Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Do You Make A Sample Square ? >

Do You Make A Sample Square ?

Do You Make A Sample Square ?

Old 11-21-2010, 02:18 AM
  #1  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
plainpat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mid-West
Posts: 3,838
Default

I do because a long time ago, I made a throw & nothing matched in size.Had to cut the blocks down,add sashing etc.I prob had to cut the sashing down too, as I was pretty new.
There are several reasons for making a sample square.With blocks that all have to be turned/sewn in a certain order,you check each against the sample.Think pinwheels & log cabins.
Checking the block size can save hrs of work.
If the sample is good to go...it's stuck right in front of my machine.If not, it goes into my pile of orphan blocks :-)that will someday be sewn together & given away.

The main reason being sure I want to spend the time/work /fabric making that quilt.When it comes down to the nitty gritty,often times the answer is no.The block speaks to me & that alone has saved me buying a ton of fabric.You would think just seeing a pic of a quilt would work..& sometimes it does, but making a sample block works best for me.
plainpat is offline  
Old 11-21-2010, 02:26 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
FortMyers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Fort Myers, Florida
Posts: 328
Default

It depends on how complicated the block is.
FortMyers is offline  
Old 11-21-2010, 02:48 AM
  #3  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 11,375
Default

I will from now on... If I had made a sample block of the ugly quilt I am making, I wouldn't be making it. It is all cut out, so I don't have any other option than to finish it. I know the reasons it is ugly to me though. #1 It is too dark for my taste. #2 There isn't enough contrast for my taste. I just hope someone will fall in love with and just have to have it. HOPE! HOPE! HOPE!
Sadiemae is offline  
Old 11-21-2010, 03:09 AM
  #4  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
plainpat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mid-West
Posts: 3,838
Default

Think every quilt is loved by someone, sooner or later.I can hardly force myself to work on a quilt I don't like,for whatever reason.If I make 3-4 blocks & don't like it,that's my limit for sure....but took too long to learn it.:-(

Originally Posted by Sadiemae
I will from now on... If I had made a sample block of the ugly quilt I am making, I wouldn't be making it. It is all cut out, so I don't have any other option than to finish it. I know the reasons it is ugly to me though. #1 It is too dark for my taste. #2 There isn't enough contrast for my taste. I just hope someone will fall in love with and just have to have it. HOPE! HOPE! HOPE!
plainpat is offline  
Old 11-21-2010, 03:18 AM
  #5  
Super Member
 
quiltmaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: In Hiding
Posts: 1,210
Default

I always do a sample block/s so I can determine whether I like the colors and look of what my quilt will be when finished. It saves a lot of frustration/heartache if I decide I don't like it.
quiltmaker is offline  
Old 11-21-2010, 03:22 AM
  #6  
Super Member
 
eparys's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 2,944
Default

I do but not for size. I do it to decide how to press seams - especially in a complicated block.
eparys is offline  
Old 11-21-2010, 03:45 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Kansas City area USA
Posts: 421
Default

If a pattern looks to be quite challenging, I will make 4-6 blocks first....enough to get the hang of it and see if I like it enough to finish a full quilt and then go ahead and cut more or if I'm not really in love with it, I can make those few blocks up into a small dolly quilt or a table runner.

Jodi in Leavenworth
jodimarie is offline  
Old 11-21-2010, 04:51 AM
  #8  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,370
Default

Originally Posted by eparys
I do but not for size. I do it to decide how to press seams - especially in a complicated block.
Sometimes I'll even piece a complicated block by hand to figure out how to press the seams.
bearisgray is offline  
Old 11-21-2010, 05:23 AM
  #9  
Super Member
 
AlwaysQuilting's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,665
Default

I don't make fabric samples.
I draw the whole quilt onto graph paper with colored pencils.
I can try out block sizes, color placement and shades this way.
I assign a measurement to each sq. of the graph, such as all red colored sqs equal 1", all yellows equal 3.5" etc.
This is just easier for me.
AlwaysQuilting is offline  
Old 11-21-2010, 05:45 AM
  #10  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 17,068
Default

Originally Posted by Sadiemae
I will from now on... If I had made a sample block of the ugly quilt I am making, I wouldn't be making it. It is all cut out, so I don't have any other option than to finish it. I know the reasons it is ugly to me though. #1 It is too dark for my taste. #2 There isn't enough contrast for my taste. I just hope someone will fall in love with and just have to have it. HOPE! HOPE! HOPE!
Sadiemae, I am laughing as I read this! You're so cute and funny :D
To answer the question, no I don't but probably should!
sueisallaboutquilts is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JudyMN
Main
4
10-23-2013 03:09 PM
susaninkansas
Main
13
10-15-2012 09:11 AM
dhanke
Pictures
37
06-29-2012 10:46 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