I hope the pictures help show my problem. All of myy blocks are supposed to finish at 8 1/2" square. They are for the most part. But when I sew the setting square to the block the points are off. I'm assuming that the pink, green and purple are supposed to come to a point without a margin once the two blocks are joined. My seam is a 1/4" so do I cut the blocks down so that there is only 1/4" past the points and cut all my other blocks to whatever size that ends up? Can you tell I'm still pretty much a newbie? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!

Looks to me like the seam must not be a true 1/4 inch...

I'm sure someone else will know better than I do tho...

Very pretty!!

I don't know either but it sure will be pretty when it is done. Looks like Easter

Can you measure for us..like what is the measurement from where the pink/purple/green come to a point and the edge of that block (pic 2)?

i suggest you learn what you didn't do properly, but don't fret over this one. as long as all the blocks are consistent, it will look good.

Does it do this on both sides have that much show?

It might be that the 1/4" on your machine may not be a true 1/4" I have to measure mine each time and put post it notes just to keep it consistant.

Most seem to be closer to 3/8" that 1/4". That's the question, I guess. If the point should be right at the edge of the block, then do I trim them all to 1/4" all the way around then trim my princess blocks to the same size? This is the first one, so it's not too late for me to trim them all down if that is the right thing to do

Leave it!! The slight bit that is not "lost" in your seam allowance will actually visually make your points sharper in the finished quilt. I always plan my similar blocks this way, on purpose. I call it "float".

Jan in VA

GrammmaO....yes and no...I have seen them cut where the point does not hit but I prefer mine to hit so I know what you mean. Now....if all you have are these two types of blocks; then you could cut them all down but if you have other blocks, it might be an issue. Before doing anything, sew a seam and measure it to make VERY sure that your seam is 1/4 inch. I have had mine mess up simply because i might have changed the setting to do something else and forgot to change it back, etc.

This is a GREAT point - once you quilt and wash it I bet you lose that extra bit, unless you're really looking for it!

I knew there was a name for it...LOL!! That's what I was trying to think of! It is called a "floating" point or something.

I totally agree that as long as ALL blocks are consistent, then it doesn't look like a mistake. If all were this way, I would have though you did it intentionally.

It looks like when you made the block your seams were just a little bigger than a 1/4 inch. If you measure the distance from the point to the edge of the seam it should be 1/4 inch. Then when you sew it to the next block it will have the point right at the edge of the block. If all of them are made, I would say just put them together and don't worry about it as long as they are all the same. If some are different size seam allowances you could run into trouble as it gets bigger.
Sometimes it's just a slight adjustment to your sewing line that can make all the difference. Do you think it would help to have someone else measure them and see if they are actually 1/4 inch? I know that is what helped me.

Thanks everyone. I really do appreciate all the feedback. I think I'll tackle it again in the morning. The first border has flying geese blocks and I need to make sure that they're all going to fit. Of course, it's for my DGD and she isn't going to care about the points. Just trying to figure out where I'm going wrong so the next quilt will be better.

Well be sure and post a pic when you finish 'cause it looks BEAUTIFUL!!!

I wouldn't do anything it looks great.

Sometimes when I go over a seam my machine goes off a little. Maybe that is happening with you. Check where seams have several seams meeting.

Right now that seam you're showing there is so perfectly straight and exactly reveals the little pink border around Snow White. if you turn those two blocks back, face to face in the sewing position, do the opposite sides line up? If they're supposed to and they don't, then you'd have to deal with it before going on. It seems to me that the crucial measurement would be across the diagonal of the pink squares. If that's the 8 1/2 inches that you're wanting in your finished dimension, then trimming the seam area down to 1/4" will make sense. If that pretty Snow White block next to it is currently the size it's supposed to be and the other block matches up with it, then it not only seems unecessary to change anything, but would actually mess up the size of the block to do so.

I love your colors. Some very lucky little girl will be getting that one, no doubt.

Good attitude, pretty quilt.

At one time, my seams were off because I didn't realize that 1/4" means from the center of the seam to the outermost threads of the allowances. That's why they call it "scant", a rather silly term, IMHO.

Leave it. I love the 'float' idea. Beautiful ccolours.

Points are WAY over-rated. IF the recipient asks (which I doubt), just say with condidence, "That's the way I wanted it." It looks very pretty the way it is and I'd just go ahead with it.

Just get it done and move on. No one makes a perfect quilt.

However, if you're looking for suggestions on future quilts... It looks to me like you sewed a healthy or chubby 1/4" seam when putting your blocks together. Most of us sew a sickly or scant 1/4"---just a thread or two under a true 1/4" seam.

I agree with all the others. Next time you can work on sewing a scant 1/4 inch, but this is going to be a beautiful quilt and the lucky little girl who gets it will care nothing about points anyway.

And next time I do this I do this (and I will) I will also call it "float". LOL

Make sure your needle is exactly 1/4" from what ever guide you are using, i.e. the edge of the presser foot. If it's off even a bit, move your needle until it is perfect. If necessary, draw lines on your fabric until you get so you can do it without a line to follow. Then measure when you are done - before attaching to next piece. Good luck.

Sometimes you can fudge it in the quilting process. I have done that and unless someone uses a magnifying glass it is hardly noticeable.

I agree with leaving it--it's so pretty!

And Jan isn't it true that we get that float by cutting our setting squares a little larger then required.

Suggestion:
Have a moderator change your subject title to 1/4" seam allowance/setting points (or the professional name for it) and put this post in our tutorial section, please.
I am learning so much as I read it, setting it in my mind for use later. Your photos are so clear. You explained your situation so well when you created the post. The interaction between you and other members is sooooooooo good. The coaching, nurturing and teaching in this post are some of the things the Quiltingboard is about to me.
Your fabrics are pretty, your work is good. Your post is teaching so many people! Thank you for sharing with us. I am hoping you continue to post photos and updates as you walk through this and I am serious about it being in the tutorial section. It will be a helpful tool for many.

I can tell from looking at the last picture that the square in a square block is not square. It looks like the point areas of the pink are larger. Perhaps your seams were not quite a full 1/4" inch. But it looks if you took a smidge off those areas, it would bring the points closer to where they are supposed to be. When you are adding the triangles to the square you have to be VERY careful not to stretch the bias, or you do get these wonky squares. That being said, as a beginner, your work looks very nice, and those little point issues won't affect the beauty of this quilt.

Just place the point of a pin in the v of your pieced block and attach it to the other block at 1/4" . but you do have a problem with your pieced block - you must investigate!

I do this to. I measure from the needle for every project and draw a line or put some masking tape down. It really helps.

Seems to me that your original seams joining the triangles to the middle square are more than 1/4". I agree, though, to leaving the ones you've finished just as they are since they do not in any way detract from your lovely quilt!

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

No No No, you need to find out if your block is under or over sized first. put a stack of "post a note" down to measure your your 1/4 inch seam allowance. I think this is your problem. Put the needle down, and then measure where the 1/4 inch is and put the "post a note" down on that spot and remeasure it to be sure it is on the right spot. Sew a small piece of fabric and then measure it to see it it is accurate. Please do not cut your block with out measuring it first!!! It is very important to have all the blocks the same size.
Jan

as long as you don't cut the points off, it's fine. and as long as your blocks measure what they are supposed to in order to fit with others, it will work well.

I personally would trim the blocks, making sure there is a 1/4" beyond each point. Then trim the princess blocks that same size, BUT - that is just ME! I am fussy about my own work, where if I saw that in someone else's quilt, it probably wouldn't bother me as much. So basically what I am saying is, do whatever makes you happy.
Good luck! :)

One of the first quilts I did with instructions off of Simply Quilts was a square within a square and don't you NEED that little bit so when you sew the blocks together, you won't be sewing into that end point? Looks better to have this at the sides than too close because then you will be sewing over the points....Am I right or not?

It looks like before you joined your blocks it would come out rightr when you sew them together using 1/4 " seam measure your blocks before joining them & make sure with the 1/4 " seam the blocks are the right size . It looks like if you sewed them together it would be the right size ..

the tutorials section is exclusively for posting lessons members have written themselves that they'd like to share with the rest of us. those lessons are focused, organized, and include step-by-step instructions along with illustrations.

questions related to quilting are best posted here in Main.

this is an example of a proper tutorial. by an "interesting coincidence" i just happened to pic an example that talks about 1/4" seams. now, what are the odds of that? :lol:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-89997-1.htm

I think it looks fine, but if it bothers you quilt over it.

I have made this block many times. When sewing the triangle to the block I always fold block in half and put a pin in the center of each side of square, do the same with the triangle, then match the pins and sew to the block when all are sewn on I square up the block to the called for size. Make sure you don't stitch through the point when seaming it to the other block. One pattern I used did have the blocks looking like yours and as long as I squared them , I left them alone and when quilted you couldn't even see where they met. Your blocks look great. Keep up the good work.

Suzy

Can't wait to see it finished - it looks like it will be adorable