I just downloaed a free pattern from Quiltmaker and the instructions say to cut the blocks 8" square and when sewn together trim the block to 9" to make an 81/2" finished block..is this possible??

ah....no! Can you post the link to the pattern so we can read it and see if we can help?

A link to the instructions in question would be really helpful.

you said you are starting with 8" squares- then after piecing they need to be trimmed- so i am guessing that you are adding to the blocks- which would of course increase their size---so yes it is possible.

It's at Quiltmaker.com and the quilt is called Anita's Arrowhead. I don't know how to send link.

Is this the link? http://www.quiltmaker.com/patterns/d..._source=QUMK_0

Do exactly as the instructions say and it should come out right. Remember you are working with 2 8" blocks that increase in size as you cut and open the pieces. Do a sample block first.

you have picked a great block and a great designer! i love Anita Grossman Solomon..she has made this block simple to cut and a wonderful way to use up scraps! or make it a 2 color quilt.

She is such fun to watch on video..she was on Alex Andersons show a few times..

i see she gave measurements for the 12" finished block too!

exactly, use scrap pieces to try it out!

Yes, this is the link....thanks everyone for the input.

Anita Grossman Solomon is the quilter who began the paperpiecing craze, I think. Carol Doak gets all the credit, but I think she took off from Anita.

I agree with cjomomma 2 - 8" blocks gives you 128 sq inches of fabric. One 9" block requires 81 sq inches. you will be fine!! Love the pattern - I downloaded it!! Thanks for the link.

Clever!

I must have missed something because on the download I have
on the left side of the 2nd page, under Cutting, it says:

Assorted Prints and Tone-on-Tones
84 squares (A) 8½”x 8½”
Multicolor Stripe
7 strips 2¼”x 40” for binding

then on the next page next to the number 2 it says:

Making the Blocks
With right sides together, pair 2
contrasting A’s and trim to 8"x 8".

I have her book with the pattern. The blocks sews bigger then when you started. It's a fun block and it always sews up perfect. Just be sure and keep the cut pieces for one block in order, don't cut all of them at the same time thinking you can sew later.

It is because you start out with a pair of 8 inch squares but end up with one 9 inch block. Yes, follow the directions. Anita Grossman Soloman has wonderful out of the box techniques. Try one block first.

Great pattern...thanks for the link. I can see where it would work up perfectly if you follow the instructions..exactly.

this looks like a fun one to do as a guild 'fire quilt' - thanks for the link

I know - this is confusing to me also. But I think the idea is to pair the two 8.5 blocks, face to face, then trim them down to 8 inches. She says this is to align and stabilize them for accurate cutting and sewing - guess that's possible. I know if I would try to cut them at 8 inches in the first place, then align then exactly my corners might not line up so well, so maybe this is the fix!

I did one block to make a table topper. I didn't check the overall size when I was done because I just wanted 1 block for a table topper. It turned out very nice and I added 4 triangle pieces to the sides to make it bigger. As someone said, be careful to keep your pieces in the correct order.

To me i think you waste some fabric by cutting the squares down.

Gorgeous block, thank you for the link. Another to add to the *to do* list! LOL

This looks like a very cool pattern. Thanks for the link - I love free patterns!!

I was confused, too. Why cut them at 8 1/2, to immediately trim to 8 x 8.?

thanks for the link....I've already printed it out...gotta try it.

If this is Solomon's block with a couple of cuts, then yes; it does absolutely come to a finished 8 1/2" block.

I've made that quilt using the same pattern, it's correct, just follow the directions. As suggested, make a sample first so you understand the process. It's a really fun block to make, I made mine last year in Christmas fabrics.

Love to try new techniques. This looks fairly easy. Thanks for the link.
Hope your's works out right.

Wow! What a wonderful idea. Can't wait to try this one. Am going to use scraps and maybe put sashing in between the blocks as it is pretty 'busy'.

Great pattern. Going to put it on my to do list. Even if I just make pot holders or tablecover.

Thanks for the tip, I love this pattern. Looks hard but is easy.
Jan

Great pattern! Thanks for providing the link!

Thanks for the link. Love the pattern!

Great pattern...thanks for the link...got it on my to-do list!

I laughed when I read this - because I wondered the same thing when I went to make this.

I actually emailed Anita and asked her the same questions - she is so nice!

So, yes, go ahead and follow her instructions - they are correct. Good luck and please post a picture when you finish. (Mine isn't done yet.)

Arrowhead blocks do "grow", and you will have a bigger block than you started with by about 1-1/2" no matter what size you start with :-) Amazing.....

Fear not! I followed those instructions and it works! I finished with a 9" square. I cannot wait to make more for a table runner.