First I want to say I'm fairly new to this site, but I love it and read it just about everyday. You ladies and gentlemen are awesome! I'm also a fairly new quilter, (about 2 years) so if my question sounds silly please forgive me. For the life of me I cannot seem to be able to cut shapes, blocks, strips, or anything out correctly. It looks right when I cut it and I measure it carefully...(I thought) but I go to sew it together and sure enough one piece will be off, not a lot but enough that you have to get up and go the table and cut it to straighten it out. Am I the only one that has this problem? It sure takes the pleasure out of sitting down and putting something together. I was wondering what others have to say about pre-cut fabric verses cutting your own. Thanks for letting me VENT!!! Back to the sewing machine!!! :)

You might consider putting sandpaper dots or something similiar on the back of your ruler and see if it helps. Just a little slipping of the ruler could cause problems.

Are you using a quilting ruler/mat and rotary cutter? If not it would be a good investment.

It may not be your cutting, but your sewing. In order for the blocks, pieces, etc. to match, you have to sew a fourth inch seam. If you sew a fourth inch one time and a third inch next time, things won't match up, just saying.

Are you using more than one ruler? Each one can be slightly off to the other one :D:D:D

Also that 'scant 1/4" seam' is the bane of my existence. Maybe that's part of the problem.

check your ruler that it is accurate --i got caught with a dud

how do you do the sandpaper dots on the ruler??

They sell sandpaper dots that are sticky on the back. You just stick them to the back of the ruler. But they will obscure some measurements so keep that in mind.

I have put them on certain rulers like the wedge rulers in places they will not obscure, you can also find some clear sheets that can be cut to fit the back of the rulers. Someone can tell you the name of it. I dont' know as I have not used it.