I don't post often to the group, but I do read all the messages.
I have a question that maybe someone can help me with. I am currently working on the Block of the Month Civil War Tribute Quilt by Judie Rothermel. I just picked up Block 7 from my LQS
and after looking at the cutting directions, I am stumped. The pattern calls for cutting squares (for example: 2 3/16" x 2 3/16"). How can you cut sixteenths? I know I could round up to 4/16 which is a 1/4, but then the block is going to come out bigger than it should be. I am afraid to eyeball and cut between an 1/8 and a 1/4 inch. I don't think that would be really accurate. All of these squares will be cut diagonally and then sewn with other squares that have been cut diagonally to make HST's. Since I have to do 32 of these, I'm afraid that by the time they are all sewn together the block is going to be off mathematically. My other question is: Once the two triangles are sewn together, how do I know what the actual measurement of the HST should be? This is the only month where the block is being cut using fractions of a sixteeth. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Brenda R. (New Jersey)

My brother-in-law made templates for me using his carpenter tools which have the 16th inch markings on them so my squares and triangles would be accurate. Hope this helps.

I participated in a BOM quilt where it had /16 measurements. It was strongly suggested that we buy the ruler that is marked in /16 increments. I did and loved the results.

Unfortunately I am not at home so I can't tell you the ruler.

You might try www.quiltersrule.com for that ruler as they sell such a variety and are really nice folk. [they talked me out of buying a quantity of rulers and instead I bought just one and then after using it knew which rulers I really needed without busting my budget.]

ali

I used the alternative block for month seven. It called for less half square triangles and they were not cut at the 16th". They looked great

i love patterns that tell you what the measurements should be for each step. that helps a lot!

Thank you all for your quick responses. I think I am going to try the ruler with the sixteenths. I didn't know such a ruler existed. I did consider doing the alternate block, but liked the harder block better. However, if I can't find the ruler, I will use the alternate block and be happy with. Especially since we have to make 8 of them!
Brenda

Thanks for the heads up as I haven't done those blocks yet. I have a 7/8 inch ruler by Creative Grids and guess I could mark it on top with tape but think I will just do alternative blocks instead. Was not aware there was a 1/16 inch ruler. Thanks. I have to hide the 7/8 ruler now so I don't pick it up by mistake.

Ali,
I looked for a quilting ruler that would have the sixteenths marked and was unable to find any. If you get a chance, could you let me know what the name of the ruler is that you have and where you bought it?
Thanks,
Brenda

I just went through all the sites I could find online and couldn't find a 1/16" ruler. Please let us know who makes it and where we can get it. Thanks!

Martha,
I tried using tape on my ruler between the 1/8 and 1/4. I couldn't get it straight. I'm hoping Ali can tell us where she got the ruler.
Are you enjoying making this quilt? It is beautiful, but a lot of work. I think this is going to be the most challenging month for me as I get bored making the same block more than twice! You can imagine how I have struggled when I had to make the two large blocks and then the two smaller blocks. They were't hard to make, I was getting bored. Now I have to make 8 for this month. If I can't find the ruler, I guess I will have to just make the alternate block. I wish they would have given us a heads that we were going to encounter blocks with sixteenths. I also think they should have provided a place to purchase such a ruler.
Brenda R. (New Jersey)

Here is one:
http://www.createforless.com/EK+Rule...pid156450.aspx

Its an EK Rulers Pro 3"x 15" Acrylic

You might find others at Craft for Less, just type in rulers in the search tool at the top. This online store sells more than just quilting supplies and this ruler is really a scrapbook ruler, but hey, it works just as well for quilting.

Scrappycats,
Can you use this ruler with a rotary cutter?
Brenda

I am doing a BOM too but a different one called Pennsylvania Dutch and it calls for an odd number too i think 7/8 and i rounded it up to the next inch and when squaring had to sdquare just a little off and it was fine.

Thanks, Jane. I guess I could try that.
Brenda

I have several acrylic scrapbooking rulers I use with rotary cutters. When I was a scrapbooker, we cut our paper with rotary cutters. They just are a little less sturdy, so I would save it just for those times I needed the 1/16 inch marks.

Thanks for replying. I will check into that.
Brenda

Metal carpenter's rulers would work, they are thick enough for rotary cutting too :wink:

Just do what I do and split the difference between the 1/8's. This is quilting not rocket science and if you have to you can fudge in the seams.

Honestly do you really thing the ladies were that perfect in their measurements in 1862 while making quilts during the battle?

Billy

I found the ruler ... it is the 4x8 inch Omnigrid ruler. The 16ths of an inch markings are on the edges of the ruler only. I they they also have a 3x8 inch ruler with the perimeter markings in 16ths of an inch.

My LQS hadd them, but I think Joann's also carries these rulers.
You have to look very carefully to find the perimeter markings .... maybe try different material behind the ruler to visualize the markings.

Sorry I don't have the exact ruler data.

ali

Thank goodness someone finally started a thread about this one. I can't seem to 'get' them. I haven't gotten to far into making the blocks, only on block one - FOUR TIMES, two for the 18" and two for the 12" - one time the blocks are larger or one side is larger and the other time too short!!!

I can quilt so I am very frustrated. How can you square up when it isn't a square until it is finished!?!!!

After block #7 I refer to this BOM as the Civil War Torture Kit. The fact that you have to make eight of these is insane!.. LOL. That said here's what I did. I cut the units a little larger and then ONE BY ONE using a ruler with 1/16th marker - trimmed them down. Also, I found if I didn't use the iron but just finger pressed the seams it helped. Good Luck!


P.S. My LQS owner said the October block is even worse <<sigh>>. She's making alternate instructions for her customers.

Also, I squared up EVERY little block. It was time consuming but I was happy with the results.

http://s970.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/?action=view¤t=block7.jpg&mediafilter=images

The ruler I have is made by Nifty Notions:

http://www.berninaworldofsewingonlin...Rulers1600.jpg

Another one I used was by Dbarj:

http://www.dbarjquilts.com/cgi-bin/online/storepro.php
It is an 1/8th ruler but the way its marked its easy to cut 16ths by going inbetween the 1/8th inch markings.

I'm thinking I must be the last one to be working on this quilt. I am doing Block 7 and the part that has me stumped is the center. When I sew the hst units from the directions together and try to sew them on the sides of the 4 7/16 square. they are way too big. But when I try the sewn hst units that are smaller and go around the outsides on all 4 sides, they work. Could it be that the same size of hst units are used on the inside as well as the outside. Does anyone out there remember this block well enough to get what I'm talking about. Sure would appreciate any and all help.