Blocking a block to stretch it - - -
 

I am thinking if a block is smaller than the other ones - and it is blocked to stretch it - that the next time it is washed it will revert back to being smaller again.

Like my jeans stretch out after being worn a while- but the next time they are washed, they are tight again.

I can see/understand shrinking a block to fit - but the idea of stretching it really goes against my grain.

Is my thinking wrong?

I don’t know if it is wrong but if it is just a teensy but off once it is sewn together and quilted and washed would it be noticeable? Of course a major difference would mean remake the much smaller block. At least that’s what I would do

Stretching won't last. Don't bother.

If the block is a bit smaller than the others, "alter" a seam or two to give yourself the additional amount to get it to size. Usually a block ends up smaller because you took up just a tad too much in one or more seams.

not wrong. your thinking is the same as mine as soon as i saw your title. i would never use a block that must be stretched to fit. i'd make another or redo some seams a hair narrower if i didn't have any other fabric to use.

On the rare occasion I have a block a bit too small and I have run out of fabric to make another, this is what I do. Cut a strip of fusible lining the length of the seam(s) overlapping slightly so that when it is sewn to the next piece it is fused when it is pressed. You only have to be careful not to iron over the overlapped piece when you attach it to the first piece.

I have done something similar but only when the block is "titch" small. No problems later on. Some times a quick spray of water or spray starch them press, and it will make the block the correct size. Trying to gain a 1/4 inch or heavens more, I would return to the block and resew some of the seems to the scant 1/4 in in a couple of seems and then the total block will be the correct size.

At one time, Sharon Schamber had a youtube video on stretching a block - which I was unable to find again last night.

I was very surprised about it when I saw it at the time.

I did manage to stretch a 5 inch block to about 5-1/2 inches (unintentionally!) by sopping it with spray starch and ironing it out when it was wet like I was rolling pie crust.

I have learned so much by doing things incorrectly the first time! :hunf:

I would also try adjusting the seams.

What? ? ? ? ??

I have blocked/streched a block if it is 1/4" or less off for a 12 1/2" unfinished, anything off more than that I will remake it. It is fine, and long as you quilt sufficiently there is absolutely no distortion and reshrinking once washed. Now if you were to simply ditch around that block and not do any quilting in it then the block could distort and look pretty awful.

I was actually thinking the exact same thing.

I'd always heard that using steam would stretch a block, but since I use steam to shrink excess,wavy borders on the long arm I know it does just the opposite. Because of this, I've stopped using steam when making blocks. When I have a block that is just a bit too small, I adjust it so that I have smaller seams when sewing to other blocks.

I, too, would make some seams smaller so that the block would be the same size as the others.