Points or partial points question
 

I'm in the process of making this quilt in a Calif. King size (which I started a long, long time ago). The instructions were unclear if the finished blocks were to be 12" or 12 1/2" square. I started making blocks way before I realized the importance of measuring & trimming your blocks as you make them. Now that I'm getting it out & working on the blocks again I see that most of my blocks are less than 12 1/2" unfinished (& untrimmed) and some are "almost 12 1/2" unfinished & untrimmed. It looks like I am going to have to trim them all to 12" but that will mean I will be cutting off points ... big time. I don't guess I really have a question as it seems I have no option unless someone has a suggestion for me.

Also, this quilt is going to be for my personal use & will probably be using the quilt as you go method on it since I won't be able to stuff it all under my little harp on my domestic machine. QAYG will be a first for me. I want it to be as light weight as possible so what batting would you suggest? I'm thinking a very thin polyester but I'm certainly up for options.

Thanks in advance!

I have no answers for you - sorry. But I will be watching because I am dealing with points getting cut off too :) so I feel your pain

Other than reworking your seams in the blocks, I have no options for you to fix them. As for the batting, I might be tempted to use a flannel sheet (or two sewn together and trimmed to size).

Sadly I don't think there is anything you can do to save the points unless you made each element larger from the beginning. I do that sometimes so I don't lose my points. As for the batting I use 80/20 blend for summer quilts or for someone who is warm all the time. You don't by any chance have enough fabric to redo your blocks or maybe you could take it down to 11 1/2" block? I have had to do this when the fabric frayed more than I thought it would. Good luck with your dilemma! I actually think with the hourglass unit and the hst cutting it down will probably be your best bet.

A couple of suggestions for those pesky points.

Check the 1/4 inch seam to make sure it is accurate.

Sew with a thin piecing thread. It doesn't take up as much space in the seam allowance.

Draw the 1/4 inch seam line if needed.

Check the block after pressing and be sure there are no folds in the seam allowance.

Make sure you are cutting correctly. Try the cutting mark lined up over the edge instead of right on the edge. That line counts and will add up if you start with a piece that is cut short.

If you are only a little bit off, I would try easing them all in to fit. https://www.generations-quilt-patter...too-small.html

I would use the thinnest batting you can and start sewing the blocks together in rows, matching everything that you can. I am making the assumption that you are going to quilt one or two rows at a time. I would think about at least 4 rows sewn together, then doing your regular quilting on those 4 rows, being careful not to quilt into the seam allowance area. Then sew the different parts together, still matching and easing in the blocks. It will look good.


Edited to add: What is the name of the pattern? I like it.

I can't help you but, that quilt is beautiful, love the colors.

Question ... they were stitched as is, would the points be cut off?
Meaning ... do you have a 1/4" seam allowance for each block, even though they are different sizes?

If so, what you could do would be to add a strip around each of the blocks, then trim all blocks to the same size, such as 14" or whatever size you wanted. I would keep those add on strips to about the same size as the strips in the log cabins. They'll be inconsistent but would blend in.

You didn't mention your log cabin blocks ... are they all finishing out at the same size?
Or do you have the same problem to deal with them too?

I like the idea of adding a strip around each block. I think I would be able to save most of the points that way. The log cabin blocks are the same....some just under 12 1/2" (untrimmed) & some just about 12" (untrimmed). I'll have to go back & see just how QAYG is done but if I remember correctly, I think you use a sashing (strip) between each block to connect them. By adding the strip around each block & then trimming all to the same size, that could be my connection strip for QAYG...right?

The name of the pattern is Got the Blues by designer Karla Schulz. The pattern is in the June, 2010 Quilter's World magazine.

There are different QAYG methods, but yes, that is one.

My thoughts with the add in strip was that you could keep your points ... and the strip widths being different may not be so noticeable as a bunch of pointless points!

Take some time to draw it out on paper, and see what will work and look the best.
It's a beautiful pattern, but switching to QAYG will change the look of it some.

For me, I would sooner do the thinking of adding in the extra strips,
measuring and calculating with each block ...
... and have it all sorted out before I got to the actual QAYG step.

IOW Less thinking ... when working with the bigger pieces.