Wierd cutting sizes
 

Just an observation. When I started quilting, about 2 years ago, I bought several patterns and a kit. I just cracked into them and each one has these crazy size cutting instructions. Like 3 1/8 squares, 5 5/8 by 7 3/4 rectangles and so on. And they aren't going to be HSTs or geese. What's up with that? Maybe its just because I'm a beginner, but those sizes just seem strange to me!

If the pieces go together nicely, tthen they are the correct sizes.

I think some pattern designers use odd sizes to minimize copying of their patterns.

Hmmmm. Where did the patterns and kit come from? They sound as if they are quite old. Nowadays it's rare to see cutting instructions like that. Do they have any stars? Do you have the pattern names?

You might want to use some paper scraps and cut the sizes directed and lay it all out. The end result might be something familiar to you in a completely different manner. I have a pattern for a feathered star quilt that after reading the directions, my head was spinning. I took it to my LQS for some guidance. The person there I spoke with made the comment, oh, they have you doing x,y,z just in a different manner. All well and good. Still haven't done that quilt yet. One day when my mind is much clearer I'll follow my own advice here and work it all out differently.

Are the pieces cut bigger, then trimmed down? Sounds like that might be it.

When I was a younger quilter, I remember that there was a prevalent mindset that said-- good quilters do not trim to size after piecing-- they cut precisely and stitch precisely, and the resulting block was precise and needed no adjustments. I think it led to a lot of frustrated quilters and people who walked away from projects (and the pursuit of quilting). The 7/8 markings on my rulers don't get a lot of attention anymore. For me, a lot of it has to do with the realization that my time and the enjoyment of creation are greater factors than no-waste stitching and extreme detail.

May just have something to do with the program they used to design the pattern in too. I do a lot of designing in EQ6 - and often times I'll start with the finished size quilt I want to make and then build my blocks to fit in it. So sometimes it will come up with blocks of really strange measurements so that all go together using my specifications. :)

I don't know who told you RST that old wise tale but that is nothing but a ton of hogwash !! It doesn't matter the path you take, just as long as you get there. Eleanor Burns would be out of business if that hog wash was true. Usually, I find when blocks are set on point that you may run into some of those wonky sizes. Good Luck !!

Bear, I know my cut sizes seem 'odd' sometimes because they are necessary to make the sections fit the size block I need rather than to prevent copying of my patterns. That never occurred to me and I can't think it has to many other pattern designers.

If a pattern calls for 12" blocks, those cut measurements will be different than if the block size is 10", for instance.

Jan in VA

Dearest Maniac Quilter,
Which part of the post in which I described my quilting experience was hogwash? I took a few classes in the early 80s, before rotary cutters, rulers and mats were mainstream. There was definitely a culture that valued precision and mathamatical qualities of piecing at that time-- using templates and super fine point pencils and scissors and being very careful in the cutting and marking of peices. That's not hogwash-- it's just how quilters operated at that time. If the original poster is using patterns and directions that hearken from that time, or are written by a designer who uses that mindset, that's why there are a lot of unusual cutting sizes.

I'm certainly not advocating for a return to those days. Did your reading of my post lead you to believe I was?

RST

Dearest Maniac Quilter,
Which part of the post in which I described my quilting experience was hogwash? I took a few classes in the early 80s, before rotary cutters, rulers and mats were mainstream. There was definitely a culture that valued precision and mathamatical qualities of piecing at that time-- using templates and super fine point pencils and scissors and being very careful in the cutting and marking of peices. That's not hogwash-- it's just how quilters operated at that time. If the original poster is using patterns and directions that hearken from that time, or are written by a designer who uses that mindset, that's why there are a lot of unusual cutting sizes.

I'm certainly not advocating for a return to those days. Did your reading of my post lead you to believe I was?

RST

I have had a whole bunch of squares to make that were 3-7/8" square. It all works -----use the directions! Edie

I too remember a time when quilters used templates and scissors, and made precision cuts to the size needed, and I don't think they would have considered another way, at least the few I knew wouldn't. There was no cutting bigger and trimming down, and not a lot of short cuts. Trimming down meant waste, and they were too frugal to waste, and so they didn't. The woman who got me interested in quilting, cut precisely with her scissors, and pieced and quilted by hand, and that seemed to be the quilting "law" at the time. I am thankful for her tutelage, and her shared templates, because I learned so much from her, and I appreciate that tradition, but am grateful for rotary cutters and shorter versions of quilt block instructions.

I have to admit that when I took classes back in the early 70's, we made everything to size, we didn't even think of doing it a little larger and trimming it back to size. That said, I much prefer the way we do it now. cut it a little larger, sew it together and cut to the correct size. Much less frustrating.

I have patterns where I am told to cut a border piece to something like 62-3/8 inches.

I am fairly accurate with my piecing, but I will ALWAYS cut my border pieces an inch or two longer than the pattern says. ( yes, I do measeure the center in several places, but I still prefer to have a bit of wiggle roon on a longer length.

Times like this I love metric!

Bearisgray ---

I remember that too.

Or the binding technique where you measured your quilt carefully, to the 1/8th inch, cut your binding to the precise length, then stitched it into a loop with all the joins mitered, and if you were doing it right, it all fit. That expectation translated to a lot of UFOs for me.

RST

If the center of block is going "on point," it will have some strange measurements. Keep in mind that when you are making HST units, the seam allowance addition is 7/8". Like above, I would play with a paper mock-up. Cut the pieces out (all of them) at the size they call for. Fold over the seam allowances & see how well they play together.

Theoretically, that should work. If the binding was cut on the bias, that would allow for a little stretch.

I don' t recall a pattern like that, but ilearned along time ago to wait until I get go the borders to cut them.

The Aphrodite quilt (was in the winter 2013 Quilt Trends) I'm working on right now has all manner of weird measurements, but a large portion of the quilt is triangles and on point.

I've just taken to marking my ruler at those measurements and ignoring the lines on the ruler other than for checking "straight"

I don't understand the fear of measurements that aren't 1/4, 1/2 or 3/4. If your ruler has 1/8 and 1/16 lines what's the difference what line you measure and cut on? I made a quilt, I think a Judy Martin, pattern that had some pieces with a 3/8 measurements. It was what the piece needed to be so the outcome would be a certain size block. The block pieces fit perfectly. Years ago the quilting classes and magazines did not feature quick and easy methods that I can remember.

Well I know you sometimes need those wacky sizes but I don't like to have to cut them. The infrequently used lines on the ruler are hard for me to see!
Good luck with your kits
Cindy

I remember an old quilt kit that I bought on ebay - when I received it and looked at the instructions I found all those "weird" measurements. I did do them and they were necessary for the quilt but I much prefer the "standard" measurements and cutting a little larger to trim down. So much less stressful!!!