BDawn

Trying to piece quilt top from direction in a old quilt magazine. My first of many mistakes
The directions state Sew block together in nine horizontal rows of 7 each

My rows do not line up. Should I expect this? Or how do I fix it?

I would like to make it into a full size quilt and as you can tell this will not do. How to turn it into a full size quilt.

Here it is I have only sewn one row together and would like to figure this out before advancing any further.

grammy Dwynn

BDawn ~ sorry you are having problems. First a few question ~ What size are the blocks? What size does the pattern say the quilt will be? Are you new to quilting.

I first will assume that your blocks are not the same size, that is a must to have things line up.

If you could share pictures that would also help us help you.

BDawn

Thank you grammy Dwynn... yes I am new to quilting. Block size is 9 1/2 it did not give a finished size but from picture it looked to be full size. I am going to walk away from computer and come back to try and post picture.

grammy Dwynn

Now you need to measure the block that you made, did they come up to 9.5 inches (or darn close, we are not perfect)? Also pinning at the 'intersections' is important.

If you cannot post pictures it is not life or death. Just takes more (longer) explanations on you part. In other words you need to give us a paragraph of explaining versus a sentence.

PaperPrincess

The blocks are not going to line up unless they are all close to the same size. Measure all your blocks. If they are all within an eight of an inch or so, you are all set, just pin the intersections as you go. If they vary a lot more than that, you have some decisions. One fix is to cut them all down to the size of the smallest block, however, this may impact the patchwork pattern, so you have to be careful. If just some of your blocks are too large or too small, you can unsew those and take a slightly smaller or larger seam.
There are 3 things that make your blocks accurate sizes:
1) accurate cutting and using the same ruler (or at least the same brand of ruler) for your whole project.
2) sewing with an accurate 1/4" seam for your whole project.
3) Careful pressing. You can distort your block if you iron instead of press, or you can press tiny creases where the seams are, which makes the block smaller.

irishrose

Did you square up each block to the desired size as you finished it? After pressing and before putting on the design wall.

Luv Quilts and Cats

Some great ideas here. I've learned to measure my blocks when done and make them all the same size, or near to as possible, using the smallest measuring block as my new measurement. Now my question, does using different rulers on the same project really make a difference? I have a 6 1/2 inch by 24 1/2 inch ruler that I love because of the 6 1/2inch measurement. My Omnigrid is only 6 inches with no 1/2 inch after and I find that a pain. Of course, the 6 1/2 inch ruler I love is a different brand. As long as I have been quilting and quilting with my friends none of of us has heard about using the same brand of ruler through a whole project.

dunster

My opinion on the rulers question (for what that's worth) is that all the rulers are accurate. However, our eyes may see the markings on different rulers a bit differently. Since a ruler has some thickness (about 1/8"), you really need to be right over the ruler when finding the point on the fabric that corresponds to any given measurement. If you are looking at the ruler from one side or the other, the point that you match up will be off. And it may be off a different amount, depending on the angle, the thickness of the ruler, or your ability to see the markings on it. I can't see the markings on some rulers as well as on others, and likewise I have a terrible time reading the markings on one of my mats (orange on gray - who thought that up?) If you're doing okay with any given assortment of rulers, don't worry about using just one brand. If you want to prove to yourself that they're all the same, or that one is different, line them up and check them out that way. I really think you'll find that they are all accurate - unless the edge has worn down and become uneven.

Prism99

Assuming your blocks vary in size no more than 1/2", the following should work.

Sew one horizontal row together. Sew the second horizontal row together. Pin the two rows together at each seam. If you get to one that is hugely variant, you can go to the sewing machine and take in a seam simply by sewing a larger seam right next to the seam that is too narrow (you do not have to take the old seam out when you do this). Once you have the two rows pinned together, sew the seam and ease or stretch to make sure the pins match. You probably do not want to have to ease in more than 1/4" per block.

A photo would help. Also measuring your blocks and giving us the smallest and largest measurement would help.

grammy Dwynn

irishrose ~ I do not mean to step on your toes. I have seen newbie quilters 'square up' the blocks when they are finished and whack away the points.

It is better if things are checked as we piece and double check that we have a 1/4" seam. Always press, not iron the seams.