Thread: I hope I haven't messed up with this!

i'm planning to make a lot of blocks. I just love the traditional old blocks made with the civil war repro fabrics. Yep, I think there will be HST for sure. Thanks for any suggestions anyone may want to offer!

I do the very same thing. Always cutting an 1/8 inch makes things small.

Originally Posted by Jingle

I don't cut any blocks with 1/8". I would round up to the nearest whole number and trim to the size you need. In my opinion it will look neater.

I never cut 1/8" as the other QB members have said. I always cut the closest whole number up and then after pressing I can trim to the size I need. Everyone's 1/4" is different so cutting a little bigger helps. Good Luck on this project-I have the book and I too love the Civil War fabrics.

Originally Posted by Jordan

I never cut 1/8" as the other QB members have said. I always cut the closest whole number up and then after pressing I can trim to the size I need. Everyone's 1/4" is different so cutting a little bigger helps. Good Luck on this project-I have the book and I too love the Civil War fabrics.

So then it's okay to cut a 3 7/8" square up to 4" and it will work putting it with the other pieces even if they are not in 1/8" increments? Have never done this type of piecing before and certainly don't want to mess up this fabulous civil war repro fabric. I guess I'm making this too difficult, huh? Thanks so much!

For HST I do as others do and measure up and trim. I think we are missing the point here however with her question as while there may be some HST in the quilt there are other blocks that use the 1/8" increment measurement. Personally I have not made blocks using 1/8" increment measurements other than I frequently use 3/8" seam allowance on my bindings because that is the width of my presser foot. Typically, quilting and patterns don't use 1/8" increments.

If I were doing this quilt I would more than likely follow the pattern and tediously cut out the pieces as the pattern maker has directed. She probably did this for a reason that isn't readily apparent to all of us. I think if you don't, you will more than likely run into fitting blocks together problems far greater than the aggravation of measuring 1/8". I would mark my ruler with a thin strip of painters tape so I could readily find my measurement especially if a particular measurement was used frequently. It shouldn't be that much more difficult to cut something 3 7/8" than 4 if your lines are clear when measuring. Take your time and enjoy the journey. Think of how much you are going to cherish the quilt when it's done.

Originally Posted by citruscountyquilter

For HST I do as others do and measure up and trim. I think we are missing the point here however with her question as while there may be some HST in the quilt there are other blocks that use the 1/8" increment measurement. Personally I have not made blocks using 1/8" increment measurements other than I frequently use 3/8" seam allowance on my bindings because that is the width of my presser foot. Typically, quilting and patterns don't use 1/8" increments.

If I were doing this quilt I would more than likely follow the pattern and tediously cut out the pieces as the pattern maker has directed. She probably did this for a reason that isn't readily apparent to all of us. I think if you don't, you will more than likely run into fitting blocks together problems far greater than the aggravation of measuring 1/8". I would mark my ruler with a thin strip of painters tape so I could readily find my measurement especially if a particular measurement was used frequently. It shouldn't be that much more difficult to cut something 3 7/8" than 4 if your lines are clear when measuring. Take your time and enjoy the journey. Think of how much you are going to cherish the quilt when it's done.

i tend to agree with you about cutting to the exact measurement. I don't know that if you round up and then trim down you will match the other piece's measurement. Does that make sense? Hard to describe what I mean. I think I will cut to her measurements in order to be more accurate with the piecing. Thanks so much to all who have offered expert advice and opinions as well. I do love this board!! Answers ALL my questions. Love you guys!