The blocks are 12" finished, which means when they are sewn into a quilt they measure 12". Before they are sewn into a quilt, also known as "unfinished" they will measure 12.5 inches.

Last time was my first boom, it was great fun! I have been swapping for years and it was one of the best returns I have had.

Lori
in So Cal

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This is my FAVORITE square ruler to use. It shows me how my block squares up. Before I trim them I press them to death! For my own blocks I use heavy starch and it helps me greatly.

If I have a block that has seams that "split" the block into quarters, I line the 6.25" mark on the center seam lines and use the diagonal line to go "corner to corner" then trim off any excess. ( I use 6.25 because your block should be 12.5 or more )

If the block isn't big enough, then I have to add "borders" to all the sides of the block, press / starch firmly and then trim down to 12.5.

I put a piece of blue painters tape on my 1/4" line on my machine...however, I continue this tape down the front of my machine so I have a visual mark to line up my seam well before I get to the needle. I also use a 1/4" foot with the guide on the side of it but I have found the tape is my best method of lining up the seams.

Having a "real" 12.5" block is soooooo very important for your finished block.

As they have mentioned, a "finished" block is one that has been sewn into a finished item. (Pickup a finished quilt top and measure a block) An "unfinished" block is what you have when you do your design layout of blocks before you sew them into a final project.

I need one of those. I changed my foot today and I think my guide is different, I'll be fine. Someone need to develop a feed that is a "Scant 1/4".... or maybe I need to check and see if there isn't one I can get. I really have to catch up.

Prayers going your way Being dehydrated is really hard on your body, so get better and drink your water~

I get a lot of my block patterns from the Quilters Cache, I am enjoying the new things I have learned. this will be my 3 boom swap and I can tell you the first few blocks I mailed out have really improved since the beginning.

Oh I hope I end up in your group. I have some Dr Seuss Fabric that has been looking for somewhere to go. Thanks for the mailing answers

Tip of the day: I was watching a missouri quilt co video and she mentioned setting the block first after stitching the seam then turning, finger pressing and finally pressing. It helps keep the block in shape. I sometimes end up just slightly off and today found that setting press first before flipping makes a big diff in keeping the size. Block was slightly to the left however so I pinned the top to corners to my ironing board, gently pulled one side over to make it square again, pinned, and again in final corner. Sprayed block with starch (never steam if you are worried about perfect seams) and pressed firmly but not moving left or right. Let it cool.. now I have a perfect square not wonky shaped at all. well worth the two extra minutes to get it right. This swapping with other quilters is.. work. I think you guys are GOOD.. this is forcing me to do it right the first time and to worry about those points. I think its simplier with non quilters. A challege is a good thing.

This is why I was scouring blocks to see 1. which ones were my skill level or that I would enjoy doing. 2. Blocks that highlight the one main fabric for the sender I will be making blocks for. I challenge myself to do it right. I have made three since last night with my own fabrics to find them. Only one wasn't 12.5, but a perfect 12. Eleanor Burns also always sets the seam when pressing. I did that too. I loved the second and third blocks I did. Each different, but more about the fabric then my sewing skills. Accurate cutting, pressing, pinning and sewing... makes for a lovely block. Even the simple block becomes a welcome addition to your quilt when it's done right. :thumbup:


I think I did see in the rules not to use starch or majic or anything like that because of allergies? I use it on mine, but I don't think I can on those I am shipping back home to their momma's.

Count me in for a small group, info sent

Worst case, if you consistently end up with 12" instead of 12.5", when you do your cutting, add an extra 1/2" to the pieces. Maybe it's more if you have a lot of seams since each seam reduces your size by 1/4". I'm not really sure how you'd do it exactly - I'd probably draw it out and do some mathy-maneuver to decide how much bigger things would be. But off the top of my head, increasing everything by 1/2" makes sense to me.