Pulling my hair out.
 

I am starting a quilt for Christmas for my daughter. Easy enough (yeah, right) She requested a quilt in black, white and
red.
I want to make pieced squares of different fabrics in a striped design. No problem. Using 4 fabrics (B,W&R) I cut the fabrics 2 1/2 inches wide. Stitched them together. Looks great! I plan on putting a 1 inch black border around every block then using a red sashing set on point. See design wall photo. The white spaces in between will be in black kona.
I go to square them up. BIG problem. I had used a 2 1/4 binding ruler! Oh nooooooo. This caused major problems.
Here is where I need the quilting gurus to help solve this problem.
I can square the blocks into 6 1/2 x 6 1/2 but......placing my ruler on the middle seam of the block, it would take a lot off the top and bottom row. OUCH. I plan on putting a 1 inch black border around each block. I dont have the time or money right now to start over again . Any suggestions would be so greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Cindy in TN

I am soo confused. too early in the morning I guess. Would restitching just the center seam inward bring the pattern into line? I am trying to even up the stripes widths

I will be watching this thread to see what the masters say, I have one with the same problem.

I don't think it would really matter that much if you cut all the squares down to one size. It is your pattern and
people will think this is how the squares are suppose to look. Only you will know.

You could size the black border to square up the blocks. If the blocks are 6-1/2 x 7-1/2, which is what it looks like to me, you could 'square' them all to that size, and then put 1" black border on 2 sides, and 1/2" black border on the other 2, to make squares that are 8-1/2 unfinished. Then you are back on plan.
Also, if all the blocks are like the one in the pic, it looks like you could square them to 7x7-1/2 and your borders could be 3/4 and 1/2", and the variance would be less obvious

do you have enough of the white and red to just make the blocks 6 3/4 to 7 in I do this a lot I matter hoe hard I try sometimes my blocks are just a tad bigger that what makes quilts our own

Really like your quilt. It is going to be beautiful. Because you have a lot going on, take the easiest way for you. If you square up the blocks the way you were going to it will not be noticeable to anyone who is not looking to meausre your quilt!

If all your top/bottom strips of black print are trimmed then it is simply a new strip pattern--top/bottom not the same as two middle but still uniform throughout. Your own "new" design. Your quilt pattern and layout are both very nice.

With the variety of pattern in your strips, I think you can just cut it down to 6 1/2" and it will look fine.

This is what I would do. Another idea is to just run with the size they are now but keep them all oriented the same direction. Your quilt will be a little narrower (or shorter) than your original plan but it will still work.