new and questions
 

Hi I am very new to quilting. I am in the process of doing the top part of my quilt. My diagonal blocks are the right size 3 1/2" my center block is 3 1/2" just like they should be. But, my stripes ( a purple strip 1 1/2" sewn to a floral strip of 1 1/2" sewn to another purple strip of 1 1/2" ) are not coming out to 3 1/2". I have checked the seam allowance they appear to be 1/4". my strips seem to be 1 1/2" as well. Could it be my pressing? I should have my center strip ( floral) an inch after the 1/4" seam allowance on both sides of it. But it isn't an inch.

Have any of you got a place to start checking for errors? I don't want to waste material. I am willing to re measure and recut more. Just don't want to do the same mistakes. Trying to learn from the ones I have made. It is a simple block pattern to do. It is called "friendship" block or sometimes called the Paths and Stiles block.

Thank you for any help you can give me.

Could you possibly post a picture of your two blocks side by side? It would be easier to figure out what the problem might be.

Oh just re-read your post and also checked a picture of paths and stiles block. Yes it very well might be your pressing. Is the striped block the same size or narrower than the others? You might have to make your seams on the striped block a thread or two smaller.

it is narrower by 1/2" . when you press. should I press tightly so the seam stitches are barely noticeable or not at all noticeable. New to the site. So, I am going to spend some time reading up on posts :).

Having multiple shapes in a single block usually requires the scant 1/4" seam rather than the "exact 1/4" as just a thread or two multiplied several times can eat up overall measurement.

welcome to the QB and happy quilting

I shall try that later after I check out this fantastic site more. I have all day so no rush. My first quilt I am really excited about doing. I love learning how to craft different things. I love the color of fabrics. I love making things to give away. No better way to keep family and friends warm than a quilt. Thank you so much for the suggestion.

Thank you for the warm welcome

Hi and welcome to the QB. If your strip pieced blocks are coming up 1/2 short that is quite a bit more than would be taken up by pressing. First double check are your strips cut correctly at 1 1/2"? Measure your center strip in the pieced block it should measure 1" finished and your two side strips should measure 1 1/4" each in the unfinished strip set block. If it does not you need to work on your 1/4" seam allowance, it sounds like it is too large so you will need to make adjustments. You may need to sew a scant 1/4". How thick is your thread? Thread can take up room in a seam allowance, especially a very heavy 100% cotton like a 40 wt 3 ply.

In general, there are 3 main things that can make your blocks come out wrong. Cutting is the first one. Make sure that you are accurately measuring & your ruler isn't slipping. Use the same ruler for the entire project, but if you do need to use different rulers, try and use all the same brand.
Then next is pressing. Make sure that you are not pressing a tiny pleat into the seam allowance when you press. Also, press, not iron. An up and down motion will keep the pieces from stretching. And finally we talk about the size of the seam, however, you don't measure the seam you measure the resultant patch . If you use a quarter inch foot, you may still have to adjust your needle position. Also, fabric and thread weight will affect your seam so it's a good idea to check at the beginning of every project. Here's how to check:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...ce-t89997.html

Thank you all for the suggestions. I used a scant 1/4" and I now have perfect 3 1/2" strips. I did not realize that thread does take up room. I am using 100 % cotton.

Now working on matching seams. I have made a couple of blocks. Paying close attention to stitching, pressing ( don't want to distort those stitches) , and matching seams. I find it relaxing and fun. I will admit, I hope the next one comes out a bit better. This one is for me so a few mishaps are going to happen and I shall learn. Patience is something else I am working on. Plus pressing seams to the proper square so the sewing machine doesn't have a fit. lol. So much to learn. I wish our local craft store had quilting lessons at a more convenient time. I would go. It would be worth the money and oh the knowledge. But, I shall learn. I will succeed. Right now I am just having fun.

You've come to the right place for help...welcome to the QB. You'll discover many helpful tips here and wonderful quilters.

Hi and welcome to this wonderful board. The quilters on this board are absolutely amazing. If you ever have a problem, you will definitely find someone on this site to help you. Quilting is so much fun!!!!

Just hang in there and learn from each quilt. We don't always have a quilt shop nearby and experience is a food teacher. I might suggest keeping a journal in which you tell yourself what you have learned, what worked for you, etc.

Welcome aboard....you are in the right place....the most important thing ( for me) is having all the finished blocks the same size.....happy quilting

Hi dottiemae, and welcome to the QuiltingBoard!!

Even though I've been quilting for over 30 years, I learn something new from this group every week. Don't ever hesitate to ask questions, somebody here will have some solutions!

I can totally relate to the comments about "pressing" versus "ironing". I STILL struggle with the urge to "iron". One tool that I found that helped me tremendously is the "Strip Stick" (http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...+stick+mini.do )

This handy-dandy tool really helps me with my pressing. Now, it may start the never-ending discussion of "do/don't press seams open", but I just wanted to share what helped me.

One phrase you will see often here is "there are no quilt police"... which means that it doesn't matter which "rules" you follow (or not), because none of us "think" in exactly the same way... and what works for some people may seem totally illogical to someone else. Our primary goal is to make beautiful quilts, and discover ways to do so more quickly, more accurately, and, in the case of those with RA or fibro, less painfully.

Again, welcome to the QB - you will LOVE this group!!

I am so glad to hear that as a beginning quilter you are having fun! That is what it is all about. :)

Dina

If your center strip is accurately cut at 1 1/2" and after it is sewn it is less than 1", then you are not sewing an accurate 1/4" seam. It can be a VERY, VERY small bit off the cut and a VERY, VERY small bit off the sewing and the whole thing will be off. Most of us have gone thru this. The way to stop it, is practice, practice, practice. Perhaps the ruler you are using has a fat marked line so it is causing you to cut a couple threads short. Double check with another ruler. Perhaps the marking on your presser foot is a thread or so off the 1/4", check it on several places on the seam. You will learn where the true markings are on your equipment and then you shouldn't have any more problems. If your block is only off a tad (and until you get more experience), try cutting the side strips a bit bigger (1/4") and trim down the finished block to the correct size. The tiny bit bigger the edges will be will not be noticeable. Do not be hard on yourself - you are making a quilt! With each one, you will get more confident and your skills will improve.

***
*** Hi! Y'all from the upstate of South Carolina.
***

A long time ago I went to a workshop and the instructor (forgot her name) showed us how she worked with too small blocks to fit. She cut freezer paper the exact size of the block she wanted, then iron the too small block on it. Then she cut the paper from the block leaving the edges. She then had a guide to sew blocks together, fudging the seam allowance. Of course the block has to be slightly smaller and have enough for at least a 1/8 seam of fabric. I have sewn extra fabric to the block to fill in the seam allowance I needed. I have used the freezer paper way when I have blocks from exchanges or blocks made by others that have to go in a quilt.

Had to look up that block and found these instructions. Hope it may help!

http://quilting.about.com/od/blockof...dshipquilt.htm

New to Quilting
 

Welcome to the QB Dottiemae and happy days ahead with your new circle of friends. I love your attitude towards learning and enthusiasm for a new hobby - sounds as if you'll become quite proficient all in good time. Enjoy many learning curves and stay positive.

I have found that pressing from the top first has improved the accuracy of my blocks because in pressing from the back first, no matter how careful I tried to be, I always had little pleats in some of the seams. Now I always press from the top first and my accuracy is much improved.

In fact, I am so pleased that this flimsy I just added the borders to was perfectly square and my borders fit exactly. I didn't have to fudge the fit at all. :D

Welcome to the QB DottieMae! We're so glad you joined us, and no question is too dumb to ask. Some of us (or maybe a lot of us) may have been wondering the same thing, but were too shy to ask.:wave: