Originally Posted by bearisgray
Originally Posted by kapatt
I just wanted to add that when you sew on your quilt, you should first do a test-strip to make sure that your settings on your sewing machine, your cutting and your pressing are accurate. To do that, you should cut two or three pieces of strips equal width, sew them together and then press them. See if the test strips come out at the right width. If they don't, then make the adjustments you need to make so that they are accurate.
Example...take three 2" strips and sew them side-by-side. After ironing they should measure out to 5 1/2 inches wide.
Because of all of life's happenings, it can take me forever to finish a quilt. I make periodic test-strips throughout my quilt making process just because the settings can be messed with or changed without me realizing it.
I think one would be aiming for a five inch wide piece, not a 5.5 inch piece.
Well, it depends on the proportions that one would need or want to achieve to make something 5 1/2", although it is a little easier to just keep the finished piece after seam allowances at 5". For example, the quilt I am working on right now, drawn out proportionally on CAD, required a 1-1/2" strip at a certain point, with another 1/2" to add after that border as well. It solely depends on the quilter and the intentions they have.