I keep coming up 1/4 inch short on this block.

Cut center square 3 1/4 x 3 1/4.

Cut 2 background squares 3X3, then cut once diagonally to yeild 4 triangles. Sew these to each side of center square.

Then trim the square to 4 1/2 X 4 1/2.

My square keeps coming 4 1/4 X4 1/4.

Any suggestions what I am doing wrong. I have made 3 and carefully measured each piece.

Sue

Where is your needle position on your machine? I have the same problem, and it's because of my needle position on my Janome. I've just adjusted my measurements when need-be, and that seems to do the trick.

Can you move your needle a little to the right?

I will check and try that. Thanks

No problem. With my Janome, I can't move the needle position, so if that's the case, then you will need to adjust accordingly either by cutting a larger piece of fabric, or by using a smaller seam allowance.

Maybe the directions are wrong. Cut the 3 background squares 3 1/2 and see what happens. Maybe you only need 3 1/4. Can't do that in my head.
Maybe center square should be 3 1/2 X 3 1/2. Would that still work? They do make mistakes in directions.

Yes, cut those squares larger. Then your qst's can be cut down if needed.

If you are trying for a 4 inch "finished" square and a 4-1/2 inch "unfinished" square -


Cut the center squares 3-3/8 if your 1/4 inch seam is "exact" -
if you tend to make "full" 1/4 seams, go with the 3-1/2 inch square.

Your center square is "skimpy" to begin with at 3-1/4 inches.


The "finished" seam/side lengths of the sides of the center square are (square root of 8) which is approximately 2-7/8 inches. If you add 1/2 inch to that, that is approximately 3-3/8 inches.

I am going to try and change the squares. I thought the directions might be wrong.

Back to the drawing board. I hope I don't run out of fabric experimenting.LOL

Practice with scraps -

Or else modify the pattern to go with the smaller blocks you've made

Or are the centers supposed to float (not touch the seam lines when the next parts are added on)?

Should the triangle square be 3 7/8ths because of the triangle cut???

Technically, the size for the squares that are cut into the triangles that go around the center square should be 2-7/8 inches.

Three inches leaves a bit of wiggle room - and that's the size I would cut the squares.

The pink line is the seam length (that shows on the front) - and it should be the same on both pieces of the unit.