ktbb

in addition to the scant quarter inch and the cuttin outside the line issue, most fabrics shrink up a little when steam pressed, which many of us do. Put all three things together, and especially if you have lower quality fabrics, the disappearing quarter inch happens.

quilter1943

Be careful when you cut that you are cutting on the line on your mat. If the edge of your ruler is on the line, you are not getting a full cut. That could easily amount to 1/4" in a block.

jaciqltznok

first was your fabric washed prior to sewing?
are you steaming the blocks?
The fabric will shrink with enough steam and heat!

However if your blocks are all the same size, then why let it bother you...just widen your border if you need to be exactly XYZ size.....

roseOfsharon

I am thinking if all are 12 1/4 not to worry, also maybe the pattern pieces could be measured first to see if the block will actually be 12 1/2" ... another thing if they have it marked off (stitching line) I would measure that to see if it is 1/4" ( that is if you are using a pattern that has it's own templates).

Holice

always measure after the first two pieces are sewed together and see how you might need to adjust. We tend to assume everything is ok but might not be. Also chedk to make sure you have cut correctly. I find it better to cut a smiddgen larger than smaller. Watch which line of the ruler you are lining up with the edge of the fabric. some rulers have fatter lines and that can make a difference.
But the best thing I have learned is to measure regularily to make sure you are accurate.

connie_1936

finally figured out that each seam in a block takes up a small fraction of an inch. no matter how perfectly you cut you loose that tiny amount to the seam.

Lostn51

This makes all the sense in the world, if you have a lot of seams then the chances of your block being small are almost certain.

Billy

amma

I thought I was acccuraately cutting, until someone pointed out this, Is your blade straight up and down when you cut. I found myself tipping the blade in slightly, so my cuts were slightly short :lol:

So the way I cut, sew, piece and press, a scant 1/4" is necessary for me to get a correct sized block :D:D:D

shawnan

Rulers can actually be off a little bit. Have you recently switched to a different ruler?