Another Opinion/Help Question
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,061
Do you know someone who has been quilting for a long time?? Ask if they will "adopt" you for an afternoon to see if they can figure out where you went wrong. If you still have those blocks can they be trimmed to match the smallest block so you can use them?? Accurate cutting and consistent sewing is important, but you still need to measure the finished blocks to see if they need a trim somewhere. Sounds like you are getting the hang of it but someone to watch how you do things and offer help can be priceless.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1,231
In the meanwhile, if you think your blocks are not cut well, and you can't trim them up to make it work...I would cut out a mylar template, without seam allowance..center it on your pieces, then trace around it..that will give you accurate sewing lines. It's a pain, but may be the only way to salvage your pieces.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 381
Advice
Do you know someone who has been quilting for a long time?? Ask if they will "adopt" you for an afternoon to see if they can figure out where you went wrong. If you still have those blocks can they be trimmed to match the smallest block so you can use them?? Accurate cutting and consistent sewing is important, but you still need to measure the finished blocks to see if they need a trim somewhere. Sounds like you are getting the hang of it but someone to watch how you do things and offer help can be priceless.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: mesa, arizona
Posts: 418
starch your pieces before trying to cut them again. you can starch a couple of times and straighten them as you iron. then recut at a slightly smaller size. the "purple daisy" has a video on preparing fabric. I always starch at last twice it really helps.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 726
Another thought is that the actual size of your is not important, the important thing is that your completed block is the right size. Double check to make sure that if staring with 2.5 pieces after stitching you have a piece that is exactly 4.5 inches. If not adjust your seam allowance until you do get exactly 4.5 inches.
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Tulsa, Ok
Posts: 4,582
I wonder if your pieces have been stretched out of shape after having been sewn and ripped out a couple of times? Combined with your original cutting may not have been accurate, I wonder if the best thing is to toss it and just move on. Chalk it up to a Learning experience. The frustration is just not worth it sometimes!
#20
I struggled with my very first quilt too.....it was a spiderweb star pattern. I took it apart several times, but was to stubborn to give up. Which was a good thing, if I had given up on it, I probably would have ditched quilting altogether. I agree with someone that said set them aside for now......you may just figure out what you were or were not doing that kept it from fitting. Sometimes I have to walk away and do work on a different one and then I go back to it and it's a "DUH" moment, when I figure it out and realize I was making it harder than it needed to be. Good luck with whatever you decide!
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