I need help squaring up a block that is larger than any square I have in my notions....I know there must be a way to do it. Can someone please help my old brain. I need an easy explanation. My blocks are 20 1/2 inches square (I did the ten minute block and made 20 of them.) My granddaughter and I are sewing together on separate machines and in putting the blocks together I notice they aren't all square, so before going any farther I want to check the blocks. And then once they are sewed together I must check again, right? This is the part I hate cuz I just can't get them square, no matter what I try.

do you have any 'template' material you can cut to your size your needing??

Check out this tutorial

http://www.sharonschambernetwork.com...g-Starch-.aspx

How large is your cutting mat? Use the lines on it.

All you need is a large piece of paper, and your rotary ruler.

Tape copy paper or whatever you have on hand together. Measure this to your 20 1/2".

Center this over your block and use your ruler to trim around the paper. You can fold the paper in 1/4's and use those lines to match up to your blocks, or what ever other lines you may need.

You can also fold the outside edges in at a 1/4" to make sure you aren't cutting off your outer points if you have any :wink: :D:D:D

And do I just pick any edge as my straight edge and cut anything outside the 20 1/2" square?

Perhaps I could have my husband cut me a 20 1/2" acrylic piece if he has any at work. I'll check on that....but would worry that his square could be off as much as my blocks are! LOL!

you will probably need to take a little off all the edges. you need to find a way to press or chalk mark the diagonal. then use that line, not the edge of the block. or you can use a straight seam line & measure from that all directions. man, the more I type, the more complicated I am making it. start with the smallest block & make them all that size, unless you will lose points. you may need to make another block or two to get enough sized ones.
guess I would measure 10 1/4" from the center to each edge. you would be working in quandrants. that way, you could use a smaller (12 1/2 ") square ruler. this is probably the biggest block you will ever need to square !

Fold opposite corners together to make a triangle - that will tell you where you are off. If it's square, all the sides will match up. Fold again to give yourself a smaller block to work with. I think you would have cutting edges together, but it's late and I'm not sure. (3 a.m. here)
Anyone, please jump in here if I am steering her wrong.

Last night I made no sense out of this...this morning it's clear to me!! This might be the way to go for me...I'll give it a try after church! Thanks so much...I was just overwhelmed when trying to figure this out!

This also makes sense to me. Guess I was having a senior moment yesterday when trying to figure this out...and I didn't want to mess up DGD first quilt by having it come out "cockeyed". :-) You gals are great! Thank you!!

While this seems complicated I understand the concept and like working in quadrants. Makes it more manageable. So if I go to either seam...vertical or horizontal, they should should be straight. The diamond shape block in the center is on point and that is what needs to be straight or will give the "cockeyed" look to the block. But am also matching seams in other blocks on top/bottom and sides. Think I bit off more than I can chew?? :roll: Won't be the first time! Thank you so much for your help!!

Great post! Good information from all for all.

This a good place to use freezer paper. Cut it into right size square and iron on block. Cut off extra. Of course make sure you center paper on block. If you don't get it too hot it sticks but comes right off.

I don't think I would fold the block because folds can distort the fabric.

I also use the lines on my mat for larger squares.