Hey, All!!

BRAND new to the Board--referred by a friend. I'm in the process of starting a quilt for a friend, and would welcome ANY advice you can offer!!

She purchased a quilt kit for a pattern called "Summertime" at a shop in the Netherlands several years ago, and asked me to complete it for her. One hiccup--the instructions were written in Dutch!! No big deal, I contacted the store that she bought it from--they didn't have an English translation, but did have the instructions in German, and while not 'fluent' I grew up in a household that spoke it a little, so was more comfortable trying to translate instructions from there.

I also decided to invest in a metric quilting ruler so that I wouldn't need to try to convert the sizes into inches, so that will be a fun challenge, too!

That being said, I'm stuck on one part, and not sure if seam allowances are included in my cutting instructions, or if I need to add more fabric. In the 'Overview' section, it talks about 8 cm squares & 4 cm squares, and strips of 2x8 cm. THEN, it goes on to say: "All measurements are without seam allowance (0.75 cm seam allowance on each side this type)" So I'm confused. Does that mean I need to ADD 1.5 cm to all of my measurements, or is the 8cm squares unfinished?

Any/all advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!

TIA!

Pam

HMM. don't know what to tell you. Can you post the exact German text? Maybe a native speaker can 'read in' to the instructions.
Another idea is get some inexpensive fabric and make a sample block to verify. Actually a sample block is a good idea for any quilt.

Hi Pam,
Welcome!

Yes, I would interpret that (in any language) to mean you need to add the seam allowances to the sizes given.

Those are some pretty small pieces!

I would suggest, however, that you always read through the entire set of directions to make sure that it makes sense.

Sometimes the folks writing the patterns aren't the best communicators (and that applies to all languages).

I actually am going to do a 'mock-up' of the quilt top with fabrics from my stash--the finished size of the piece is only 110 cm (43"), but even when cutting into my fabric, I don't want to 'waste' a whole lot there, either!!

The line I quoted is written:
Alle Masse sind ohne Nahtzugabe (Nahtzugabe 0,75 cm je Seite dazugeben.)

Thanks for your replies!!

I think I am going to plan on adding the 1.5--I can always cut stuff down (on my mock-up one), but it'll be harder to add to it!

With such an emphatic statement I would say you need to add seam allowance. Also suggest you make up a block first and test it for size etc. then you will know for sure.

Is it an easy pattern that you could redraft in inches and have enough fabric in the kit to make it. As to stitching seam allowance.......arn't the needle positions on machines set at metrics even tho we assume inches.

I am with everyone on a test block. Thanks for the feedback!!

I'm not sure on that one, and my dad did sewing machine repairs for years before he died, so one would think that I'd know that, but I don't!! The 3,4, 5, 6 marks on my machine are 1/8" indicators, but maybe I'll have to pull out my instruction manual to double-check, too!! Thanks!! :)

You are correct in that you need to add 1.5cm to everything. "All measurements are without seam allowance. Add .75cm per side."

So the 8cm block is FINISHED 8 cm, unfinished 9.5 cm

Thanks, Martina!!

Yes you have to add the seam allowance

I'm German, what exactly does it say in german?? Maybe i can help with translating.

Sorry, didn't read all posts.
"Ohne Nahtzugabe" means "without seamallowance" so, yes add the 1.5 cm.

You guys are awesome with your translations!

Welcome from Kansas

Thank you all for the warm welcome and for all your help!!

I added 1.5 cm on all sides, and it 'appears' to be working. I have all the pieces on my 'test' quilt cut, and started to sew 'em together, but decided to call it a night for now!! Hopefully I'll get the rest of the top assembled tomorrow, and I'll feel comfortable enough to start on the one for my friend!! I just don't want to make mis-cuts on hers--no way to get more fabric if I do!!

Welcome from Illinois!

Just wanted to say welcome too! I am gale at SCS and I started the quilting thread over there (many moons ago).

Hello, OneMoreQuilt!! Nice to meet you!

Gale, nice to see you here, too!!

Your instructions mean: seam allowances NOT included, you have to add them on.
If you need more help with German, PM me and I'll help.
Uki

just saw your post and you've already had a lot of help I see. If you have more things not clear I could help, I'm from The Netherlands.
Just PM me, Pinot

I have not read thru all the posting, but the translation from FreeTranslations.com is:

All measurements are without seam allowance (0.75 cm seam allowance on each side to give.)

Sounds like the are without seam allowance. You need to add seam allowance.

being from Italy and familiar with the metric system I would say you need to add 1.5 cm to the pattern before sewing it.

Google has a translater

Welcome from Oregon!

Wow, you are brave to try a quilt in cm, I am still struggle with inches. hope it turns out well. Pictures when it is all finished, please

Hi I just translated using Bing> Instructions translated as follows ----"All dimensions are without seam (seam add 0,75 cm on each side.)"
This seems to be very clear! Good luck!
Here in Aus. all magazines and most craft books are published in metric. Some have imperial measurements in brackets, others provide more gist for the grey matter to work upon. I find it amazing how I slipped very comfortably back to yards and inches even though I taught using the metric system all my 30 year career as an early educator. Seems our 'first language" is always with us!