How accurately do you trim up blocks?
 

If you have assembled blocks and they are square, how much do you trim them? Does it depend on the size of the block?
I recently made a set of 13" blocks and only trimmed those that were off by 1/8" or more. It saved a lot of time to not trim the ones that were only off a few threads but I don't know if it will lead to too much inaccuracy in the finished top, which is not assembled yet. My previous top had 3.5" blocks and those I trimmed every block and the top came out square/even.

Personally, I trim every block as close to the size it is supposed to be as I can get it.

I try to trim them all to be the same. I have found for me, being a few threads off very many times really will add up. I don't obsess but do my best. The most important thing to remember is to enjoy the process:)

I agree ... do the best you can and have fun with it!

I am pretty particular about trimming them as near to the same as possible. It does make a difference in the final outcome, but at the same time, it's not like working with steel! There is give in fabric and sometimes there are slightly different measurements that must be worked with. One of the biggest challenges to quilting is making a true block and having a squared up quilt when you are done! Good luck.

I trim them all as close as I can. I feel a small amount off can really add up in the end.

Trimming blocks as you go saves time down the line when the blocks go together. Perfection is not my goal but trimming blocks to size makes sewing rows together much easier. I'm into EASY :)

I also try and trim them as close as possible, because if more than a very few are off, even a tiny bit, they will all add up and throw the whole quilt off...just saves headaches later...
Good luck to you,
Kif

I try to trim as exact to the size it is supposed to be as I can. It really, really, makes a difference in the finished quilt.

I've learned the hard way when not trimming my blocks, the quilt looks caddy wampus. It only takes a few minutes to trim, and makes so much difference in the overall look of your quilts.

I try my best to trim my blocks as accurate as possible. It saves frustration in the end.

I should be more meticulous about this step but I don't really fret about it - if its real bad I will trim it up - also depends on the quilt block etc. Sometimes I am so excited about the quilt I just want to put it together.

I trim exact...AND if it is a star or something with points, I make sure to trim 1/4" past that point so it does not end up POINTLESS!

I totally agree!

I trim as close as possible without loosing any points after the 1/4 inch seam allowance but I leave them untrimmed if I am not ready to assemble the quilt top. I find that when storing the blocks the edges can get ragged again and then you don't have any allowance to trim.

I don't trim up blocks. You end up cutting off points, so what is the point? I would rather fudge a little. If my blocks are off more than 1/4 inch, I redo them or make another. There are a FEW techniques where trimming down is perfectly fine - say the background for applique which was made larger in the first place.

I also don't square up blocks for swaps. I prefer to leave it to the swapper to decide if they want to fudge or trim. If you cut off the point, the block may be unusable by that swapper.

I trim all blocks...better to spend a few minutes to trim then to spend hours aggrivated because I didn't

Oh, trim them. I don't want to spoil the final product by having odd sized or slightly off blocks. The better they are trimmed, the better they fit together and the easier the final construction.

I had the same question about trimming blocks once. Out of all the replies on this topic so far, 94% trim their blocks. Sounds like it is the safe way to do it. Thanks for the advice.

First, I make all my HSTs necessary, all cut a fraction larger than they need to be...then i press and trim all of them. Then I set all pcs tog, including the HSTs, now I square up all the blocks, and lastly, i measure the quilt in 3 places, use the middle measurement to go by for borders and then square that up...it is totally worth it, and if you have ever tried to quilt a quilt with ripples and bumps and gathers everywhere, you will know why.

Try to trim as accurately as possible. That being said, it will make a bigger difference if you're not as accurate on 3.5" blocks than it will with 13" blocks. Bigger blocks, fewer seams. A few threads off on many seams across the quilt adds up.

I agree with most of you - I trim as close as I can, every block. I've made a large quilt out of 6" blocks, didn't trim them all and I paid for it. I think I used up one whole seam ripper on that quilt alone! The little bits do add up.

I trim them to size. I've never had a quilt that turned out uneven.

I try to be as accurate as I can. I found it can make a big difference when sewing squares together. I put too much work into my hand piecing to NOT do all I can to make sure everything lines up right.

I'll take accuracy over saving time

I like to press, starch and trim to size. It makes the rest go so easily and I don't have to "nip 'n tuck" later on. I love patterns that account for shrinkage and trimming down to final block size. It's so considerate of them to think of those things.

~ Cindy

Most blocks are made up of small blocks so trimming as you go makes a big difference. Thats what I like about Quilt in a Day patterns they tell you what size to trim each section of a block.
I never trim off points even if the block is not right, better to take a chance than cut off points.

I agree with this. It is especially critical when you are participating in a block swap.

The only things I trim are half square triangles. I can never get them the perfect size unless I trim.

I square up the blocks, so I guess I trim them. I am doing a 6" block quilt that I might not square up, a full size, very patterned bright fabrics.

I do my best to make them the same...

if for some reason i have a block that is a few threads off, i don't trim down all the other blocks. i just make sure to line that block up with a good one, and sewing an exact 1/4 inch seam. the skinny one would have a tad less than 1/4 seam of course but as long as it's almost enough, it's fine.
by that i mean i line up three sides exactly and the skinny one doesn't fit to the raw edge of the really square one.

I am glad someone asked this question because I trim my blocks as I go. I didn't know if I was wasteing my time but I quess not from the replies.

I square up as much as possible. I've found if a block is short I can fudge the size when adding the sashing.

I trim all my blocks prior to piecing. It makes a big difference in how it turns out.

I cheak my blocks and tend to square them up exact. If any of them are undersize, I mark those and adjust the seam allowance. As for points. I adjust the seam allowance to make sure the point is in the picture.

Learned a long time ago (and believe me, it wasn't a lesson learned easy) the success is in the prep work. The better care you take in the prep, the better your result will be.

I trim and square exactly, and for some blocks that means more than once as the block grows. My tops are always flat and need very little squaring up before sandwiching so, for me, it's well worth it. Do what works best for you.

I trim because as a beginner whatever I can do to insure some accuracy is important. Do what I can do well and unstitch or trim as needed.

I learned that the hard way doing SID.