CoyoteQuilts

It's not the 'ruler side' but the 'line side'......

nana pat

thanks, I misread it, but now I hbow why I am having so much trouble with my sizes. Duh, silly me. :oops:

MadQuilter

When using a rotary cutter to cut the strips and pieces, the alignment of the ruler contributes greatly to the size of the strip or piece. Most of the rulers have a rather fat line that represents the measurement. While the line is important for us to see the measurement, it matters whether the line is centered ON the line for the cut or slightly OFF the line for the cut. I hope that makes sense - clear as mud for me. I make sure to cut mine all the same.

ShirlR

Hi, Lady Shivesa, I did notice this when trying (note I said "trying", LOL) my first block where there were a lot of triangles to form a basket. Silly me, I have never quilted before, and the first thing I picked to do was a pre-cut squares quilt project called "Bohemian Treasures" from Joann's. I did plenty of ripping and stitching on that multi-triangle block, and wondered why this thing was so hard. I finally completed that block, with trial and error and sheer luck, I guess. I can now see, from Holice's post, why I was having so much trouble. Thanks for your post!

ShirlR

Thank you Annalee ~ sounds like you have an accurate quarter inch foot; I tested mine last night, and it seems that it is a bit off, so I had to move my needle over 2 more times to the right before I got a true quarter inch.

Holice

I took a class from Sally Collins (the queen of precision piecing). She said to align and cut using the left edge of the printed line on the ruler (this for right handed quilters). This little extra will compensate for the scant 1/4". I try to remember and do both (left side and scant). I find that I am more accurate in my piecing by doing this.

raptureready

Triangles need a bit of a smaller seam to get them to come out right when the block is made. Don't sweat the small stuff. 1/4 or scant doesn't really make much difference as long as you're consistant. If you use a full 1/4" you blocks might not be quite as big as what the pattern calls for. Most of the time this won't matter. Just find the smallest one and square them all up to that size. Unless you're trying to make show quilts no one will notice.

Lori S

I have always hated when a pattern calls for sewing a "scant" 1/4 inch. It really has no presice definition. Some say its one thread of the fabric off from the 1/4 inch another says its the cutting .... just give me patterns and templates with a real 1/4 inch. Then again we get into the whose ruler is the real 1/4 inch?!!!!! Or is the 1/4 inch foot really 1/4 inch?!!!
I have learned not to sweat it! I'll live fine and make beautiful quilts.

MomtoBostonTerriers

A great thread and great advice from ALL of you experienced quilters. Thanks for taking the time to share your wisdom with us newbies.