I made this Sawtooth Star Block, and as beautiful as it is it falls short of the 12 1/2" in the directions. GRRR! This is the link I used to make the block. I really wanted it to be 12 1/2"!!! (My Bernina Activa does an accurate 1/4" seam allowance)

http://delawarequilts.com/BOMs/Sawtooth/index.html

Very pretty.

Very nice colors!

I am not sure why it would fall short. The measurements are correct. Maybe with the pressing, you need a scant quarter inch seam. Sometime I will use 4" squares for the hst and square them to 3 1/2".

Very pretty block. I also have trouble with the size of my blocks. I am currently using a Bernina Aurora 440/QE but my blocks still are off a bit. I backed off the pressure on the presser foot and it helped some, not a lot. I think it is the nature of sewing two pieces together and ironing them. This does not lend itself to accurate block sizes just because of the fold when we iron the seams. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. LOL.

I love it!! Beauitful fabrics!

I pressed it really flat, and am stumped myself why it fell short. I am redoing another block to see if it will come out differently.

Your block is beautiful, love the colors.sew the next one a scant 1/4". That should make it right. All 1/4" feet are not precisely 1/4".

Well, the thread you use can effect the size and also...you want a scant quarter, not an exact quarter when piecing. One thing though, if you use the same setting for all of the blocks then everything will balance out in the end because they should all end up the same size.

I sew with 50 weight thread and usually use Mettler.

Very pretty block. Colors are beautiful together. Good luck with the rest of it.

I really love the colors in your fabrics. Were they purchased recently & what line?

This is my suggestion as well. If you work from 4" squares you probably will have to square and resize your HST blocks but you should have them working out better.

what is HST?

Aviary fabric (moda)

HST is the half square triangle.

Oh well thank you! I am not up to speed on abbreviations!

Ohhh that is just delicious. Sorry it's not quite the size you wanted - I hate when that happens! It is so lovely though.

How far off is it? I'm wondering if they meant "scant" 1/4", my only thought. Very pretty though.

Did you pre-wash the fabric? I'm wondering if the heat from the iron is shrinking it a bit.

No I didn't prewash the fabric.

I prewash every fabric I sew with and I still have this problem also. I am going to do a test block tomorrow making it 1/8th bigger all around to allow for the fabric taken up by the pressed seam. Maybe this will work. Probably not, but I am going to try anyway.

How much short of 12 1/2 is it exactly?

Beautiful block!

Sew 3 strips of fabric 1.5 inch wide, press and measure the centre strip.
It should be 1". If not, adjust your needle position slightly to the left or
to the right until you get the 1". Every fabric is different and needs to
be tested. Same if you use a different thread.

hmmm,.maybe pressing your seams to the outer edges of the blk would help a bit.

Oh, how pretty! The colors are great.

I like the block....beautiful fabric choice! There are 101 reasons why blocks are a little off! Choose one! :D

Pretty block! Love the colors! A scant 1/4" seam will probably help. Best to you!

Lovely block and fabric. I'm with Ditter..the reasons are legion. I try and do a practice block first using remnants...saves dramas with using the fabric set aside for your project.

Sometimes you really have to do a scant 1/4" ... slightly (1 thread) less than 1/4", which over the width of the block will make a big difference.

Half square triangle. These are the blocks in the center of each side. I usually do flying geese instead of HST, but it depends on the pattern.

How short is your block? If it is just 1/8 to 1/4 inch short that is because your seams need to be scant. The thread and pressing take up some of the width.

Also, if this is for you and not a swap I wouldn't worry about it. Just make your border a little wider or add another row of blocks to make up the difference.

If you are using an electronic machine move your needle over 1 notch to the right to get your 'scant' 1/4 inch seam.

To test your 1/4 inch seam, use an index card. The lines are 1/4 inch apart. Put the edge of your foot on one line and your stitch should be on the one next to it, adjust where the line needs to be so that your stitch line is just inside the next line. That would be a scant 1/4 inch.

Good luck!

I love your block! When I make HST I usually make them a little bigger & cut them down to size. It takes longer but then they are always accurate. Works for me but not everyone wants the extra step.

Thank you. I will go back and try again!

That is so pretty. Are you using it in a quilt.

I think so. I will probably do a sampler with it. I have been trying diffrent blocks from a really cool online BOM. http://www.delawarequilts.com/BOMs/index.html
I just wish mine were as accurate as the directions on the site!

It's a lovely block and nice choice of fabrics.

Karen in Punta Gorda

When I make HST using the method shown in these directions, they usually come out small.
Try cutting your squares 4" instead of 3 7/8, then draw your lines and sew. You can always square them up a bit, but this may help you achieve a 12 1/2" block :D:D:D

oh! Thank you! I will try again!

make another block, but this time, use a mechanical pencil to draw your stitching lines on the back.
When your done with your block and it's 12 1/2", measure your seam allowances to see what your foot really produces and write it on a piece of masking tape and leave on your machine to remind you.
That is a beautiful block, by the way. I love pink and green :thumbup:

Went back and read the other suggestions. they sound easier than mine, especially the one about the three 1.5" strips.