Question about Quilt Block Challenge rules
 

I'm reading over some challenge rules and it says blocks must measure 16 by 16 inches. Do you think this includes the seam allowance? Thanks.

The best bet, is to ask the person running the challenge. Normally the size required is a finished size, so yes, you would add the seam allowance. But, who knows if this is what is wanted in the challenge you are looking at? Is the challenge such that we could look at a website or do you have a memo you can post?

The blocks need to measure 16" x16".... Not 15 1\2, not 16 1\2....they will be returned if they do not measure 16" square

That's exactly the way I would interpret it as well.


That being said, Retiree, you are always better to double check with the source, to ensure there is no misunderstanding.

Ah, but it says COMPLETED blocks. Does that mean the same as a FINISHED block? (completed and finished are usually synonyms, but in quilting???)

I think that a finished block measuring 15.5" would be very strange. What divides evenly into 15.5? So I really think the blocks should measure 16.5 unfinished, 16 finished. But I agree with others - check with the source.

Thanks for the replies. I checked with the group, and Dunster is correct, it says completed blocks.

I too think Dunster is correct. A 16" finished block is able to be made up of many sizes in a pattern. I would certainly check with whoever is running this contest. Good Luck !!

My theory is that the person who wrote up the rules is not a quilter. A quilter told her (or him) that the finished block size should be 16", and this person wrote completed instead of finished, thinking that the meaning was that the block should be "completed" (that is, not half made) and didn't realize that finished has its own special meaning when attached to quilting blocks.

Amen to that.