Squaring a quilt
 

This may be a simple question but how do you "square a block/quilt"? I've read that you need to square your quilt but I've never been able find out how to do it. If you cut a block to make it square then it become a smaller size and will not fit correctly. Thanks for your help.

what you square up and trim off is the extra stuff that stretches or that you take down to the smallest size in the stack so that they all match... what counts is that they match, not that they are a particular size...

you do it by putting a square up ruler (square with a diagonal line) on top of a block, line up from corner to corner or on top of a diagonal seam. when lined up, you trim off anything outside the edge of the ruler...then it will be flat and square and will sew to the next block perfectly.

I just did a google search "how to square up a quilt"...

here's a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPlo79fz6P0

http://www.quiltuniversity.com/squaring_up.htm (scroll down for the quilt part)

another video http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-sq...inding-232714/

http://quiltersreview.com/index.php/...fectly-square/

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/techni...p-quilt_1.html

That should give you a start.

Here's some great info, complete with pictures and a video, on squaring up blocks and quilts from Quilt University's library.
http://www.quiltuniversity.com/squaring_up.htm



eta: oops, too late

Linda, I am not sure that I can explain in writing... but example.. if you are make a 9 patch block using 3-1/2 squares if your 1/4 seam is a little off you would have in excess of 9-1/2 block when you finish you would line up your sewing lines and trim the excess making sure all side are even and squares are at a 45 degree angle.. each side row would need to measure 3-1/4 inch from sewn line and the center block sould be 3 inch square....... not so good an explanation - wish I could show you...I am sure you will receive more replys

Judy in Phx, AZ