Turning twenty - sew easy
07-23-2022, 06:15 AM
#11
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,915
Because there are no points to worry about then all you have to do is square up the blocks all the same size. I've been quilting for decades and still get this to happen every now and then. I find it best to cut and make one block first then adjust as needed Don't cut all of the pieces at one time.
07-23-2022, 07:15 AM
#12
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 68
Originally Posted by Goldenleaf
So….. I’ve started making a lap quilt from this pattern but as I’m a relatively new sewer the edges to the blocks aren’t straight but dip in and out where the fabrics join. I’ve realised it’s to do with fabric ‘creep’ and me letting my sewing machine do it’s own thing rather than tensioning the fabric but what do I do now? Do I trim all the blocks and hope I get them square or fudge the sewing lines thinking nobody will notice in the long run?
Did you starch the fabric really good and are they cut on the bias? Then raise the top tension a little bit if you can and try again. I think starching and pressing may do the trick.
07-23-2022, 07:37 AM
#13
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Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 1,981
I think before I’d make any machine adjustments, I’d re-measure the red. Often it’s our fault , not the machine. If you measured correctly, and you sewed with red on bottom the feed dogs may be ‘eating’ the bottom fabric too much so if you can adjust pressure, I may start there. However, it didn’t do that when you pieced your other pieces so I’m back to thinking the red was mistakenly cut too short.
07-23-2022, 08:13 AM
#14
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ballwin, MO
Posts: 4,210
It is common to have the variations you are showing (at least, it is common with my sewing). They aren't a problem in themselves. The real question is, what size are your blocks supposed to be, and what size are they actually? If your blocks are slightly oversized, you can trim them, and that will get rid of the unmatched edges. If your blocks are just the right size, then the inexact joinings won't prevent you from sewing the blocks together. If your blocks are too small, you can trim them all to the size of the smallest one (this wouldn't work with all patterns, but it should work with this one).
07-23-2022, 08:42 AM
#15
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Devon
Posts: 38
Thank you everyone for your advice and comments. The problem was indeed the presser foot pressure. It’s a new machine and was set to the highest setting. I’ve reduced it to 3 and they’re coming out much better
07-23-2022, 09:19 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: USA
Posts: 377
Originally Posted by Goldenleaf
So….. I’ve started making a lap quilt from this pattern but as I’m a relatively new sewer the edges to the blocks aren’t straight but dip in and out where the fabrics join. I’ve realised it’s to do with fabric ‘creep’ and me letting my sewing machine do it’s own thing rather than tensioning the fabric but what do I do now? Do I trim all the blocks and hope I get them square or fudge the sewing lines thinking nobody will notice in the long run?
07-23-2022, 01:23 PM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,386
Originally Posted by Goldenleaf
Thank you everyone for your advice and comments. The problem was indeed the presser foot pressure. It’s a new machine and was set to the highest setting. I’ve reduced it to 3 and they’re coming out much better
