Patterns?
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,422
Patterns?
It is so frustrating to try a new block and it comes out the wrong size. I thought I would take the challenge and try a new block, and it happened again. The block was short by 1/4" so I had to play around with the seam allowance to get the right size. My question is: Is this normal? Do I have to play around with the #'s everytime I try a new pattern?
Thanks.
Thanks.
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MO (the Show Me state)
Posts: 2,947
there are usually two things that go wrong if the block sizes come up short and that is proper cutting and correct seam allowance. hopefully you have either tape marked a 1/4" seam allowance on your sewing area or you have a 1/4" foot for your machine. i also keep a seam gauge by my machine when sewing to double check my seams. next make sure you cut the pieces correctly. plus there is the OMG scant 1/4" seam, which is just to the inside of the 1/4" seam mark.
double check your work (cutting & seams) and perhaps you will find where you were off. happy block making. i was trying to find the diagram where it shows the scant seam marker one a 1/4" seam foot. i will post if i find what i did with it.
mary
double check your work (cutting & seams) and perhaps you will find where you were off. happy block making. i was trying to find the diagram where it shows the scant seam marker one a 1/4" seam foot. i will post if i find what i did with it.
mary
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,586
there are usually two things that go wrong if the block sizes come up short and that is proper cutting and correct seam allowance. hopefully you have either tape marked a 1/4" seam allowance on your sewing area or you have a 1/4" foot for your machine. i also keep a seam gauge by my machine when sewing to double check my seams. next make sure you cut the pieces correctly. plus there is the OMG scant 1/4" seam, which is just to the inside of the 1/4" seam mark.
double check your work (cutting & seams) and perhaps you will find where you were off. happy block making. i was trying to find the diagram where it shows the scant seam marker one a 1/4" seam foot. i will post if i find what i did with it.
mary
double check your work (cutting & seams) and perhaps you will find where you were off. happy block making. i was trying to find the diagram where it shows the scant seam marker one a 1/4" seam foot. i will post if i find what i did with it.
mary
#4
I don't always think it is us who is off in our work. I recently made a quilt where triangles pieced into squares were used as part of the design and the blocks when pieced were a full inch too small to match up to the plain blocks that went on each side of them. There were numerous errors in the fabric yardage needed also. I sent a note to the quilt designer and much later got a note back saying the corrections had been made on the fabric website (free fabric mfg. pattern). Well they corrected the yardage amounts but never did a thing about the pattern being incorrect. I had to re-draft the triangles/squares and some other pieces as the quilt went along. I also had to end up buying almost twice as much fabric as the pattern stated was needed, mostly because I had to re-cut so many pieces that were incorrect. Never again will I use a free Mfg. pattern!
#5
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,538
I have a lot of orphan blocks for that reason. I always do a test block before I start a quilt. It is a pain but I don't like surprises when doing a quilt top. It also one of the reasons I don't do exchange blocks. If a block is going to be off, that's when it will happen.
#7
Another little bit of help is to press the seam flat (laying it flat exactly as it looks when coming off the sewing machine) and then press it to one side. I THINK it is called setting the seam. This has helped me.
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Dunwoody, GA
Posts: 157
If you are printing patterns from your computer, your printer might be the culprit. Check to be sure, when you print something that the scale is correct. Many times you'll have to tweek the printer settings to get the correct size. I know how frustrating it is to believe you've done everything right...and then the block not quite be right. Most of us can share how you feel -- having been there too.
Good luck.
Good luck.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 5,052
Even books have mistakes in them. Im making Sylvias Bridal Sampler. Before I started I went to the web site and sure enough there it was, a list of several of the patterns and their mistakes. Was glad I checked. I used to make samples for our LQS, I could'nt believe all the patterns that had mistakes in them.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
craftybear
Links and Resources
12
08-30-2011 07:20 PM
craftybear
Links and Resources
3
07-18-2011 03:08 AM