pippi2077

I have a Best Blocks magazine that I want to make some blocks out of. It has templates/diagrams in it.
It says "Add 1/4" seam allowance to patch templates. Rotary diagrams already include seam allowance."
So do I add the 1/4" seam allowance to all sides or not?

abc123retired

Yes, all the sides will be seamed and so will need a seam allowance to work out to the right size.

karen924

If you use the templates, you need to add the 1/4" seam allowance to all sides. If you follow the rotary instructions, you will not have to add seam allowances. I'm a rotary cutter my self, I only use templates if I'm fussy cutting. Good Luck!

LeslieFrost

I agree that these type of instructions are very confusing. This pattern sounds like it must have BOTH a line drawing of template pieces AND a list of rotary cutting instructions. If you copy and cut out the template pieces, and use them to mark on the back of your fabric before you cut,then you must add the 1/4" seam allowance to each piece -- the line drawing is showing you the finished sizes of each part of the block.

On the other hand, if you follow the list of rotary cutting instructions, just follow them and don't add any seam allowance.

Does that help?

pippi2077

Yes, it does. Some of the templates have no measurements, so I will be copying them and adding the 1/4" allowance to all sides.

davis2se

I have never understood why templates are not designed and printed with the 1/4 inch already included. Seems to me that would make projects much less confusing and less prone to error.

bearisgray

Hand-quilters sew on the traced outlines of the templates/pattern pieces.

I found it useful/helpful to make two templates for hand-piecing pieces. One to cut around and another to trace around for the stitching lines.

pls1946

Interesting Information....thanks for posting!