What size is that block?????????????
 

Okay, folks, we need help with this. My sewing group makes a quilt every year to donate to the place where we use the conference room. They raffle it off. :) We all make 3-6 blocks and we combine it for a quilt. We said this year to make 12 1/2" blocks. In going thru the books and internet, I've made 3 blocks I can't use!!!! Others are having this problem, too! The instructions will say it's a 12" FINISHED block. To us, a FINISHED block is the block as it is in the FINISHED quilt. So, before putting it in the quilt, it should be 12 1/2". BUT we're ending up with 12" blocks that will be 11 1/2" when in the quilt.

What, in your opinion do they mean by FINISHED --- when IN the quilt, or BEFORE it's added to the quilt.

:) Oh, this is to get your opinion --- I solved MY problem by making 8" blocks and adding a mini sashing to make the block 12 1/2" :)

I completely agree that a block is 1/2 inch larger than a FINISHED block. So yes, a 12 1/2 inch block put into a quilt becomes a 12 inch block.

I think a finished block is without the seam allowance, but not sewn into a quilt top. Once it's into a quilt top it's not longer a seperate block. A 12" finished block would be measured without considering the seam allowance.

So, TanyaL -- you're saying that if the pattern says 12" finished, then as I look at this lonely block, not sewn to anything, that it's 12"???????

Absolutely, a 12-inch block is actually 12-1/2 inches before it's sewn into the quilt. I've never heard any differently.

12" FINISHED is 12.5" UNFINISHED (unless the person who wrote the pattern incorrectly used the term).

Which block is it?

If you're all ending up with 12" UNFINISHED blocks, maybe there is something wrong with the pattern.

It means that it would be an 11.5 FINISHED block, which is really uncommon - it doesn't easily fit in a regulary gridded block pattern 3x3, 4x4, etc.

If you add up the FINISHED sizes of your block components from the pattern, what total measurement do you come up with?

My understanding 12" finished is when sewn into a quilt or whatever so when you finish constructing 1block prior to sewing anyrhing to it it should measure 12 1/2". I have found on quilter's cache that her patterns end up smaller so I move my needle to the right one click if you have a machine you can do that. If not check your seam allwance to make sure you are sewing a scant 1/4". This is what I have found in the past. Hope I helped :)

In my opinion:

A 12 inch "finished" block measures 12.5 inches before it's sewn to anything else.

A 12.5 inch "unfinshed" block will have 12 inches showing (finished size) after it's been incorporated into the item and all the seam allowances are 'used up'

Are you all making the same block? Were the instructions (and measurements) checked before making more than one block?

Some instructions are just plain wrong!

If it still has a raw edge it's not finished.

Agree ... if you are getting a "block" that is supposed to "finish" at 12" ... when you are done making the single block and ready to put it into a quilt that block should be 12.5".

For example to use a commonly used source - when you look at QuiltersCache and she indicates "this is a 12" block" - that BLOCK should be 12.5" when you are done making it.

I too have had problems with some of the free blocks on some sites so I have taken to either measuring the individual cuts in the pattern, or making the block in EQ7 to get the right measurements.

I have always been told that a "finished" block size is the size it ends up being after it is sewn into whatever project it is for. If a project requires a 12" finished block, then the unfinished block will be 12 1/2" to allow for the 1/4" seam allowance.

Okay! Thanks for the info.
FYI! We all make whatever block we want. We did this last year and had problems with some turning out 12" instead of 12 1/2". All but 1 of us are experienced....so we couldn't figure it out. I've started looking at various quilt patterns in magazines and run across a few that don't add up. I went to my EQ 7 and put in a 12 1/2" block. The block is a 16 patch. EQ7 says (when rotary cutting) to cut the patches at 3 5/8....4 x 3 5/8" = 14 1/2. Subtract the three seams ( 1 1/2") gives me a block that's 13"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And other configurations (adding a diagonal on each of the blocks) says to cut the block at 4".....which I did and ended up with a block that's too small! BTW - my seams are a perfect 1/4"....and a slight move to the right won't make up for 1/2" on 4 cuts.

Has anyone else had problems with EQ7???

12" finished means 12 1/2" unfinished. This is quilting 101. Shame on the block designer for not knowing the difference.

In EQ, you would want to make a 12" block.

When designing the block, you deal with FINISHED measurements.
In the block set-up, if you're desiging your own, you would set the block size at 12", not 12.5".

And when printing you also input the FINISHED size, so again, it would be 12", not 12.5".

You could set it up as whatever, but EQ always assumes it's FINISHED.

The program will add the necessary seam allowances for you when printing templates, rotary cutting instructions, foundations, etc. (if you choose that option - it's a default, so I'm sure you do).

And a 12" block (FINISHED), will result in instructions to cut 3.5" squares (or whatever).

Okay -- that answers why I've been going so crazy!!!!! LOL Thanks!!!

Wow I learned something to. Thanks everyone. You all are wonderful!!

It's 12" plus however much seam allowance you use. Some people use 1/4" for each seam, some use a scant 1/4" inch and some use whatever they want to use, which is why they don't participate in trading blocks.

Ditto for me. Have you tried Rhonda's blocks? I just finished her October block swap and it was so accurate at 12.5 (before putting it in a quilt.) I used a Boston block and it turned out really nice.

If you are cutting your pieces to have a 12.5 UNFINISHED block, that is what you ought to have. Use the same method you did to get an 8" FINISHED block.

how can a block be "finished" but not sewn into anything?

If all the blocks "finished" at 11.5" then why didn't you just use them and add s narrow extra border to make up the difference in the size of the finished quilt.

We tried that, but a 1/4" border all around looked really odd.

Thank you all ---- I'll keep track of what patterns I run into that do not turn out the size they say. I am precise in my cutting and always double check the seam to make sure I'm 1/4" --- and I believe the other ladies do it, too. I just wanted an idea if all of US were on the same track. :) And as one said, it's quilting 101, so I have been surprised when I get a size other than what I've aimed for.

Its been my experience that not all directions are spot on. I have books of patterns that I have had to coreect the numbers or counts of items to cut. We still need proof readers and I wish they would come back.

They probably want a 12 inch finished block. We have some members that will cut a block down to 12 inches unfinished. Thus the reason for asking the block to be 12 1/2 inches. They probably should have clarified it better but I would go with 12 " finished.

thank you!!! thought t was just me. yes, In my less than experienced journey, I assumed it becam a 12 inch block AFTER it was sewn into the quilt.

Your dilemma illustrates just why all quilters need to learn to draft their blocks/patterns. Then, no matter what size you want your finished block to be, you can do it by drafting the pattern, cutting it apart and adding 1/4" on all sides of the pattern pieces, and making a trial block. I know it takes time, but I learned to draft in my first quilting class and I am so grateful to my teacher for having us learn that skill.

Another way you might rescue those 12" blocks, rather than trying to add a very narrow sashing around the edge... depending on the design of the block, you cut them in half top to bottom and side to side (dividing the block into 1/4s) and add a 1/2 inch or 1 inch (finished width) sashing forming a plus in the middle of the block and then trim it down to 12 1/2 inches, now forming a 12" finished block. It won't look as much like you are trying to make a block bigger as add the sashing around the edge does. A friend of mine just made a quilt that started with log cabin type blocks that were then cut in 1/4s and black sashing was added to the middle making a + in the center of each block. I haven't seen the finished quilt yet, but it is for her son and he loves it.

I agree if it still has raw edges it is not a finished block! So a 12 in finished block should measure 12 1/2 in, in my own humble opinion.

I'd say that a finished 12" block means that it will "finish" when sewn into a quilt at 12". It should measure 12 1/2" after it it pieced, then finish off at 12 after it's put into the quilt.

Finished as in "I have finished making this block. I have not finished making this quilt top. All the blocks are finished. The quilt top is not started yet." Or perhaps, "I have finished making this block. I do not like the pattern. I will add it to my collection of finished blocks to do something with at some future day."

Jenny Beyer's blocks sometimes are 11-3/4" unfinished and then 11-1/4" finished. Drives me crazy. That's one reason my Moonglow is still a UFO.

I noticed that, too. At first,I thought MY piecing was off.

I sure wonder why she did that? Maybe to minimize poachers?

But then, the pattern was offered free on her site a while ago.

you know, i have always just blamed my piecing skills when a 12" finished block came out at 11-1/2". maybe i will reconsider that now. i will have to measure the pieces and see if it can ever be a 12" finished block before i put it together. thanks.