Question on squaring
09-05-2015, 05:37 PM
#32
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09-05-2015, 05:52 PM
#33
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My quilt top is finished! I'm ready to select my backing and then take it to the quilter's. I am quite pleased with how it turned out and it lies nice and flat. I put on two borders, a 2 1/5" and then a 6". I'll post a close up of those in the next post. I really took my time and measured as many suggested and Googled "easing" so if I needed to ease, I'd know how to do it. I did press (actually pressed and not ironed!) and used Best Press on everything.
My quilt top is finished! I'm ready to select my backing and then take it to the quilter's. I am quite pleased with how it turned out and it lies nice and flat. I put on two borders, a 2 1/5" and then a 6". I'll post a close up of those in the next post. I really took my time and measured as many suggested and Googled "easing" so if I needed to ease, I'd know how to do it. I did press (actually pressed and not ironed!) and used Best Press on everything.
09-05-2015, 05:53 PM
#34
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here is a better view of my two borders. It turned out much larger than I anticipated - I have it on my queen-size bed and it hangs over a bit on both sides! The 8" of border helped with that.
here is a better view of my two borders. It turned out much larger than I anticipated - I have it on my queen-size bed and it hangs over a bit on both sides! The 8" of border helped with that.
09-06-2015, 07:45 PM
#37
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Just love your outer border fabric choice, great contrast with the small print fabrics you used. Glad everything g eased in for you.
Judy in Phx, AZ
09-06-2015, 08:27 PM
#38
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Squaring - arrgghhh! When I try to square a block, I wind up with a postage stamp sized block.
Layer cakes that I have used have been true to size enough that Ididn't think they needed squaring. I do not starch any fabric for any reason because of allergies. I don't think I have pressed layer cakes, either.
However, the three things that really make any block I sew finish askew are:
1) inconsistent 1/4 inch seams
2) Pulling the fabric away from you while sewing stretches the fabric. I have been very guilty of this error on many occasions, but have finally learned to let the feed dogs move the fabric, while I provide a little gentle guidance. What has helped me immensely with this problem is that I finally learned to STOP looking at the needle as I sew - it only goes up and down when sewing a 1/4 inch seam! Instead watch/guide the fabric as it is feeds under the presser foot. Guiding the fabric keeps the seam a consistent 1/4 inch. A 1/4 inch presser foot helps a lot, too.
3) when I get to the end of a seam, I often let go of the fabric and the feed dogs pull the fabrics to the left. which narrows the 1/4 inch seam. I know it when I'm doing it, but seem helpless to prevent it about half the time. I think this has become an inattention thing - something is on my mind (or I'm tired) and my focus is off. No matter - I have to fix it.
Good luck to you on the rest of your quilting adventures!
Layer cakes that I have used have been true to size enough that Ididn't think they needed squaring. I do not starch any fabric for any reason because of allergies. I don't think I have pressed layer cakes, either.
However, the three things that really make any block I sew finish askew are:
1) inconsistent 1/4 inch seams
2) Pulling the fabric away from you while sewing stretches the fabric. I have been very guilty of this error on many occasions, but have finally learned to let the feed dogs move the fabric, while I provide a little gentle guidance. What has helped me immensely with this problem is that I finally learned to STOP looking at the needle as I sew - it only goes up and down when sewing a 1/4 inch seam! Instead watch/guide the fabric as it is feeds under the presser foot. Guiding the fabric keeps the seam a consistent 1/4 inch. A 1/4 inch presser foot helps a lot, too.
3) when I get to the end of a seam, I often let go of the fabric and the feed dogs pull the fabrics to the left. which narrows the 1/4 inch seam. I know it when I'm doing it, but seem helpless to prevent it about half the time. I think this has become an inattention thing - something is on my mind (or I'm tired) and my focus is off. No matter - I have to fix it.
Good luck to you on the rest of your quilting adventures!
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