Snowmen in Winter Block Swap--Sign ups close 10/15/2013
#141

I'm out of my corner now. I have everything cut for three blocks.
Has anyone else had issues before with using a 1/4 guide foot and coming up short on the entire block length? I have to rip out part of a block that I put together because it's a 1/4 short of the 12.5. I know it's not me. I made sure I went slow sewing so there's no wobbles and I made sure I checked a billion times before cutting and checked again when I was done cutting to make sure everything was correct. I think I'm going to take the row apart and then get another colored painters tape and mark for a smaller seam allowance.
Ugh I hate malfunctions but at the same time I'm glad because this is giving me time to learn more and get better. And even through teething my monster is letting me get sporadic spurts of work done during the day plus working during naps and bedtime.
Has anyone else had issues before with using a 1/4 guide foot and coming up short on the entire block length? I have to rip out part of a block that I put together because it's a 1/4 short of the 12.5. I know it's not me. I made sure I went slow sewing so there's no wobbles and I made sure I checked a billion times before cutting and checked again when I was done cutting to make sure everything was correct. I think I'm going to take the row apart and then get another colored painters tape and mark for a smaller seam allowance.
Ugh I hate malfunctions but at the same time I'm glad because this is giving me time to learn more and get better. And even through teething my monster is letting me get sporadic spurts of work done during the day plus working during naps and bedtime.
#143
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Connellsville Pa
Posts: 1,494

Not sure what I was thinking, and you ladies are going to laugh. I was squareing up my blocks and I had a panic moment. I thought I was squareing up to 10.5 blocks. I started cutting, got all my blocks cut. Now I was using my 12.5 squaring tool. I am thinking that now I would have to add a boarder to all my blocks to get the 12.5 size. The funny part was I had squared all my blocks to the correct size, and I am OK. Glad I figured this out before I started adding the boarders.
I have two sets completed and two more to go.
I have two sets completed and two more to go.
#147

Fantastic, some more pieced blocks to add to the applique ones. Glad you did those. Tfch8184, one thing I learned a while back from an old quilt show on HGTV, from Sally Collins, is that we all have our own ppm, and that is why the 1/4" foot is not always the perfect answer. If you take into account the thickness of your thread, the pressing of the seam and the depth of the ruler, you can be off on the 1/4". What she says to do is sew shy of the 1/4" edge of the foot. Sew this way till you come out perfect. So take two same size cut squares, sew them together, lets say 2.5" squares, sew them together. They should then measure 4.5" when done, if not, sew them again and again, of course ripping each time wrong, or toss them and start with a different pair, until you come out correct. Knowing how you acquired the correct size with the thread and fabric you are using will tell you where you must feed your fabric so you come out correctly. Piece a few minature quilts applying these principals, guarantee you will start sewing exactly the 12.5" squares. Mine have a tendancy to come out 12 3/8" which drives me crazy so I have to spit a seam and try over. Sally Collins is fantastic at getting the pieces correct. http://www.sallycollins.org/
#149
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Helena, Alabama
Posts: 735

Thanks Mariposa! I've tried several times to post the block pictures, but no luck
Can't seem to figure out what I'm doing wrong since I have successfully posted pictures in the past . . . "go figure"!! Oh well, I had Snowman fun this time around . . .


Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mariposa
Member Swaps and Round/Row Robins
54
03-10-2014 07:15 AM
Mariposa
Member Swaps and Round/Row Robins
91
11-21-2013 02:39 AM
Mariposa
Member Swaps and Round/Row Robins
45
09-03-2013 03:10 PM
Mariposa
Member Swaps and Round/Row Robins
160
05-28-2013 12:11 PM
rwquilts
Member Swaps and Round/Row Robins
743
02-23-2013 08:14 AM