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.

Update on the quilt. I trimmed the blocks to 6 1/2 x 6 1/2. I am surprised that the block still looks good! I dropped the black borders around each block and went with the red sashing and set on point. Lovely! I am now going to add wide black border with a very narrow red border. ) I wan to miter the corners, (this is something I have never done) Wish me luck!


Cindy

Hope we see the finished quilt.....please :).

Or make two different size blacks to fit in the white openings.

Oops finished reading and you already figured out a solution

This is my first thought. Restitch the center seam just inside the original seam which will make the center strips a little smaller, then you won't be taking as much off the outside bars. On the other hand - you could adopt wonky as your original intent and not have the bars be exactly the same size in each square - so take more off one side than the other on various blocks.

This is fixable.

Cheers, K

yes, go ahead. there are blocks made with strips of different widths, so it will be fine.

The modern quilts are wonky so intentionally cut and set them at different sizes. Google images for "modern quilt" and get inspired. I think your daughter would love it, no matter what you do.

I think your solution is great! But this points out that we need to be sure of the ruler measurements and to always use the same ruler when cutting fabric for that quilt. Which maybe why yours will turn out just fine. Looking forward to the finished photos.

This quilt went to the long armers on Thursday. I will post a pocket when it comes back!

I'm glad you were able to fix it, looks like a beautiful quilt from the blocks.

I would square them all to 6-1/2" centering the 2 strips that are in the center. The 2 outside strips will be a little narrower, but each the same size. Then I would alternate turning each block so a block has the seams lines running perpendicular and then the next block horizontal. It will make for a nice look (in my opinion) and you can tell people that was your own design! Would love to see a picture when you are done.