I have now made 5 snowball quilt blocks. How in the heck do you all cut even pieces. I am using a rotary cutter, mat and rulers. My blocks are 9.5" with 3.5" blocks in the corners and after I sew my 1/4" things are wonky and seams don't line up. If I can't even do a snowball, I guess I will have to give up on quilting.

Am I destined to be lopsided my whole life?

O.K. so I mean "cut" straight. I think it is time to go to bed.

Sweet dreams and come back when you're refreshed!! lol :D:D
No more cutting tonight! :D

Each project gets better and better :wink: :D:D:D

Make sure when you draw the line across the back of the little squares, that you are drawing from the one tip straight across to the other. Your first stitch should start just in from the point/tip of the square, and end at the next tip.

If your drawn lines are a little off, your blocks will be wonky.

I absolutely dislike doing snowballs!! The last time I did one, I did it over several times to get it right. I feel your pain.

Well, I can't cut OR sew straight - I still can't figure out how everyone does it so perfectly!

have had the same problem. learned that if i cut only 2 layers at a time they come out straight. have hand issues and i think i don't put enough pressure on the ruler to keep the fabric layers from shifting when there are 4 or 6 layers. try a new blade in your cutter, a dull one can also cause problems.

Im with you I cant sew straight at all. I figure its my "special" touch. Just like persian rugs all have a flaw in them...so does my sewing. :)

I only cut two layers at a time, sometimes only one and...wonky. Not all are wonky but enough of them are.

All of you that say you cut/sew wonky too are angels to me. I am not alone and there is hope.

Thank you...

Is the problem with cutting or sewing? Snowball is not an easy block to sew. Don't give up on quilting because of it.

Concentrate, measure twice and cut once, practice, keep trying, and have patience! Before you know it, you'll be cutting like a pro and your blocks will be spot on! Just don't give up.

Make sure to use only one ruler for measurement (I have a tendency to use ruler and mat---which causes me issues. Also make sure that your ruler isn't sliding.

I also draw my sewing line on the back of the top piece to sew on.

Last thing--practice, practice, practice.

Use shortcuts! Position the corner square so when you fold it back you have extra to trim to fit the block. Starch and press the folded corner block in the exact place you want it to be, unfold and then sew on the crease line.

Put a few drops of basting glue to hold the square in perfectly in place if you want. I never exact cut the corner squares, I just make sure they are at least 1/2" bigger then I need. This is a great way to learn about leaders and enders so you will have an extra HST made for every corner to use later. Elmer's School glue will be your best friend so stock up. It's not really a glue but a very strong starch so it washes out. Heat with an iron and the glue hold the fabric together instantly. Basting glue works great too but Elmer's is so available and cheap.

First make sure that your table is not warped. This has happened to me
very recently. I was going bonkers. I was cutting very carefully and yet
my strips came out wonky. First I thought my ruler was warped.
I was about to order a new ruler when DH checked with his square
and it was perfect. Then we checked the table and there it was. LOL

Using starch is a really good idea, it is really easy to stretch a bias edge. Also, make sure your machine is sewing an accurate 1/4 inch seam. Sometimes a machine can be off quite a bit. I bought a small machine to take to class and it came with a 1/4" foot. When tested with 3 strips of fabric sewn together the finished piece was off by almost 1/4".
Sue

Very interesting! I have a plastic table that I bought at a sewing machine shop and I started using a few years ago. I'll not use it for my rotary cutting mat any longer, just for my machine. Thanks! :thumbup:

One of my big problems is ironing instead of pressing. I'm quilting a quilt now that had a lot of bias edges. I had used sizing instead of starch (now I'm returning to using starch) and looking back I know I didn't handle the pieces with care so they became very wonky. I'm surprised the quilt came together as well as it did. Perhaps starch would help and be careful with pressing, along with practice, practice, practice. Just don't give up!

dont give up

Your table could be fine for cutting. Just make sure it's level. Mine is a
banquet table. I think it warped just from all the starching and pressing I
did on it. Oops. I have now moved my starching and cutting in the kitchen.
:thumbup: :wink:

Thanks EasyPeezy! The table is a molded plastic that I believe is now for me as it was originally designed (not warped that is). I like it as it is strong but I DO know that it is not completely flat, center is a bit raised compared to the edges.

You could put some of the non-slip tape on the bottom of your ruler to help stabilize it.

When I sew my corner pieces, I usually sew one needle width inside the line (toward the corner). When I sew right on the line, by the time I press, sometimes the corner bits are too short. I also leave the big square underneath intakt and only trim off the triangle piece. That way I align my sewing line on one big piece.

I use a square, draw a line diagonally from point to point. I lay the square on the corner of the larger square. I sew just to the outside of the line so that when I turn the fabric over it provides the extra space for the turn. They usually line up pretty well for me.

And if you go one step further you can get four mini HST's and no scrap.
Sew another line 1/4" from the cutting line, press and cut. That's my tip for
today. :-D

MAKE SURE that you are sewing a quarter inch seam. Here's a great tutorial:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-89997-1.htm

Carefully draw the diagonal line corner to corner.
Starch!
Remember that you are sewing on the bias so it's easy to stretch it out of shape so don't pull or tug the block as you sew.
I agree that a snowball isn't the easiest thing to do.

Thank you all for your help. I will keep plugging or should I say stitching away and evenually I will end up with something.

Now ask me why anyone would do a king size quilt for their first quilt? I am nutz...

Sounds like a healthy self-esteem. :thumbup: