Squaring up a 9 patch?
#11
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,581
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I have just completed a nine patch top. I was careful in cutting, used aurifil thread, and a scant 1/4" seam. I still had about four blocks that were too small when measuring for 6 1/2 inches to be a final 6" block. I just made four more blocks and they were fine. (I always buy a little extra fabric.) I would like to know the secret for perfect blocks every time.
#12
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That is what the square up rulers are for. They keep the diagonal straight for trimming. You want the diagonals to go right through the center square diagonally, point to point. Most square OmniGrid rulers have this feature as does those That Patchwork Place square up rulers. Try it on paper or scraps first if you aren't sure and want to practice.
#13
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It doesn't seem to matter how accurate I think I am. If I'm ironing the seam allownance to the dark side, it throws the size off. If the fabrics aren't the same weight it's a problem. Sometimes the pattern isn't on the straight of grain so the patch has some bias to it when I fussy cut it and that also throws the size off. Starching doesn't seem to help either. I just have a block that is stiff and the wrong size as well.
I've finally have made peace with myself and acknowledge that I am not a perfect quilter and that's ok. If you are planning to compete with your quilt...that's a different story. You might see if you can get an experienced quilter to watch what you are doing and perhaps spot the problem for you.
I've finally have made peace with myself and acknowledge that I am not a perfect quilter and that's ok. If you are planning to compete with your quilt...that's a different story. You might see if you can get an experienced quilter to watch what you are doing and perhaps spot the problem for you.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 673
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This will probably win the Dumb Comment of the Day award but, why be square? If you've measured, cut and sewn correctly and carefully, isn't the slight variation a characteristic of something made by a HUMAN? A little irregularity is a nice thing, and in a large quilt with many pieces, tends to balance itself out, doesn't it? Note:
James' Law: A binding will go around a quilt of any shape.
James' Law: A binding will go around a quilt of any shape.
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 218
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Draw your block out on graft paper with the 2" finished block in the center and the 2-1/4" blocks on the outside and see where you are going wrong. Then make a plastic template that you can put on top of your blocks to square. At this point my husband makes me an acrylic template with those line marks and I then use that to square up the blocks. Especially necessary when you are making small blocks.
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jozefow, Poland
Posts: 4,474
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This will probably win the Dumb Comment of the Day award but, why be square? If you've measured, cut and sewn correctly and carefully, isn't the slight variation a characteristic of something made by a HUMAN? A little irregularity is a nice thing, and in a large quilt with many pieces, tends to balance itself out, doesn't it? Note:
James' Law: A binding will go around a quilt of any shape.
James' Law: A binding will go around a quilt of any shape.
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#18
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This will probably win the Dumb Comment of the Day award but, why be square? If you've measured, cut and sewn correctly and carefully, isn't the slight variation a characteristic of something made by a HUMAN? A little irregularity is a nice thing, and in a large quilt with many pieces, tends to balance itself out, doesn't it? Note:
James' Law: A binding will go around a quilt of any shape.
James' Law: A binding will go around a quilt of any shape.
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
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Is there an easy way to do this? I have checked on YouTube, but I don't
see what I,m looking for. I am sewing 2 1/2" squares together to make a 9
patch but if I square it up I,m cutting of the squares all around and the one
in the center is the only one left that is the correct size, (2") is in the middle.
What is the answer for this? Thanks in advance.
Elaine
see what I,m looking for. I am sewing 2 1/2" squares together to make a 9
patch but if I square it up I,m cutting of the squares all around and the one
in the center is the only one left that is the correct size, (2") is in the middle.
What is the answer for this? Thanks in advance.
Elaine
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