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:? :( :( I 'mm really stumped, I cut 3 7/8 sq's and I don't get any 12' block I get 11 and 13 or 11 and 11 1/2 or 13and 11. Try as I may they aren't the same Now I cut 4 7/8 sq's and I got a 16" block BUT I made another one and it was Less than 16". Any way to cut them bigger or smaller?? I don't know.HELP!!!!
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show us a picture of one, please
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If all your components are identically sized, the difference is in your seam width. A few threads off on every block will add up to inches in the end.
You can make yourself crazy and pull out all the sewing, or do it the lazy way I do. Measure all blocks, take size of smallest. Make new seam in blocks (or more if wayyyy out) to adjust to new smaller block size. If you are committed to a certain measurement for the quilt, use sashing, borders, or more blocks to compensate. Eat chocolate and remind yourself that you are only human. |
I'm guessing inconsistent seam allowances (a problem I struggle with!). I've found two things helpful for me. I found a tool that has seam allowances with a hole at each measurement. It's red and looks like a ruler, about 6" long. I put my needle through the quarter inch hole, put the presser foot down, and then make sure the ruler is straight. Then I align a strip of thick mole skin along the edge of the ruler and try to position the needle so the edge of the presser foot is also at the quarter inch mark. It helps me keep my seams fairly consistent and helps me sew a little straighter than I tend to do free hand.
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I took a few pieces of templet plastic and stacked together with double back tape maked the quater " and placed on the line.
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It sounds like the seams vary in width, I had this problem when I first started before I got my 1/4 inch foot. I sized all the blocks to the smallest of all my blocks, I lost some of my points, and chalked it up to a learning experience. :)
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I have to add an AMEN to the quarter inch foot! I could never get it right, tried taping, tried marking the throat plate, but the quarter inch foot is wonderful. You can find one for your machine at Clotilde online, if you don't have one already.
Happier Quilting to you, Sharon |
:? :( I have a quarter inch foot and it doesn't help as it says scant quarter inch foot so I try and do it but to no avail. What now???
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I know I'm late on replying to this post but one reason I think the directions say scant 1/4 inch is because when you press the seam, a few threads get lost in the fold. Unless you press the seam open, one side of the seam will be a few threads smaller. Use alot of pieces or seams in your block, and you could have a much smaller block.
Hope this helps. Cheryl |
Originally Posted by Loretta
I share your thoughts on what a scant 1/4 inch means. I have been frustrated about this for a long time. Why do they do this? Can't a block just be designed for a regular 1/4 inch seam? I have had problems with the points on my stars coming out to the edge of the block and then when you sew the blocks together you will lose some of the point. It is so aggravating- cause you have to try to go a "few threads away from the 1/4 inch seam". Good luck with this ---- it is still bugging me! LOL
The alternative, for those of you that want to use the full 1/4 inch, would be some very weird cutting directions... to increase each piece by 1/16th or 1/8th of and inch would never work, So, to sew with a scant 1/4 works for everyone..if you learn to do this.. Some designers have gone to much larger cutting directions and you trim to the correct size after the seam has been sewn...but that only helps with the first pass, as you add pieces to the block , you are back into the same issue.. so, for those that dont get it.. a scant 1/4 inch seam is a few threads outside the quarter inch seam line. If you were to draw the seam line on your pieces, you would sew, not on the line, but off to the side of the mark, that is enough to be a scant 1/4 inch |
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