I always come up short...why?
#1
I always come up short...why?
When I do a rail fence or another very similar pattern....when I turn the block around (vertically ), I am always short. Do you know why this happens? Sorry that I cannot post picture (another puzzlement).....not a good start this morning
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
I am guessing that you need to check your seam allowance. Here's a good reference:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...ce-t89997.html
With a rail fence, if you sew long strips then cut, rather than using the measurement in the pattern to cut the squares, measure the width of your sewn strip set and use that to cut the squares. If your seams are off this will compensate.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...ce-t89997.html
With a rail fence, if you sew long strips then cut, rather than using the measurement in the pattern to cut the squares, measure the width of your sewn strip set and use that to cut the squares. If your seams are off this will compensate.
Last edited by PaperPrincess; 01-17-2013 at 07:21 AM.
#3
I am guessing that you need to check your seam allowance. Here's a good reference:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...ce-t89997.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...ce-t89997.html
#4
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 125
It sounds like the problem is in your seam. Measure your finished strip -- If the center strip is not 1/2 inch less than your cut measurement and your outer strips are not 1/4 inch less than your cut strip, your seam is too large. Just readjust your seam. If that doesn't work, make sure you have cut all your pieces accurately.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Northern California, Sonoma Co.
Posts: 2,814
Thanks for ur response. It is not the seam allowances.........there are only three pieces sewn together...each block is cut and sewn the same.....one goes horizontal and the other vertical....but when I turn the vertical one around to sew it to the horizontal one, it is always short....
I struggled with this for a long time. At times I even cut my pieces a few shades bigger, which helped, but made it hard to keep track of over the course of many pieces. Finally I adjusted my needle and guide to make me sew less than a quarter inch by a shade or two, and now my results are more accurate.
#6
The long edge of the horizontal will stretch, the ends of the strips do not stretch hardly at all. Be very careful when pressing the strips and try not to press the edges, just the seams. Even holding the strips when sewing can stretch them. The last strip block I made I cut the strips lengthwise and had much better results.
#7
If your sewing machine is like mine, it does not remember the way it was set up when it is turned off and I have to reset any settings each time I turn my machine back on. My needle goes back to the preset position and I have to remember this and move it back to where I have a scant 1/4 inch seam. I hope this helps, and I would also do what Bellaboo said, about pressing. Good luck.
#9
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,827
That being said ... it is vital that all the seam widths of all the stratas be exactly the same, so that all the tri-sets are the same width. Then once you have them all the same width, cut the squares at the same width/length.
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