gigi712

How do I trim my blocks from 8 1/2" to 8" keeping in mind that not all of them are exactly 8 1/2" I have to take the same amount off of each side because there's a red piece diagonally on the corners that have to be the same size because they make X's throught the quilt. I tried taking off 1/2 off each side and it's too small. Then took a 1/4" off and it's too small. I even tried taking off 3/8" and that didn't work either. If anybody understands this, I could use some help before I pull the rest of my hair out. TIA

katsbmr

I would take an 8 1/2" square ruler, place it so two sides can be evenly cut, using the diagonal mark on ruler. Trim these, then slide to opposite corner and trim to 8" mark.

cmw0829

You want to trim off only what's needed to result in an 8" square. You're right, it won't necessarily be the same amount on every block.

If you have a square up ruler, that would be easiest. Mark it with tape at the 8" markings. Then lay over the block with the center point in the middle of the square. Use the diagonals on the ruler to point toward the corners. Before you start trimming, make sure that you are happy with what is showing in the marked off 8" square. You might also find some reference points and put tape on the points so it will be easier to use the ruler on the next square.

Then trim around two edges of two sides of the ruler. When done with the first two sides, turn your ruler so that the taped edges are directly over the trimmed edges. Then trim the other two sides.

I know I'm not explaining this well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdUTLkNc0po
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuqauFfA5xk

Try watching these. Or enter Squaring Up Your Blocks in youtube.

Good luck.

Tartan

Do you have an 8 inch square ruler? If you do, I would use painter's or masking tape to isolate a central feature of your block and use that to center the ruler for trimming your block. Remember, if all else fails, uneven blocks can be set "wonky" so the size difference is masked.

nativetexan

place ruler so it is on one corner at 8 1/4 inch measurement. trim two sides. then turn 180 degrees and place ruler at 8 inch and trim off the remaining 1/4 of other two sides.

kathy

are you sure you want to trim it to 8"?, then when you sew it into the quilt you will loose another 1/2" and they will be 7-1/2" blocks (speaking from experience here)

bearisgray

I'm also wondering - did the instructions say - make an 8-1/2 inch block that will be 8 inches 'finished' size??????

If so - the block should be 8-1/2 inches - and then AFTER IT IS SEWN IN PLACE - what you will see from the top will be 8 inches? And that is what is called the 'finished size' - what you see of the block from the RIGHT SIDE of the top after it has been sewn to the other components.

Jingle

You have gotten very good help, if you follow the two ahead of me you should be right.

gigi712

Actually they were supposed to be 8 1/2", but no matter what I did they came up short, so I'm having to make the blocks to 8" finished to 7 1/2.

I looked the world over for an 8" ruler and all I could find is an 8 1/2". I'll try using that one, but I'm not sure I quite understand. I'll look @ those videos, too.

I've tried cutting 1/4" off each side and it was too small. Tks for all your responses. Really appreciate it.