I picked a pattern for my block "twisting star" I printed out the pattern and the test box was larger than required. No problem, I made up the pattern on a plain piece of paper making my block 6x6 knowing I needed to put 4 of the pattern together. I cut apart the pieces, traced them on a new piece of paper, adding 1/4" to all sides. I sewed the piece together to form my TEST block and it is to big. What did I do wrong? How do I make my block come out to 61/2".

I would appreciate any suggestions.

what size did the block turn out to be?

maybe the seam allowance was already included in the cutting instructions and you added another 1/4" making it grow by 1/2" an inch plus put them together so 1" larger than needed to be? check the pattern to see if the seam allowance is already figured in. how much bigger was your test box? maybe if we could see the block pattern you are trying to use we could offer more suggestions...

it sounds like the seam allowance was already included. Try test block two I guess easy way to determine if that works OR you simply continue on and make all your blocks 6 1/2 no rules that say you cant do that.

This block is for the Chocolate/Raspberry block swap so I need to have it 12 1/2 inches. Four blocks added together to make the actual pattern. http://www.quilterscache.com/images6...rtemplates.gif this is the template I am trying to use. and the direction told me to add the 1/4" Boy I sure am learning a lot with this swap. I like it. I have never used templates before, I have always just cut the pieces or stripped piece. Learning learning learning.

Sorry, I am no help at all, but I would love to see it when you get it ready.

Can you fiddle with the print options to resize?

I'd love to see a picture of your block.

Thanks all for your suggestions. I did tweak the piece and have managed to come out with the correct size block. I posted it in the chocolate/raspberry block swap