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barbrose 11-19-2010 06:13 AM

Thanks ladies for your help it is good info for me. I ironed instead of pressing. so there is alot of good feed back you ladies gaVE ME i CAN TRY. mANY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

Connie Merritt 11-19-2010 06:15 AM


Originally Posted by ga447
I am new to quilting also, I just realized that the charm squares I was cutting will not equal to 10 1/2 in squares, da so I will probably have to add a sash or just chain all the square together. Luckily I am not following a pattern, I just learned to do the "Ohio Star"and I had to frog at least six of the squares till I got it right. Don't give up we are newbies but I know in the future we will get this.

What does "frog" mean and how do you frog a square?

barbrose 11-19-2010 06:16 AM

thanks i will try this. again thanks to all who have given me such good input.

Connie Merritt 11-19-2010 06:17 AM


Originally Posted by ga447
I am new to quilting also, I just realized that the charm squares I was cutting will not equal to 10 1/2 in squares, da so I will probably have to add a sash or just chain all the square together. Luckily I am not following a pattern, I just learned to do the "Ohio Star"and I had to frog at least six of the squares till I got it right. Don't give up we are newbies but I know in the future we will get this.

What does "frog" mean and how do you "frog" a square?

Mkotch 11-19-2010 06:32 AM

I agree!

Originally Posted by Rettie V.Grama
Since you already have the blocks made and discovered some smaller than others, this is what I would recommend. What ever you do, don't cut the larger ones to fit the smaller ones. Depending on how much smaller the small ones are, you could: Make a tiny border around it to bring up to size, or you could stagger the blocks and just put the border on just two sides of the smaller block.l Remember this: There is no one in this world that is perfect, especially a new quilter. I have quilted for years and still come up with errors. Someone a long time ago said, "There is always a mistake in every quilt." I've found that to be true, but usually the viewer can't find it. So, don't dispare, there are many of us with you. Keep on stitchin' it will get better.


Originally Posted by barbrose
hi everyone new to quilting still learning i am making a quilt; but when i go to put my blocks together they end up being smaller or some larger than others i pressed i starched but i need help what am i doing wrong? please help



barbrose 11-19-2010 07:05 AM

Thanks Carol. That will help good info

Jamiestitcher62 11-19-2010 07:32 AM

For me it's not the 1/4" seam in itself, it's when you start stacking pieces with points and everything, then the 1/4" seam starts to get wonky.

I think I have a problem with my cutting too. You know, do you line up the fabric to the line on the ruler, over the line on the ruler, etc. Sometimes I'm not consistent.

I am re-working a BOM set of blocks that I previously did and these pieces are coming out much larger than the ones I did before. I must be doing something better this time, because the older ones were much smaller than the 12 1/2" they were supposed to be. These are around 12 1/2", but still a little wonky depending on how much piecing is in that particular piece.

Squaring up is one of those things that I haven't grasped quite yet. I have the little squaring up rulers, but to square up a 12 1/2" block is for some reason giving me trouble.

I find myself cutting off tips of things or not allowing for the 1/4" so I don't lose a point, it just seems like all so much to keep in mind while cutting those edges. I'm apparently not aware of yet all the things to take into consideration when squaring up a block.

Stupid question though, after reading some of the responses, if you were doing a multi-stage block, would you measure each step to be sure it added up and if it didn't would you cut it down before moving onto the next step. Is that something that should be done or not?

duette 11-19-2010 07:55 AM

Not a fun solution but usually works is to rip some of the seams to make the smallest blocks a bit larger after resewing them. I have done this many times. To make accurate seams next time..be to measure seams often. It helps to put a piece of tape along on the needleplate at 1/4 inch from the needle. White tape is easy to see. Sew a seam and then measure it to make sure it is the correct width. If not ..Rip and do it over.

quilt3311 11-19-2010 08:10 AM

Accurate cutting is a must. Also if your seam allowance is varying, try to get a seam guide or a 1/4" foot that has a fabric stop on it.

bearisgray 11-19-2010 08:33 AM

IF you cut all the pieces the same size, and IF you sewed all the pieces together with the same seam allowance -

then the blocks should have ended up approximately the same size.

Not necessarily the expected size, but approximately the same size. :|

I am not a fan of trying to "stretch" a block when it is skimpy.

(I've read that even "experts" do it - I still won't do it)

What happens to it the next time it is washed and dried? I would think it would revert back to whatever was "natural" for it.

Like snug jeans - after wearing them for awhile, they stretch out - but they revert "back" after washing them again.


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