How accurately do you trim up blocks?

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11-08-2011, 11:32 PM

#21

deemail

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.

11-08-2011, 11:44 PM

#22

quiltsRfun

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2008

Location: Utah

Posts: 8,845

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebecca_S

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.

Try to trim as accurately as possible. That being said, it will make a bigger difference if you're not as accurate on 3.5" blocks than it will with 13" blocks. Bigger blocks, fewer seams. A few threads off on many seams across the quilt adds up.

11-09-2011, 03:21 AM

#23

CarrieC

Senior Member

Join Date: Sep 2011

Location: Virginia

Posts: 811

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.

11-09-2011, 03:38 AM

#24

Quilt-Till-U-Wilt

Super Member

Join Date: Sep 2010

Location: MD

Posts: 1,060

I trim them to size. I've never had a quilt that turned out uneven.

11-09-2011, 03:55 AM

#25

teddysmom

Senior Member

Join Date: May 2010

Location: Stanley NC

Posts: 981

I try to be as accurate as I can. I found it can make a big difference when sewing squares together. I put too much work into my hand piecing to NOT do all I can to make sure everything lines up right.

11-09-2011, 05:32 AM

#26

marthe brault-hunt

Senior Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Posts: 416

I'll take accuracy over saving time

11-09-2011, 05:43 AM

#27

tropit

Super Member

Join Date: Sep 2011

Location: Mendocino Coast, CA

Posts: 4,825

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

11-09-2011, 06:24 AM

#28

Rose Marie

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.