How accurately do you trim up blocks?
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lived in San Diego now retired in Eagar, AZ.
Posts: 887
First, I make all my HSTs necessary, all cut a fraction larger than they need to be...then i press and trim all of them. Then I set all pcs tog, including the HSTs, now I square up all the blocks, and lastly, i measure the quilt in 3 places, use the middle measurement to go by for borders and then square that up...it is totally worth it, and if you have ever tried to quilt a quilt with ripples and bumps and gathers everywhere, you will know why.
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,847
I recently made a set of 13" blocks and only trimmed those that were off by 1/8" or more. It saved a lot of time to not trim the ones that were only off a few threads but I don't know if it will lead to too much inaccuracy in the finished top, which is not assembled yet. My previous top had 3.5" blocks and those I trimmed every block and the top came out square/even.
#23
I agree with most of you - I trim as close as I can, every block. I've made a large quilt out of 6" blocks, didn't trim them all and I paid for it. I think I used up one whole seam ripper on that quilt alone! The little bits do add up.
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
Posts: 5,007
I like to press, starch and trim to size. It makes the rest go so easily and I don't have to "nip 'n tuck" later on. I love patterns that account for shrinkage and trimming down to final block size. It's so considerate of them to think of those things.
~ Cindy
~ Cindy
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Clay Springs AZ
Posts: 3,229
Most blocks are made up of small blocks so trimming as you go makes a big difference. Thats what I like about Quilt in a Day patterns they tell you what size to trim each section of a block.
I never trim off points even if the block is not right, better to take a chance than cut off points.
I never trim off points even if the block is not right, better to take a chance than cut off points.
#29
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post