Hi! I am on my second project, a twin size quilt I am making from $1 a yard fabrics (good deal). My first project was a wall hanging that isn't getting hung! My question is...do my blocks need to be squared before I put them together? There will be no sashing and I am still debating a border?

Thanks!

It helps to keep everything straight when assembling the whole quilt. Let me be the first to admit that I don't always square mine up. :-)

I second what cjomomma said.

I usually square my blocks. In the case of your quilt, if they are fairly even (within an eighth of an inch) I would leave them, as you will have plenty of opportunities to even the edges when matching the seams. Hope that you remembered to press to the dark fabric which will make seam matching much easier. Also remember to put the block to be 'eased in' on the bottom as the feed dogs will help to take care of the excess. This quilt is going to be a 'big bargain'. I always like to put on a border, however small, to stop the 'action' of the quilt. Good Luck...it looks like you are on your way to a quilting future.

The more that you square as you go, the squarer the end product will be .... and the better it will all look!

It may not seem like it needs it, but even just a thread out on each block can add up to a totally wonky look at the end.

It doesn't take long to do the job as you go ... and you'll be oh so much happier in the end!

if you square up as you go you wind up with a quilt that goes together a heck of alot easier-than when each block is wonky=
a little trimming here & there can make a world of difference in the finished product.
also less head ache later-and it's easier to square it up a block at a time than the whole quilt when it's all together

When I first started quilting I didn't square my blocks and ended up with some pretty wonky quilts. Now I've seen the light and square as I go along. Shouldn't be a problem with the blocks you have but a word of warning: Be careful not to cut off points when squaring. The first time I squared I whacked the points off most of my triangles. YIKES! But we learn as we go and I'm still proud of that quilt.

I started squaring each block and have been much happier with my results!!!

I do square, but only after I've made all the blocks that I need for the quilt. Then I see what I average for the measurements - and go with that one. That said, I always leave a small amount for fudge room.

Squaring blocks, or even within the blocks, can make a world of difference later on in the process. It's an excellent habit to get in to from the beginning.

If you sew straight, squaring up the blocks is a really great idea.

If you do not sew straight, it really won't matter too much.

That's how I see it, anyways.

I don't square them unless it is necessary to the pattern. Squaring blocks usually ends up with blunted points. If your blocks are within 1/4 inch of size, just fudge it when you are sewing and they come out just fine with SHARP points.

I no longer join swaps that recommend squaring off before mailing. I usually fudge when joining blocks, but I can't fix something that's off if it's cut off. Off it goes into the orphan bin.

Your blocks look wonderful. On these types of blocks, if your cutting and sewing are as accurate as can be, I would most likely ease them together to each other, as you have them placed. Squaring up, by trimming, could make them wonkier than you might want. Good luck.

I love Eleanor Burns patterns because she has you square up as you go so you end up with a perfect block. Fiting the different parts of a block togather with the right size makes a big difference especially if you are making stars.
You dont want to trim off points when a block comes out to large.
It dosnt matter for the quilt you are making but make sure you are consistant with cutting and seams so they lock even. The strip method does work the best.

honey.. It is wisest to square all your finished blocks.. be really careful how you do this.. you want each line to line up.. so .. spare best you can from inner square to edge of quilt block..

hard to piece so many squares.. have you cut all out ? can you try the strip method?

good luck.. this will be a wonderful quilt ! please keep us posted !!

Ell

Squared blocks are best in my opinion. That way your quilt is square when put together and it makes putting the borders on easier.

I was never one to square as I thought everything was the right size when it came to putting a project together. Not.
Then I made a quilt that had several bias edges to it. Because it was a special project, I wanted to take the extra steps to do a great job. I squared each block and the quilt went together so nicely, the seams matched, each row was the same length. So now I square the blocks.

I think it makes the total assembly go better if each component is the size and shape it's supposed to be.

If my big block has HST's in it - I tidy them up before going on

If my big block has a Diamond in a Square in it - I tidy that up before going on.

Usually, my units are pretty close to what I'm expecting them to be, but it's still worth my while to tidy them up.

It really does help. It also makes it much easier if you are putting on borders-the sides and ends will be more even.

Pat

Not unless I absolutely have to..I hate squaring! :thumbdown:

I learned the hard way, square up your blocks, the quilt police got me, my dd, said Mom you didn't square up your
blocks and they don't fit right. I could have cried, but took it all apart and started over, looked a lot better when done the second time around. Square them up someone will notice.

I found that the better I do the prep work, the better the result will be and squaring falls in the prep work. On a simple block, I at least measure the blocks so I know how much - if any - the blocks are off. Anything too large gets trimmed and if the difference isn't too much, I use the smaller ones as is (adjusting the seam allowance as I go). I think that comes with experience. I used to be way more retentive in some detail work.

The "someone" might be you - when you are trying to put the blocks together and they aren't fitting very well!

And that someone/you can be prouder of your finished product, than when you do not square as you go.

Exactly.

I think it is a good habit to get into.
If you start doing it, you can almost look and see where you are off in the tiniest way, the more sewing time you get under your belt. You'll be a happier quilter if you get in the habit of doing it. It really SAVES time in the long run, if you ask me.

I agree with the rest.
Your quilt is LOVELY!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

What you've done looks great. That said, I do square up my blocks. Like others, I learned the hard way. I normally sew about 3 or 4 blocks at a time; square them up; then go on to the next set.

hensandhollyhocks - love your quilt!!! and your name!!!