Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Do blocks need to be squared? >
  • Do blocks need to be squared?

  • Do blocks need to be squared?

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 09-27-2011, 01:03 PM
      #1  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    hensandhollyhocks's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2011
    Location: Oklahoma
    Posts: 811
    Default

    Hi! I am on my second project, a twin size quilt I am making from $1 a yard fabrics (good deal). My first project was a wall hanging that isn't getting hung! My question is...do my blocks need to be squared before I put them together? There will be no sashing and I am still debating a border?

    Thanks!
    Attached Thumbnails attachment-263245.jpe  
    hensandhollyhocks is offline  
    Old 09-27-2011, 01:06 PM
      #2  
    Power Poster
     
    cjomomma's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2010
    Location: Murray, Ky. Looking for a nice cushy pillow to rest my head on!
    Posts: 14,022
    Default

    It helps to keep everything straight when assembling the whole quilt. Let me be the first to admit that I don't always square mine up. :-)
    cjomomma is offline  
    Old 09-27-2011, 01:10 PM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    leatheflea's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: martinsville Indiana
    Posts: 4,461
    Default

    I second what cjomomma said.
    leatheflea is offline  
    Old 09-27-2011, 01:11 PM
      #4  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: Hamburg,Western New York State
    Posts: 4,856
    Default

    I usually square my blocks. In the case of your quilt, if they are fairly even (within an eighth of an inch) I would leave them, as you will have plenty of opportunities to even the edges when matching the seams. Hope that you remembered to press to the dark fabric which will make seam matching much easier. Also remember to put the block to be 'eased in' on the bottom as the feed dogs will help to take care of the excess. This quilt is going to be a 'big bargain'. I always like to put on a border, however small, to stop the 'action' of the quilt. Good Luck...it looks like you are on your way to a quilting future.
    trolleystation is offline  
    Old 09-27-2011, 01:42 PM
      #5  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Apr 2011
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 17,827
    Default

    The more that you square as you go, the squarer the end product will be .... and the better it will all look!

    It may not seem like it needs it, but even just a thread out on each block can add up to a totally wonky look at the end.

    It doesn't take long to do the job as you go ... and you'll be oh so much happier in the end!
    QuiltE is offline  
    Old 09-27-2011, 01:46 PM
      #6  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Feb 2009
    Location: Northern Michigan
    Posts: 12,861
    Default

    if you square up as you go you wind up with a quilt that goes together a heck of alot easier-than when each block is wonky=
    a little trimming here & there can make a world of difference in the finished product.
    also less head ache later-and it's easier to square it up a block at a time than the whole quilt when it's all together
    ckcowl is offline  
    Old 09-27-2011, 02:08 PM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2008
    Location: Utah
    Posts: 8,847
    Default

    When I first started quilting I didn't square my blocks and ended up with some pretty wonky quilts. Now I've seen the light and square as I go along. Shouldn't be a problem with the blocks you have but a word of warning: Be careful not to cut off points when squaring. The first time I squared I whacked the points off most of my triangles. YIKES! But we learn as we go and I'm still proud of that quilt.
    quiltsRfun is offline  
    Old 09-27-2011, 03:40 PM
      #8  
    Power Poster
     
    alikat110's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Oct 2010
    Location: Waco, Texas
    Posts: 15,138
    Default

    I started squaring each block and have been much happier with my results!!!
    alikat110 is offline  
    Old 09-27-2011, 03:45 PM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    Jennifer22206's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2010
    Location: state of confusion
    Posts: 4,541
    Default

    I do square, but only after I've made all the blocks that I need for the quilt. Then I see what I average for the measurements - and go with that one. That said, I always leave a small amount for fudge room.
    Jennifer22206 is offline  
    Old 09-27-2011, 07:17 PM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    ghostrider's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2009
    Posts: 4,688
    Default

    Squaring blocks, or even within the blocks, can make a world of difference later on in the process. It's an excellent habit to get in to from the beginning.
    ghostrider is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    jljack
    Pictures
    43
    06-22-2010 03:22 PM
    MarthaVA
    Main
    18
    05-29-2010 12:17 PM
    diogirl
    Main
    17
    09-13-2009 08:21 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter