Jannie

First, to get every block at exactly 8 1/2" is a challenge. For me, I think it is unacceptable if it is more than 1/4" off. I would really like to see no more than 1/" difference. This is a good time for everyone to check their 1/4" to make sure the block is really close to 8 1/2" as requested.

jclinganrey

So would you, or any swapper be upset if you received blocks that didn't measure 8 1/2"?

Gannyrosie

You know Jane I have been in swaps where all blocks were not perfect. To me the ideas of swaps is more than getting Prestine blocks, but the gift of friendship. As long as they did their best, I will love it. Remember we all don't have the same skill levels. I will take their imperfect block, for myself I am not perfect and will treasure it. If it honestly can't be used, it will in the bend with all the other blocks that were either off, extra, etc, and one day I will make a quilt with them all.

Gannyrosie

Forgot to say, cutting your squares a scant over your cutting line helps, also sewing a scant quarter inch helps too, For me at least, and hey, I may have of those imperfect blocks in there too

mawluv

I'm not in this swap, but I agree with Gannyrosie. There is no such thing as "the prefect block". A 1/4" difference might be hard to deal with, but would be doable. You have had a good response to this swap. As Gannyrosie said, it's not about being prefect, but about fellowship, learning from each other and inspiration.

Wholeheart Mom

I wouldn't mind at all.

jclinganrey

I appreciate the comments and feedback. Please understand, I'm not looking for or expecting 'perfection' as I am certainly not perfect by a long shot. I will swap out the blocks and everyone has been given fair warning.

From here forward, everyone will get what they get and make it work (or not). And, of course, the expectation continues to be an 8 1/2" unfinished block.

QuilterMomma

Such true words here.

Chasezzz

Agree that GannieRosie has good tips for getting as close to size as possible.

One other tip--maybe I am the last to figure this out!--is when I am sewing the "patched" 4 1/2" square to the 4 1/2" square of light or dark fabric, I line up the patched square's outside edge to the outside edge of the fabric square. This means any shortfall from my "patched" square is within the seam I am sewing (I sew a scant 1/4" from the edge of the fabric square and many times that will be less than 1/4" from the edge of the "patched" square that ended up say 4 1/8"). Hope that makes sense!

Chasezzz

Make that 4 3/8" in the above post next to last sentence, not 4 1/8"!