Squaring HST before or after block assembly?
03-31-2010, 10:29 AM
#1
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Location: Hampshire, UK
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I am making a pinwheel quilt for the first time and bought some precut turnovers, and then used a neutral with it that I cut myself. I starched all fabric before sewing and pinned everything, but somehow my two HST blocks aren't all square. I can't work out why, as I also used a 1/4" foot and was really careful I thought.
So, do I square up all the smaller squares now (which will take forever, as there are almost 100), or do I make the pinwheel blocks first and then square later?
Also, if I cut off the sides, will it all get too small, as I will have to cut all of them?
I should also mention that I don't have a squaring ruler and can't get one in the next week or so, so am attempting all this with my 6" by 12" ruler.
So, do I square up all the smaller squares now (which will take forever, as there are almost 100), or do I make the pinwheel blocks first and then square later?
Also, if I cut off the sides, will it all get too small, as I will have to cut all of them?
I should also mention that I don't have a squaring ruler and can't get one in the next week or so, so am attempting all this with my 6" by 12" ruler.
03-31-2010, 10:35 AM
#4
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I'll try to take some in a bit, but basically I sewed together two HST, one half is of the precut fabric, one half is ones I cut myself. Some of them are exactly the size and shape they should be (square 5.5"), but some are longer on one side or shorter, so not completely square.
I will sew four together to make a pinwheel, and am wondering whether I need to square the dozens of pieces now, or the larger pinwheel blocks later?
I will sew four together to make a pinwheel, and am wondering whether I need to square the dozens of pieces now, or the larger pinwheel blocks later?
03-31-2010, 10:44 AM
#6
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So here are photos. Sorry about the quality, it is getting dark here and the light in this room isn't that good.
Finished squares, some are good, some wonky
[ATTACH=CONFIG]38788[/ATTACH]
This is what they would be if I put them in pinwheels
[ATTACH=CONFIG]39264[/ATTACH]
03-31-2010, 10:47 AM
#7
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Location: New York
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Take your ruler and line the diagonal line that runs across it on your seam line and cut it to 5.5 square that way...does this make sense? It may look like it will line up right placed that way but a lot of times it will not
Hugs
April
Hugs
April
03-31-2010, 10:58 AM
#8
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press them and trim if necessary to the exact size each hst should be and then when sewn into your pinwheel block, the block should be correct size. trimming individually is best using your 45 degree line on your ruler so the seams will be in the corners where they belong and not get cut off unevenly.
one reason to make hst's larger at first.
one reason to make hst's larger at first.
03-31-2010, 11:02 AM
#10
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To make sure your points are where they should be pay attention to the corners that the seam line is evenly between both fabrics and the seam comes to the point. If you have a bit more on one side or the other of your seam you will lose the point when you join blocks.
I would trim them now also. You have more room to make them accurate here than later.
I would trim them now also. You have more room to make them accurate here than later.
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