Need ideas on how to sash or fix 6" finished blocks that don't measure true...
 

Over the past year a group of friends and I exchanged 6 1/2 " unfinished blocks - I now have about 60-70 blocks in about 10 different designs and mostly "reproduction" fabric colors that are lovely. I'm now ready to put it all together and see that not all of the blocks measure 6 1/2 inches unfinished - several of them are smaller. Are there some tricks for making all of these blocks "equal" so they will fit together well or ideas on how to sash to fool the eye?

I'm not sure of the layout yet but am concerned about cutting off points on several of these blocks as I try to join them.

If they are off really badly, you can make them wonky. Add enough fabric all around so you can square them up to 9.5 inches wonky. After they are uniform in size you can add sashings. The wonky look can end up being really cute.

If they are only off a bit, just add the fabric an square up at 9.5 (or whatever). Once the sashings are added no one will notice the difference.

I'm interested in the answer to this question. I have some quilt squares that I made a few years ago that are like that. I stuck them in a drawer because I didn't know what to do about the smaller ones.

I would hunt up the book "Setting Solutions" by Sharyn Craig. The book has lots of ideas for setting blocks of slightly different sizes, colors, etc. Often blocks collected thru an exchange or swap. Amazon has several used copies listed at a resonable price:

http://www.amazon.com/Setting-Soluti...y+sharyn+craig

If they're off by just a bit you can make up the difference in seam allowance.

I would measure them all and see how far off they are. Them I would trim them to as close as possible to the same size. Then set them on point. Things on point don't seem to look so out of shape. If you have some that are really off you could use the as cornerstones. Good luck. I know u want to use everyone's blocks.

How much are they off? I can often get blocks up to size by blocking them. I have squeaked out a full 1/4" by blocking. but that still won't help if you have points ending in the seam allowance. If you don't care then block them.

You can always add a sashing to each block and the square that up

This is what I do. I had to put a quilt top together where the blocks were suppose to be 12 1/2" unfinished. They ranged in size from 15" to 11 1/4"! I trimmed as best I could down to 12 1/2" but those smaller blocks! The sashing really helps.

I am working right now on a UFO, , 1" strip log cabin squares that are wonky. I have added 1 1/2" strips all around the squares, and will be cutting them into 9 1/2" square. The squares are wonky, but it looks very country.