New Quilter Needs Help
#1
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 23
New Quilter Needs Help
This is probably a dumb question but can you use a 1/2" seam allowance on some of the blocks in a quilt and 1/4" on the rest of the quilt without messing everything up? I have never made a quilt and I'm trying to follow a pattern.
I'm using 5" charm squares for most of the quilt but the pattern also requires that some of the 5" charm squares be subcut into four 2" squares. These subcut pieces are then sewn together into a 9 patch that is supposed to come out the same size as the 5" charm square. I used a Sizzix die to subcut the squares but realized the die if for 2 1/2" "unfinished" squares -- not 2". Instead of having to cut all of these little squares down into 2", I wondered if I could just use a 1/2" seam allowance on these blocks. Hope I have made sense in what I'm saying.
I'm using 5" charm squares for most of the quilt but the pattern also requires that some of the 5" charm squares be subcut into four 2" squares. These subcut pieces are then sewn together into a 9 patch that is supposed to come out the same size as the 5" charm square. I used a Sizzix die to subcut the squares but realized the die if for 2 1/2" "unfinished" squares -- not 2". Instead of having to cut all of these little squares down into 2", I wondered if I could just use a 1/2" seam allowance on these blocks. Hope I have made sense in what I'm saying.
#2
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
I would try a block with some scrap fabric and find the seam allowance that works to get the size block I need. People adjust their seam allowance often to achieve the size blocks they need.
Welcome and enjoy the process.
Welcome and enjoy the process.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Morris Plains, NJ
Posts: 1,803
This is my thinking. Three unfinished 2 1/2” squares lengthwise x three unfinished squares widthwise will equal 7 1/2” unfinished square. You will have 2 seams in the center both lengthwise and widthwise so if you make the seams 1/2”, you will have 2” less when the center part is joined. The 5 1/2” square will not butt up to the 5” square. Do you have a rotary cutter, mat and template? Sorry, but I’d recut the small squares. Welcome to the board. You will learn so much here.
#7
Maureen is right. If you make a 9-patch from the 2.5" squares, using a 1/2" seam, it will measure 5.5" unfinished. When joining the charm to a 9-patch you would have to align the pieces so that you have a 1/2" seam allowance on the 9-patch and a 1/4" seam allowance on the charm. It could be done, but it would be difficult and confusing. Can you get another 2" die to make cutting the 2.5" pieces down a little easier?
#8
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Heart of Colorado's majestic mountains!
Posts: 6,026
Welcome to quilting! That being said, I would add that sometimes (almost always!) it pays to back up-rip stitching out- and do things as directed for best results. Making 1/2 seams creates all kinds of difficulties as the process goes forward. As mentioned by several others, the proposed solution will not work. We all have to back up from time to time. It is just part of the process. Please know that we have all been there; fixed the problem; and, moved forward to happy success. My bit of advice is to fix your problem before you put your project away rather than have to come back to a project that has to be fixed before going forward. I still love new challenges after 50 years of sewing and quilting.
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