I don't even bother looking at the measurements they are supposed to be anymore. One of the best books I own is triangle free quilts. The reason being is she has you cut for your blocks out those together and then has you remeasure to see what size blocks you have then cut for the next part and so on. I hardly ever match up with the perfectness of the pros and your looking at a picture there is no proof even there sample was perfect to the measurements in the pattern. I'm not picky on a particular size though so I always square up my blocks and go from there and all my quilts have turned out so nice and I have always been happy!

I have found mistakes in some patterns too. If squares match up and quilt comes out a bit smaller than what I want I increase the border sizes to get it the size I want.

I learned the hard way that following the edge of my quarter-inch foot does not guarantee a quarter-inch seam -- I actually need the fabric to run just under the edge, not at the edge. It's very frustrating, and I have had blocks turn out too small and been unable to send them to swaps.

I feel for you!

The best way I have found to make sure of your seam allowances - and I do believe this is the culprit in most cases - is to cut 3 strips 1 1/2" wide. Sew the strips together long ways. At the ironing board - set the seams and then press the seam allowances out. Measure the center strip. Is it 1" wide??? Too narrow? Your seam is too big. Too wide? Your seam is too small. Once you get it RIGHT - put masking tape on your machine in the right place! It takes only a little bit of time and saves so much frustration.

I have to use a scant on all my blocks. Even using a quarter inch foot my blocks never come out full size.
It dosnt matter for your own quilts but when making blocks with others they need to be the right size.
So now I set my machine with smaller seams all the time even though it has a quarter inch setting.
Even using different machines I still have to use scant.
It is not my cutting as I measure to make sure the pieces are the right size.

Thanks guys! I've tried suggestions given and found out that my current system of using a sticky note pad next to the presser foot was off. I guess the rubber band I use to hold it in place got a little loose therefore it had shifted. Also, I misplaced the ruler I normally use. I'm hoping to have the 'perfect square' once I take care of these 2 problems.

Hi Jackie,

You should come join us in the Block of the Week that Jennifer Chiaverini sponsors. It's a lot of fun! Just visit the SBS website at www.sylviasbridalsampler.com.

Lynda

I've also found a big difference depending on the thread you use. Test your 1/4" seam with both a 30 wt. and a 60 wt. and you'll see the difference.

I didn't know there was a 30 & 60 weight thread. :eek:

Lots of good suggestions -

Double check your pattern pieces - if you used templates - make sure they are the correct size.

I had bought some plastic templates with the pattern shapes printed on them. Turned out that the "square" was 4-1/2 x 4-5/8 - which explained why my pieces weren't going together very well. I didn't figure that out until the quilt was done, though!!! Hey - I bought it - it should have been perfect, right?

Now I trust myself a lot more than I did then.

Learn and live!