:cry: I was trying to square center up for second cut. I lifted the cutter and ruined the block ! I'm literally in tears. The videos make it look soooo simple. It just shows the block already cut. What does one look at on the ruler ? I'm so frustrated right now. I just ruined some of my Moda blocks. :roll:

Kim....I don't know what others did but I cheated and I lightly ironed the blocks in four....then cut on the crease..worked for me.
sass

You cut thru the center of the middle rows. Depending on your seam allowance yours may be different than mine. If the block moved when you were trying to cut just move them apart and cut the second cut independently of the first. Clear as mud?

Sassylass, good idea!

Great idea ! I will try this.

I measure the center square and divide that amount by 2. Then move the ruler over, keeping the line straight with the seams and cut.

I was doing my second cut when I screwed up the block. I have 3 of the 4 sections that I can use.

I'm not sure what you mean by squaring the center up?

One thing I do is place the block right side *down*. The block lies (lays?) flatter on the cutting surface this way. When I measure, I use the ruler markings lined up on a seamline (not on the cut edge). This greatly helps accuracy. If I can't line up exactly on a seamline but need to center the cut, then I center the ruler marking between seams.

Hope this helps some. Were you cutting multiple blocks at a time? That is harder!

Thanks! I will sit here a few minutes and get my courage up to start another 9 patch. This is going to be a gift for my mom on mothers day. So , I have time . No pressure. :shock:

Take a deep breath. I'm pretty sure no one has ever made a quilt without a few reject blocks. Have you ever noticed quilt backs pieces with a few blocks in them. Lots of times the 4 or 5 blocks on the back were blocks that were a bit off and not wanted on the front.

Maybe you can use some old stash fabric and do one so you feel you have the hang of it. Then go back to the good stuff.