What size is that block?????????????
10-30-2012, 05:28 PM
#1
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Location: La Pine Oregon, USA
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What size is that block?????????????
Okay, folks, we need help with this. My sewing group makes a quilt every year to donate to the place where we use the conference room. They raffle it off. 
We all make 3-6 blocks and we combine it for a quilt. We said this year to make 12 1/2" blocks. In going thru the books and internet, I've made 3 blocks I can't use!!!! Others are having this problem, too! The instructions will say it's a 12" FINISHED block. To us, a FINISHED block is the block as it is in the FINISHED quilt. So, before putting it in the quilt, it should be 12 1/2". BUT we're ending up with 12" blocks that will be 11 1/2" when in the quilt.
What, in your opinion do they mean by FINISHED --- when IN the quilt, or BEFORE it's added to the quilt.
Oh, this is to get your opinion --- I solved MY problem by making 8" blocks and adding a mini sashing to make the block 12 1/2"
We all make 3-6 blocks and we combine it for a quilt. We said this year to make 12 1/2" blocks. In going thru the books and internet, I've made 3 blocks I can't use!!!! Others are having this problem, too! The instructions will say it's a 12" FINISHED block. To us, a FINISHED block is the block as it is in the FINISHED quilt. So, before putting it in the quilt, it should be 12 1/2". BUT we're ending up with 12" blocks that will be 11 1/2" when in the quilt. What, in your opinion do they mean by FINISHED --- when IN the quilt, or BEFORE it's added to the quilt.
Oh, this is to get your opinion --- I solved MY problem by making 8" blocks and adding a mini sashing to make the block 12 1/2"
10-30-2012, 05:37 PM
#3
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Bosque County, Texas
Posts: 2,709
I think a finished block is without the seam allowance, but not sewn into a quilt top. Once it's into a quilt top it's not longer a seperate block. A 12" finished block would be measured without considering the seam allowance.
10-30-2012, 05:56 PM
#6
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Posts: 4,134
12" FINISHED is 12.5" UNFINISHED (unless the person who wrote the pattern incorrectly used the term).
Which block is it?
If you're all ending up with 12" UNFINISHED blocks, maybe there is something wrong with the pattern.
It means that it would be an 11.5 FINISHED block, which is really uncommon - it doesn't easily fit in a regulary gridded block pattern 3x3, 4x4, etc.
If you add up the FINISHED sizes of your block components from the pattern, what total measurement do you come up with?
Which block is it?
If you're all ending up with 12" UNFINISHED blocks, maybe there is something wrong with the pattern.
It means that it would be an 11.5 FINISHED block, which is really uncommon - it doesn't easily fit in a regulary gridded block pattern 3x3, 4x4, etc.
If you add up the FINISHED sizes of your block components from the pattern, what total measurement do you come up with?
10-30-2012, 05:59 PM
#7
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Pacific Northwest
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My understanding 12" finished is when sewn into a quilt or whatever so when you finish constructing 1block prior to sewing anyrhing to it it should measure 12 1/2". I have found on quilter's cache that her patterns end up smaller so I move my needle to the right one click if you have a machine you can do that. If not check your seam allwance to make sure you are sewing a scant 1/4". This is what I have found in the past. Hope I helped
10-30-2012, 06:04 PM
#8
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
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In my opinion:
A 12 inch "finished" block measures 12.5 inches before it's sewn to anything else.
A 12.5 inch "unfinshed" block will have 12 inches showing (finished size) after it's been incorporated into the item and all the seam allowances are 'used up'
Are you all making the same block? Were the instructions (and measurements) checked before making more than one block?
Some instructions are just plain wrong!
A 12 inch "finished" block measures 12.5 inches before it's sewn to anything else.
A 12.5 inch "unfinshed" block will have 12 inches showing (finished size) after it's been incorporated into the item and all the seam allowances are 'used up'
Are you all making the same block? Were the instructions (and measurements) checked before making more than one block?
Some instructions are just plain wrong!
10-30-2012, 06:07 PM
#9
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Southwest Kansas
Posts: 4,820
Okay, folks, we need help with this. My sewing group makes a quilt every year to donate to the place where we use the conference room. They raffle it off. We all make 3-6 blocks and we combine it for a quilt. We said this year to make 12 1/2" blocks. In going thru the books and internet, I've made 3 blocks I can't use!!!! Others are having this problem, too! The instructions will say it's a 12" FINISHED block. To us, a FINISHED block is the block as it is in the FINISHED quilt. So, before putting it in the quilt, it should be 12 1/2". BUT we're ending up with 12" blocks that will be 11 1/2" when in the quilt.
What, in your opinion do they mean by FINISHED --- when IN the quilt, or BEFORE it's added to the quilt.
Oh, this is to get your opinion --- I solved MY problem by making 8" blocks and adding a mini sashing to make the block 12 1/2"
We all make 3-6 blocks and we combine it for a quilt. We said this year to make 12 1/2" blocks. In going thru the books and internet, I've made 3 blocks I can't use!!!! Others are having this problem, too! The instructions will say it's a 12" FINISHED block. To us, a FINISHED block is the block as it is in the FINISHED quilt. So, before putting it in the quilt, it should be 12 1/2". BUT we're ending up with 12" blocks that will be 11 1/2" when in the quilt. What, in your opinion do they mean by FINISHED --- when IN the quilt, or BEFORE it's added to the quilt.
Oh, this is to get your opinion --- I solved MY problem by making 8" blocks and adding a mini sashing to make the block 12 1/2" If it still has a raw edge it's not finished.
10-30-2012, 06:07 PM
#10
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Knot Merrill, Southern Indiana
Posts: 5,781
Agree ... if you are getting a "block" that is supposed to "finish" at 12" ... when you are done making the single block and ready to put it into a quilt that block should be 12.5".
For example to use a commonly used source - when you look at QuiltersCache and she indicates "this is a 12" block" - that BLOCK should be 12.5" when you are done making it.
I too have had problems with some of the free blocks on some sites so I have taken to either measuring the individual cuts in the pattern, or making the block in EQ7 to get the right measurements.
For example to use a commonly used source - when you look at QuiltersCache and she indicates "this is a 12" block" - that BLOCK should be 12.5" when you are done making it.
I too have had problems with some of the free blocks on some sites so I have taken to either measuring the individual cuts in the pattern, or making the block in EQ7 to get the right measurements.
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