Originally Posted by
Nance
What am I doing wrong? It seems like some of the white strips are too short and shouldn't the block finish @9"? (6 x 1 1/2 + SA = 9 1/2) I must be missing something. I like the block and have plenty of scraps, but it just isn't working. Thanks.
Your pieced block = 9" but you must subtract 1/2" when joining blocks, so your final block size will be 8.5". All of my blocks come out at 8.5" exactly. I have a 1/4" foot on my machine. You may have cut the strips wrong. Make sure they are the 3.5, 5, 6, and 7.5 inch lengths. This is what you should have at each step of the way:
* the 4P fin. @ 3x3
*add the white strip; next it fin. @ 4.5
*add the white strip; next it fin. @ 4.25 x 4.50
*add 3 pc. scrappy; next it fin. @ 4.50 x 5.75
*next it finishes at 6x6
*add the white strip; next it fin. @ 5.75 x 7.25
*add white strip; fin. @ 7.25 x 7.25
*add scrappy strip; fin. @ 8.50
*add last scrappy strip; fin. @ 8.5 x 8.5 (when blocks are sewn together)
If your strips seem too short, you are not taking a full 1/4" off. So sorry you are having trouble. Check to see if your block finishes at the guideline above throughout the piecing.
Hope this works for you, Nance!! Let me know if you need any add'l help! You will love it when all the blocks come out right and are joined together! Please don't give up.
p.s. 6x1.5 = 9 (not 9.5 and you've already allowed for the SA so you can't add it in again)
