I have been quilting for several years but i have a p roblem and was wondering if any one else has this problem. after i cut my pieces of fabric and sew them together,(If my block should be 12 1/2 unfinished), why are my blocks 12 1/4 unfinished?? I have checked my 1/4 seam and it is right on. I would say this happens about 95% of the time. Does this happen to anyone else?

I do the same thing. I think for me, some of the blocks should be sewn with a scant 1/4", but I don't. I'm trying to be more careful with my seams, but it's the hardest part for me.

Try making your seams 1 or 2 threads short of ¼ inch (scant ¼ inch).

Many block patterns require a "scant 1/4 inch" seam to work out correctly. Try moving you needle a couple of threads over.

Also, I've found that in many patterns it doesn't really matter as long as all the blocks are the same. If you have a stack of 12 1/4 inch blocks they will go together nicely.

Today I was making a block for someone else so I was EXTRA careful with my 1/4" seam allowance-kept measuring as I went, pressed and guess what!! It's 12 1/4" instead of 12 1/2". I'd like to know where all these extra 1/4" are going and what gremlin is hoarding them LOL!! I'm very frustrated, like you are.

I thought that this only happened to me!

I use a scant 1/4 inch also. Think about the fold of the fabric.

Also check to see when you cut your fabric that you are cutting square and not angling the blade along the ruler.

I also make sure I cut on the outside of the line of the ruler and double check your ruler.

Put those three things together and you will end up with the extra 1/4 inch.

It falls into the same mystery category as "clothes dryer eating socks"!!

In baking it was called the meniscus - where you measured the liquid at the bottom of the liquid level for accuracy.

In quilting it matters where you measure the 1/4" from. Your check is the finished product.

ali

I use a "scant" 1/4 inch - I have figured where that is on my foot after hours of sewing and checking. Try to measure each section.

The real fact is "so what" - if you are doing a quilt and they all come out at 12.25 it is OK - the only time it really matters is when your blocks will be mixed with blocks made by someone else!!'