Hello - I want to make a lap quilt for my neighbour using this block http://www.quilterscache.com/R/RibbonQuiltBlock.html

But - I would like to make the blocks 9" square instead of 12" so the pattern is more 'busy'; i want to speed piece the HSTs like the instructions say so what size do I need to do the squares for them? The middle square would be 3 and a half inches, right? Does this mean the squares for HSTs should be 3 7/8"?

I know there's a formula in one of my books for doing this but I can't find it! :oops:

I know there's some clever person here who'll have the answer in a flash! Thanks in advance guys! :D

K x

Yep, for HSTs add 7/8" to finished square size.
(For quarter square triangles add 1 1/4" to finished square size.)

You add 7/8 inch to your finished size if you are going to be doing HST.

If I were doing it I would cut 4inches for my half sq. trianges and then square them up to 3 1/2. Gives me a little edge. Marge

Great thanks guys - thought it as that but wasn't sure, sometimes my brain is addled! I think I'll go with the 4" and trim up - like the idea of some edge, especially with my old machine which is soon to be hopefully redundant when I get my new one (hooooooraaaaayyyyyy!!!!)

K x

That same website has great advice for scaling down blocks.

It's under the quilting tutorials at www.quilterscache.com

If you want to do 8 hst at a time use two 8 in blocks right sides togather.
Draw an X and sew down 1/4 in on each side of lines. Cut the blocks in half both ways + then on drawn lines. Square up to 3 1/2 in. Saves alot of time cutting this way. You measure 4 in in on each side to get the middle of block for the + cuts.
For 2 1/2 in hst use two 6 inch blocks.

8 HST at a time?? Oh that is a cool tip. I'm writing that sucker down for later use!

Here I was excited to get 4 out of a rectangle!

Great Tip Rose - bummer, I've just cut them all 4"! Use it next time!

K x

You can sew two strips together and open and iron them open Then take a square template and set it on point ( opposite corners on the seam) and cut out with your rotary cutter. After you get to the end of the strip rip out your seam and match the other sides face to face and repeat cutting out as many as you have room for. Using a 3 1/2" square template you will get about 5 out of two 14" strips sewn together. The time saved will be worth it. You can see how to set the template on the fabric on my free teaching site http://www.bitsnpiecesworkshop.com on the half squares link.

Good tip Rhonda - thanks! I saw your site on another post, really good ideas for making up scrappy blocks too!

K x

I get so excited when I figure out a new shortcut to my "Blocks" and it's like I can't wait to show it to someone!! They are such time savers.:D

It's a great attitude, Rhonda! Thanks for sharing! :D

K x

learnin, learnin, learnin,
oh my brain is burnin.... :D

Rhonda, if I'm picturing your method right, you'd end up working with bias edges on your blocks then?

I don't pay any attention to bias. I just use the fabric in swatches. Because the pieces of fabric are small when the final block is cut out that it doesn't really matter. It has never caused a problem for me.
You can use the method for any size template so I suppose it might cause a problem in a larger block say a 4" template but I have never tried it that large. I work with 1 1/2" mostly.
The benefit of miniatures is that the problems that plaque a normal quilter doesn't exist in miniature at least for me.
I don't even know how to check for bias!! Theoretically I have heard the
explanation but I don't have to mess with it so I don't.

Woo you got a lot of good advice....:-).....I just cut till I get what I want and then measure.....takes time and several tries but works for me.....:-)....good luck and let us see whne you get your project going.....