!

Val in IN

I agree, I think there must have been a mis-print in the pattern. The squares would need to be 2 1/2" (so that you could have a 1/4" seam on each side) in order to have a 6 1/2" block (leaving 1/4" on each side) to finish at 6".

NellLaCaze

Here is the picture of my works. Hope you can see it. I checked the printing a it says 2x2.

Prism99

From the photo you posted, the pattern is correct in specifying cutting 2" squares to start with. Assuming you are using a *scant* 1/4" seam allowance and pressing the seams, the resulting block should be 6.5" square.

It looks to me from the photograph that there is a lot of "turn of the cloth" in your seams. For example, between one of the brown squares and the blue square above it, the seam has not been pulled out before pressing; extra blue fabric is in the pressed fold. This will reduce the size of the square and of the whole block. If you *carefully* press all of these seams so the block is lying perfectly flat (the block in the photo is buckled) and each seam is fully pressed out (no extra turn-of-the-cloth in the seam), and the block is still measuring less than 6.5" square, then you need to adjust your seam allowance smaller.

Part of your problem appears to be pressing. Correct that first. Any remaining problem will be the size of your seam allowance (too big). It's actually not the exact 1/4" seam allowance that is important; it is the size of the finished square that is important. Patterns assume people will sew a *scant* 1/4" in order to get the correct finished size. Different people will have different "scant" amounts depending on how they press, the type of thread they are using, and the fabric they are using.

MadQuilter

I agree with prism. Your loss is in the pressing process if your squares started exact at 2" AND if your seam is exact at 1/4". Each finished square in the center section should measure to be 1.5" square and the ones on the edge should be 1.75" Looks like you didn't push the top square back far enough when you pressed the pieces.

Other than that, the pattern is correct. 2+2+2+2 = 8 and you lose 1.5" for the seam allowance 8-1.5" = 6.5"

frarose

Yes the measurements are correct. 4) 2" blocks would make a 6.5" strip. Measure each strip before you sew them together. Also use a scant 1/4" seam because of having quite a few seams and PRESS, press, press.

kiffie2413

This is what I wondered, if somewhere it said, or should have said to add a seam allowance?..Like to cut the squares 1/2" larger to account for the seams... I have had that happen before. I also have gone back and taken out every seam, and carefully resewn with a scant (very scant) 1/4" seam to try and eke out the extra inches...sorry you are having such a problem...
Good luck,
Kif

lfstamper

Sometimes pattern refer to a finished size block versus and UNfinished size block. Maybe post the directions you followed so we can try it to see.

NellLaCaze

Here the directions from the puzzle that I am trying to do. I have done ripped out starting over.