Just how do you do it? Square the quilts up I mean.
 

Is there a trick to this? I squared up a quilt tonite. Oh my gosh, I thought I was a dork! I squared it up so many times, I am sure I lost inches, ok, the quilt did not me!! I use a L to square mine up but tonite I think my L was crooked. How do you do it? Any tips? I can't be the only one wondering this I am sure! Thanks in advance.

I haven't done it this way myself (yet), but using a laser square from the hardware store looks like an accurate way to do it. Here is a link:
http://www.dreamweavers-quilts.com/q...hort-tutorial/
I know it's for blocking a quilt, but it would work for squaring a quilt also.

For me, squaring a quilt sandwich by cutting has always been a bust. What I do instead is use a Sharpie black marker to mark the corners. That way, if I need to make adjustments, there is less squirming around of the quilt sandwich while I am working.

Unlike most people, I do not cut the edges before sewing on the binding. Instead, I use the Sharpie line as as virtual edge, lining up the cut edges of my binding strip with the Sharpie line. Only after the binding is sewn on do I finally cut the quilt edges to size. (My only caution about this is to be *very* careful at the corners; you do not want to nick the binding.) Doing it this way seems to keep my edges from stretching, and I also don't have to worry about a fabric edge folding under.

Here's an excellent video on how to square up a quilt. (No affiliation).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeYAO...eature=related

The youtube video is good but I'm having trouble even being square on the inner borders. Must improve. Love the laser thingy. Think it would just depress me if I used one as I'm so wonky.
Annie

Off topic, but what accent does this woman have? It sounds unusual to me.

Great idea. I hope I can remember that for the next time I'm finishing a quilt.

I think the most important thing is to square up the blocks as you sew. If I'm working on say a 12" finished block I square that up to 12 1/2" before adding it to another block or sashing. Once all blocks are sewn together I will take 3 measurements each way (middle, each side) (horizonal, vertical) to ensure they are correct before adding the first border. If your blocks are coming up SHORT, I fudge that with the sashing or the next block ( of course making sure the next block is correct first).

I found this same youtube video and it took all the problems away for me. It really is a great way to square a quilt and I've used it on my last several quilts and it works great.

I do it this way too. It pulls everything together as you go. It sure has made a difference for me since I've been doing it this way.

Thanks for posting this. I've learned a few things. Now can't wait to implement them. The video was great.