The "fudge factor" -
 

How much "offness" in a block or matching seams can you tolerate - and are willing to try to work in?

My tolerance level is actually quite low - but I was joining some blocks I had made years ago and I have a join that is almost 3/16" off - the rest of the joins in those strips are "good enough" - and after three tries, I have decided to live with the puckers and "get on with it"!

The part that is most aggravating to me, though, is - I have not yet figured out "why" it is off that much.

The seam allowances seem to be the same, the cutting was accurate (when I measure the pieces, they seemed consistent with the other pieces). Not going to lay awake any more and fret about it.

Are you super-persnickety ? Or can you tolerate a certain amount of "it will have to do" because it is not getting any better?

My blocks are never the perfect size even though the units to make them are correctly sized. But they are within the fudge factor range and my quilts go together well, so I just move on and keep striving for accuracy.

I usually take seams apart and alter them until everything fits. I don't like "easing" in quilt seams. And I *hate* misaligned intersections. I have an extensive alterations background before coming to quilting, tho, which is why I just naturally alter when necessary. When it's gotta be done, it's gotta be done. :D

I'm pretty fussy but sometimes a seam slips through that I don't like and don't catch in time and now I leave it. There have been years when I would take apart all sorts of things to fix a 1/8" off seam, but not any more. With my vision issues if I ever find the problem again I'd probably do more damage trying to take out rather than put in.

I tend to sew a bit scant and some things like HST I make deliberately big and trim down, so my usual fudging is trimming down.

My tolerance is much higher than what it was when I started quilting but that was before rotary cutters and such and I used paper patterns. Then I pretty much just went with whatever I had and I would have a lot of very different things to put together! But I would try to get the blocks go together as well as possible so that the rows would go together. Was still using yarn ties back then as well, didn't seem so crucial to have everything exactly match.

It depends. If it's something I want to send of to a show, then I'm more picky about all kinds of things. If it's a quilt that will be used as a bed covering, or table covering but won't be entered into shows, then I don't bother correcting a misaligned seam unless it's something that will affect the structural integrity of the quilt.

And for show quilts, if after a number of tries, I can't get it perfect, then I decide that's how it was meant to be LOL!

Rob

I have a pretty low tolerance for seams not matching and points being cut off. If a seam is off or I've lost a point (or something else that annoys me), it gets redone if possible.

I aim for "precision" and it is an ongoing effort. I will never be perfect, don't try, but I like things to at least look good. Since I wash and dry my quilts when they are done, this hides a lot. I"m with you on thinking I cut well and have a quarter inch foot and have learned not to veer off at the end and still sometimes something is a bit off. I don't like the pleats/wrinkles at all, so will fix that, even if tedious. I can usually sew so as not to cut off points.

I can tolerate a lot in the seam allowances. If it gets to far off that is were decorative stitching can come in handy. It is a way to reinforce your seams and look pretty. It also lets you get a bit creative.

That's a great idea! There are so many decorative stitches on my machine, I'm always looking for new ways to use them. Thanks!

Rob

If it is substantially off, I adjust the seam width a tad or two, but if it's a little off, I let it go. None of my quilts have ever gone to shows or have hung on walls. I figure if the defect won't be spotted by someone riding a horse at a gallop near it, it's just fine. My quilts are baby and kids quilts made to be used, enjoyed, slept under, wadded up, crawled upon, ... and lots of etc. And, when the baby out grows it, the puppy or kitty can enjoy it, too. :)

I try to be as accurate as I can be, I work to get it as close as it should be. I donate most of my quilts but, I still want them to look good.

I want the points and seams to match up. Sometimes like naughty children, they run out of line. I try again and usually get them straightened out.

My current butterfly quilt is kicking me right now. Somehow, somewhere it if off. I have a class with a great teacher for help next week.

I am too much of a perfectionist and will rip out a seam 3 or 4 times to get the seams to match. This is probably why I don't get too many quilts made. LOL

I don’t have much tolerance for a fudge factor. That is why I always use Deb Tucker’s methods and tools to create blocks.

I do aim to get things to match, and am rather picky about it. I rip out as needed, and carry on. I want my quilts to look good, and not have those pesky spots staring back at me! lol

I try to get it "just right" but, like someone said if I take it out and sew again and it still doesn't fit right, I say forget it! I love to have matched up seams but, I am not going to drive myself crazy. Most of my quilts are gifted or donated, so I don't think most people even notice. At least I hope not.

I feel the same way. I do my best. Marianne Fons said if it's a bigger mistake than the width of a pin then she takes it out. If it isn't...she moves on. The fabric will eventually fray if you take a seam or point out too many times.

Finished is better than totally perfect.

Pins are helpful to align intersections, and prevent wavy borders. And I have concluded that my stash and quilt bucket list will outlive me no matter how rapidly I can complete quilts, so there is little pressure to finish. If the points will be cut off, then the seam is resewn—if not, it gets eased in and steam pressed.

This works for me too.

Depends on the recipient and/or if it bothers me.

It would depend on the use of the quilt, how I am going to quilt it. If you long-arm yourself you can make up a lot of difference.

Try my very best and move on.

My reply would be, what machine did you use in the past, and what machine are you now using, sometimes that may be the problem with the seams not matching.

My fudge factor gets higher, the longer I've been working on a quilt....

Watson

I have found that the weight of the fabric has a lot to do with the finished block size. Light weight fabric seems to stretch more and the blocks are larger than heavier weight fabric. I won't even buy light weight fabric for a quilt anymore because of that problem.

Very interesting question. The small group I quilt with once a week playfully chastised me this week about the number of times I "unsew" seams because they aren't perfect. Doesn't matter if it's a donation quilt-whatever, can't help myself. I wouldnt mind if my work were perfect...

I am pretty fussy with a low tolerance, but it does depend on when I find the problem and how long it would take to finish it. My last finish had a huge tuck on the back - my first ever. I finally decided to hand stitch it down - thank goodness it was a swirly print. The Labyrinth on the machine now as a least one spot where a high contrast seam didn't line up. My mind says I am done piecing and to just quilt it. My son won't care.

I'm a rippin' re-doer if I catch it early enough....can't help it....it's in my DNA.... I've been known to disassemble an entire quilt to correct a mistake if quilt looks wonky left as is. However, I'm learning that some things are worth spending time to fix and some are not. I'd rather be creating...

I usually make big piece blocks. Very seldom any problems with matching seams or keeping points. I keep one precision pieced block quilt going and sew on that when I feel like showing off my skill to myself. LOL