Using Your Ruler, Squaring Up a Block
#11
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 15,368
I have a ruler that is actually 14" x 14". The cutting area is 12" x 12" with 1/2" slots for cutting. It has a diagonal
line from each corner that crosses in the middle. The only draw back with this ruler is that you have to put your finger on the part of the ruler close to where you are cutting (the slit befor the cut) to keep the plastic of the ruler from moving. But I have learned to do it right and I love it.
line from each corner that crosses in the middle. The only draw back with this ruler is that you have to put your finger on the part of the ruler close to where you are cutting (the slit befor the cut) to keep the plastic of the ruler from moving. But I have learned to do it right and I love it.
#12
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,965
I have a square ruler for every size of unfinished quilt blocks I make. I like to put the exact size on the square and it's so simple to see exactly what needs to be trimmed. If the block is smaller then the ruler I know I messed up somewhere. My biggest square is 20 1/2" and my smallest is 2 1/2". I seem to use the 12 1/2" and 8 1/2" the most. Olfa has a 7 1/2" square ruler that I have used more then I thought I would.
I have both sizes of the Block Maker ruler and it is essential for squaring up blocks when I have to use the blocks made for a quilt, example Friendship or Swap blocks.
I have both sizes of the Block Maker ruler and it is essential for squaring up blocks when I have to use the blocks made for a quilt, example Friendship or Swap blocks.
Last edited by Onebyone; 03-18-2015 at 05:09 AM.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,369
I don't care how hard I try, or what size seam I use, 1/4" or scant 1/4", my squares NEVER turn out to be the size they're suppose to be. For example, right now I'm in the process of making snowball squares out of 5" charms. Most, but not all, measure 5", some however, are 4-1/2", or 4-3/4" square. I finally gave up trying to be so accurate. If not trimming a block to the perfect size is good enough for Fons and Porter, it's good enough for me!
This is kind of my experience, too. And I think I'm getting worse instead of better. When I made my first quilt my blocks seemed to be uniform....or maybe I was just too ignorant to know they weren't....but in any case they went together well, and that quilt turned out fine.
My practice now is to square up each block but in my current project I've realized I am lax in making them all the same size. I think I'm reluctant to cut off too much or am too lazy to find the smallest block and make sure all the others are the same size. But when sewing these together, with sashing, it shows if they are different sizes. I'm fighting that right now in the little, sans jars, "I Spy" I'm making. I can see that some are "off" a bit and it annoys the heck out of me.....but not enough to take it all apart and recut all those little blocks. I just resolve to know-- and do--better next time!
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Kenai, Alaska
Posts: 1,150
I have also found this to be a problem. I was supposed to cut charms in quarters to make 2.5" squares and had to add a border to the quilt to come out to the required size.
#15
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,965
The size of your thread makes a big difference in the size of your blocks. If you are using 50wt 3 ply in top and bottom that is a very thick seam and will make your block smaller when seams are pressed to one side. Thread and pressing are the two major issues for blocks not to be the right size.
#16
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
Posts: 4,854
On this log cabin block, I found that using the 3/4" mark helpful to measure the width of the last 2 "logs." There is a small dot in the corner that matches up with the point where those logs meet up. It's just one more mark to go off of. I also use the 45 degree diagonal line.
~ Cindy
#18
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
Posts: 4,854
I have a ruler that is actually 14" x 14". The cutting area is 12" x 12" with 1/2" slots for cutting. It has a diagonal
line from each corner that crosses in the middle. The only draw back with this ruler is that you have to put your finger on the part of the ruler close to where you are cutting (the slit befor the cut) to keep the plastic of the ruler from moving. But I have learned to do it right and I love it.
line from each corner that crosses in the middle. The only draw back with this ruler is that you have to put your finger on the part of the ruler close to where you are cutting (the slit befor the cut) to keep the plastic of the ruler from moving. But I have learned to do it right and I love it.
#19
I don't have any trouble squaring up the blocks providing they are not too large. Recently I had to square up something to 18" and that was a problem for me as my largest square up ruler was 12.5".
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
lindamar
Main
18
09-20-2011 06:50 AM
craftybear
Links and Resources
5
07-08-2011 05:45 PM