Tropical

I am making pinwheels by the Missouri Quilt Company method with charm pack sized pieces of fabric. My finished block is square. But, when I measure it, it is 5 1/2 inches one way and only 5 1/4 inches the other way. So how can it be square overall? What am I doing wrong?
I will be grateful for any assistance because I am creating my own pattern for a baby quilt for donation. Thanks. :)

LyndaOH

How are you determining it's square? If it's 5 1/2" one way and 5 1/4" the other, than it is not square.

I would trim each pinwheel to 5 1/4" square, making sure that the center seams are at the 2 5/8" mark and that the diagonal seams are right at the corners.

Hope this helps!

Lynda

Tropical

I know what you mean, but when I measure on the diagonal for square, the measurements come out the same. When I use a square ruler - same thing. That just isn't right somwhow. I am starting and ending on the same numbers on the ruler. Thanks for the cutting down idea. :)

lvaughan

I am making a pinwheel quilt right now using 5" charms. I trim them down slightly to get 4 1/2" squares. Don't know how you are coming out with such big squares.

LyndaOH

I see what you're saying. I'm not sure why or how that could happen. I guess the safest thing to do is to trim it down.

LyndaOH

The pinwheels come out bigger than 5" because you use two 5" squares for each pinwheel.

nativetexan

maybe you need to press one seam open. you'd be surprised how much difference that can make.
good luck.

thimblebug6000

One other thing, are the charm squares all a consistent 5"when you start out?

Glassquilt

A - Square has four equal angles and four equal sides
.....The diagonals are the same length

B - Rectangle has four equal angles, two equal sides that are short & two equal sides that are long
.....The diagonals are the same length

C - Parallelogram has two angles that are smaller than 90deg & two that are bigger than 90 deg
.....Two equal sides that are short & two equal sides that are long
.....The diagonals are not the same length

The term square applied to A is a noun
The term square applied to B is an adjective. This "square" is used often in the building trade.
The term square cannot be applied to C

Your block as measured (5 1/2 inches one way and only 5 1/4 inches the other ) is a rectangle with equal diagonals.

Tropical

Thanks for this idea. I tried it and it helped.