problems with 9 patch construction

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08-13-2010, 06:36 AM

#11

grammy Dwynn

Super Member

Join Date: May 2007

Location: Oregon

Posts: 2,042

The first thing(s) I learned about quilting. THREE things can make your block(s) come out correctly or incorrectly.
1) cutting
2) sewing
3) pressing

There have been times over my years of piecing that one, two or all three have affected my blocks.

I have added some more, that I have learned from experience;

4) mood affects my production
5) slow down, being fast is not always accurate.
6) relax

08-13-2010, 08:12 AM

#12

livenlearn124

Senior Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Way cross, Georgia

Posts: 383

OOOOOHHHH!! I love that ruler (square up), where did you get it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoyoteQuilts

I would starch and re-press first making sure I payed close attention to the seams. Sometimes I don't press each seam the best and that gives me wonky blocks.

Then I would re-cut. Here is a picture how to square up a 9 patch.
Cut 2 sides, rotate cut the other 2. See how the diagonal line on the ruler goes through the seams.

Does this help?

08-13-2010, 08:20 AM

#13

Prism99

Power Poster

Join Date: Dec 2008

Location: Western Wisconsin

Posts: 12,930

It is better to "block" the blocks to size than to trim. Sharon Schamber has several good Youtube videos on blocking to size. Here are links to them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6aplw_tVZc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQkF02vpVuw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-3RIWhBvcA

08-13-2010, 01:18 PM

#14

kso

Senior Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: Sierra Vista, AZ

Posts: 692

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prism99

Those were great videos. Thanks. I think I can probably do some stretching.

08-13-2010, 01:21 PM

#15

kso

Senior Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: Sierra Vista, AZ

Posts: 692

Quote:

Originally Posted by amma

You are correct. If you take 3/4" off of the sides of some, it will make your outer blocks too small.
It also probably means that you will have diffilculty lin ing up your seams with the rest of the blocks.
I would probably change the pattern design if they are all this way. Sash them and then square them up, the difference won't be as noticeable then.
An accurate 1/4" seam is very important, measure as you go and you can catch discrepancies earlier on :wink:

My friend and I talked about using sashing last night. That would be a do-able alternative.

08-13-2010, 03:03 PM

#16

BellaBoo

Power Poster

Join Date: Jan 2009

Location: Front row

Posts: 14,646

Iron the blocks to freezer paper cut to the block size you want. Then mark a 1/4" seam line and sew on the line. You may have some seams 1/8" going to 3/4" but the blocks will match up.