How can I turn a 12" block into a 12 1/2" block? What measurements do I use?

thanks, chris

What block are you wanting to make?

you may be able to find it in 12 1/2, which block is it?

Are you sure you need to change it? A 12 1/2 inch block is the unfinished measurement. 12 inches is the measurement after it's sewn in to a quilt.

in addition to asking what block are you going to make, my suggestion is that you clarify whether you really need to change the block size by only a half inch. It almost sounds like the block you need is to finish at 12 inches, which means it would be a total of 12 1/2 inches unfinished...or before you stitch it to surrounding blocks.

I've never seen a requirement for a block finished to 12 1/2 inches...however, 12 inches finished is a common size. Does your pattern clarify finished size vs. unfinished size?

If you've made a block that's supposed to be 12 1/2" and yours came out 12" more than likely it has a lot of angle seams. Here's how you can fix it:

1. You can take it apart and sew it back together with
a "scant" 1/4" seam. or.....

2. You can trim all your blocks to that size. or......

3. You can trim it down a little more to 11 1/2" and
add a 1" border all around it.

If it's a pattern, make a sample one out of scraps and see if it doesn't come out to 12 1/2". Chances are it's saying 12" because that's the finished (in quilt) size.

Hope this helps

I did a block called "Hearth and Home" and that block finishes at 12 1/2". I had made it for my Star Sampler then it was too big. It's an uncommon size but they're out there.

Depending on how many pieces there are to the block, you may be able to increase your seam allowance by one thread and come out at 12" :D:D:D

I'm interested in knowing what block you're using.

??????

I think she's trying to get the measurements for a Bear Paw block. ;)
I've got connections. :lol:

I have a spreadsheet that's for enlarging/reducing block sizes. The link is

www.thequiltedsnail.com/scale

Maybe this will help her.

who are your connections, ey Ms. Grace? You're partially right about the bear paw, but I also want to make the jacobs ladder & on the oregon trail.

The swap I'm doing this for calls for 12 1/2" unfinished blocks. That is why I'm asking.

turtlerouge

The blocks I want to make are:

Jacob's ladder
Bear's Paw
On the Oregon Trail from quilterscache

I want to make these blocks for the swaps. The swaps I'm thinking of calls for 12 1/2" unfinished.

thanks, turtlerouge

thanks, raptureready!

I'll try these suggestions.

The swap I joined calls for 12 1/2" unfinished.

I want to make the jacobs ladder, bears paw, and On the Oregon Trail in the quilterscache.

turtlerouge

I'll check this out sew.

Thanks, turtlerouge

ktpp:

Hi, thank you for helping. I belong to a swap on here & the required measurement is for 12 1/2" unfinished blocks.

I'd like to "jacobs ladder, bears paw, & On the Oregon Trail" the last one is found on quilterscache.

thanks, turtlerouge :-D

If the block pattern in quilterscache says it's a 12 inch block then they are 12 1/2 unfinished already and you don't need to change the size.

:lol: :roll: :lol: YOU!! :lol:

To make a 12 1/2" block you need to cut your material 4 1/2".
This will be unfinished block and when sewn with the rest of your blocks will than measure 12". You should use an accurate quarter inch seam. Take a ruler with a quarter inch measurement place it under your needle in your machine and mark where the quarter inch is from the needle. You can either use a quarter inch foot that you can buy genetic which should be cheaper than your normal quarter inch foot for your machine. If you are limited in funds just place a tape like masking tape for quarter inch measurement.

Remember usually the 12 1/2" block goes together as a nine patch.

That was what I was going to say, Scissor Queen.... 12 inch blocks ARE 12 1/2 unfinished.... No problem.

thank you! I'm going to try it again.