I am working on a block called snail trail. This is the first time I have tried working with triangles. I have put together the block pulled it apart and put it back together and I can't seem to get it to measure 9.5 inches. the squares were cut to size I checked twice before I cut the half trianagles. If you know the block it starts with 4 squares and builds squares in squares by adding the triangles. Is there some way to work the math to find out what each square should measure. That might help my final block measure up.

here is a link to the block.
http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltpa...ails_trail.htm

Thanks! I hope I explained this correctly.

The easiest way I've found to do triangles is to cut the 2 colors you want one inch larger than the size of the square, put the 2 squares together, mark diagonally, then sew 1/4 inch on each side of the mark, then cut on the mark line, thus you have 2 half square triangles without sewing on the bias edge, press, trim to the required size. Hope this helps.Please feel free to PM me if it's not clear.

When you cut the square into two triangles BEFORE sewing the two colors together, you are dealing with the bias which is stretchy and tends to distort the HST.

I agree with pocoelli to sew the pieces oversize and cut them down to size.

Thanks for your responses. That would work if I were sewing the triangles in to pairs. I am going to try and attach a copy of the block.
It is a square set on points 4 times.

I am trying to back into what each square would measure before the setting triangles are added.

Thanks!!

Are you planning on making a full quilt with this pattern?

Before I tackle the math, I need a glass of wine.

Why is it necessary for the block to be exactly 9 1/2"? If all the squares are the same size (whatever that size is), you should be OK. (Wishful thinker here :D )

Thimblebug, I was hoping to make this in a 10 inch block and used My Design wizard and the block came out like crap. I then pulled out the orginal pattern and tried a block with that and again crap. I was hoping there was a simple math formula I use. I am hoping for something between a 10-12 inch block.

Mad quilter - if you have a formula I would be glad to takel it.

I think I am just going to start and chain sew it making sure all the blocks match before adding the next layer. If I make the squares for the triangles larger then they need to be I should be able to trim them to match. I think I will start fresh in the morning.

When I did the snail's trail blocks, I drew them out on graph paper first and measured the resulting squares by hand (no math). Be sure you don't include the 1/4" seam allowance in the drawing but add it to the resulting squares when you cut.

Judy

Quilting G, don't know if this would apply or not, but it reminded me of when I was trying to make the easiest pattern - Warm Wishes. I took apart more seams then I kept, wrote and asked for help on here! Apparently it was my seam allowances! Even though they all measured 1/4, I finally figured out some I had to do a bit smaller.
I can't remember who now, on here, made one up in stages, and gave me the measurements of each stage - which helped tremendously!!
My finished quilt is the one in pictures - Aiden's.
So hang in there, and hopefully someone can figure out the measurements for you too!
:-)

Basically, that looks like a square in a square.

http://www.squareinasquare.com/

There is a video at that site that shows how to use the ruler. Perhaps if you watch the video of that technique you will get an idea of how to sew a triangle onto the side of the square and then trim it to fit.

http://www.quilterscache.com/S/SquareinSquareBlock.html

This lady has a technique that will help you immensely, I am thinking.
Hope these help. At least with the quilterscache.com ... you will be able to use what you have without an extra expenditure for another ruler.