Hello, I have just finished making 36 blocks for a quilt that I found the pattern for in a magazine. It is from Quilters World April 2009, the Blue Betty. The instructions say they are to be 12x12. I am uncertain how to square these up before putting them together. Do I take my 12x12 ruler and make them exactly 12x12 or do I add the 1/4 inch to each side making them 12 1/4 each side for the seam allowance. I am a fairly new quilter and I am also unsure how to "square" up. I have a square ruler, 12 1/2 x 12x 1/2. Do I just take a little off each side until the block measures 12X12? Thank you for any help you can give me.

Most blocks end with 1/2" for seam allowances.
I line my ruler up on the blocks, Look over the whole block and decide where to trim. You don't want to get too close to where there are points, you want to use one of horizontal and vertical lines on the ruler to match to your seams or evenly alongside, to make sure your block will be straight as well as square. You may find you trim more off of one side than the other... but it is best to trim a tiny bit all the way around if you can :D:D:D

You can't always just trim a bit off the sides. If there are points invovled, you have to leave the 1/4 inch seam allowances past the points or when you sew the blocks together all of your points vanish.

Sadly, I speak from experience on this issue. I have many flats where there should've been points.

Thank you, I will give it my best shot. I dont want to mess up my hard work in piecing all the squares and getting it to this part.

It if says 12" finished blocks, then the block should measure 12 1/2" square. It should state clearly in the instructions. Finished or unfinished dimensions are always given.

If your blocks are oversized or wonky/distorted, you can find a central line or point and trim all sides to even out the block and make it 12.5"

If the block is undersize, you can lightly moisten/starch it and lightly pull it to the correct size. Pin it to that size and let it dry. (That's called "blocking")

Under Specifications it says, Quilt Size 91X91 Block Size 12X12 Number of blocks 36
It does have a picture of a block and says under it Blue Betty 12X12 Block Make 36 Unfortunately it does not say finished block such and such.

My guess would be that the blocks are 12x12 finished, so the unfished size you would trim to would be 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 just like your ruler. Lay your ruler down over the top of your block and line it up so that the block is straight up/down and side/side. Then you would trim to the ruler dimensions. Sometimes you have to fudge a little if the block isn't big enough or if there are points along the edges. Can you post a picture of the block? That may help us help you.

Just found this on Quilter's World website. Is this what you are working on? If so, there are no points to worry about, so I would go with 12 1/2 square if you can.

Another thing to consider. Several times, I've ended up with blocks all close to the same size but smaller than the directions. Since this quilt has plain borders around it, if you happen to end up with your blocks only @ 12 inches, don't worry, they will all fit together and you'll just have to adjust your borders a little when you get to that point.

I may have this magazine at home, I'll take a look after work.

I just measured what it says the finished top to be, 91x91 and added in the demensions of the borders. I believe you are right, the unfinished block is 12 1/2. That is the only way to make it come out to the 91x91 size with the borders and making exception for their seam allowances as well.

Yes!!! That is the quilt only mine is in oranges, browns and paisley.

Pretty! I like how the shading makes a secondary design. Make sure an show us a picture when you are done.

Yes, I will. I call mine the Rusty Betty as I started it and now am finishing all my UFOs in 2010. Thank you for your help.

I you have a wonky block or one that is a tad too small. Iron it on freezer paper and square up the freezer paper to the exact size you need. It works. Here is a link to see pictures:


http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransso...g-block-c.html

Great pattern!

Wow! What a great idea with the freezer paper! Thank you.

Yes, I love the pattern too, I just wasnt crazy about the blue and brown so mine is in cream, oranges, and a rusty brown. I like the 3-D effect. I will post a picture when I get it sewn together.

Wow! what a technique. I knew freezer paper had its uses in sewing but had never encountered this use before. Thanks for the link!

i would think 12 inch is the "finished" measurement after being sewn into a quilt. 12 1/2 is the unfinished size.

I also believe the (unfinished) block is 12.5" square and, once its sewn together with other blocks, it will measure a finished 12".

Sometimes a little thing will catch my attention and make me re-think something. You've already noticed that your square ruler is 12.5 inches, yes? When I first got my ruler, I wondered about that extra 1/2 inch. In fact, it seemed a lot of my rulers (all, actually) have that extra 1/4 or 1/2 inch. Hmmmm, why?

Not to be superstitious but I take that as "there's something here I need to understand and/or pay attention to! What is the ruler trying to tell me??" Ooooooo -- <insert spooky sounds> --- Could it be that its trying to say "let me help by preserving the seam allowance when you square up." ???

Sorry, late in the work day for me. Give me another hour and, yes, the rulers will start talking to me. :shock: I figure that someone much more clever than me has created this ruler. They know what they're doing, I don't, so maybe it would be good to try and figure out why something was designed a certain way. Sometimes it saves me. Oh oh, who's calling me. Is it my rulers??

I hope to see it posted when you get it done.

Thank you for the chuckle. Too true. There has to be a reason, so before I start cutting away on something I know that I should think it through. Too many times I have had to redo blocks, or Frankenstein them back together because I thought I knew more than the ruler. I have even had to go through the waste bin and retrive scraps to sew back together.

Thank you! Your understanding of my ranting has made my day. :-)

My final thought for today... "BE ONE WITH THE RULER!"

I have been asked time and time again how big my quilt will be. My answer: It will be what it will be. With the exception of the blocks in the swaps, I have NEVER finished a quilt to a given size and I admire anyone who manages that feat.

I never measure my finished size of a quilt. I assume it to be close to what the pattern says it should be. I always think to measure it but, I decide it really doesn't matter. If it is for our bed, if it fits it is okay, if I give it away I don't worry about it.

i mark my template squares diagonally with either marking tape (that skinny stuff in horrible neon colors) or thin magic marker. then i can center up the blocks and see what needs to be trimmed and be sure it will end up centered evenly. david made me a full set of plastic squares from home depot plastic, in sizes 4.5 up to 12.5. i marked every one diagonally. all i do with them is center blocks up for trimming. but you can mark any store-bought plastic square ruler.

Thank you for all the advice. Good tips. The blocks are squared and trimmed and ready to be sewn togther today.

Good info.

Great idea--thanks and you could reuse the freezer paper 2 or 3 times couldn't you?

12.5 by12.5 would be perfect but as long as they are all the same size you will be OK.

Ooooohhh, progress! Can't wait to see a picture of your quilt!

I have the squares all sewn together now. I will have a someone at our guild tomorrow take a picture of it so I can get it posted.

That's a really nice design, the colours are perfect for it. I'm so glad I don't have that magazine - my 'projects to do' file is bulging already and I'm only a beginner!

Thanks for the link. What a great little trick for squaring up wonky blocks!