Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • square is too small, now what? >
  • square is too small, now what?

  • square is too small, now what?

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 09-17-2016, 05:04 AM
      #1  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Mar 2016
    Posts: 3,019
    Default square is too small, now what?

    I'm a novice. I'm making my second quilt, an I spy quilt. I am starting to put the rows together and they don't fit. I measured it and one of my charms is 4 3/4 inches instead of 5". It's too much to ease in. I tried that. I decided to try to reduce the seams on the charm toward the bottom of the charm and see if I can fit it in, as I laid it out and the colors work where they are (I can't replace this color). Will it look wonky? Am I better off just to tear it all the way out and replace it with another light color?

    I may run into this again, so I need a plan of action. I got many of these charms in a swap, so there may be others. (Now I know why the there are swaps for 4" charms.) I thought I had caught all those that were off, but obviously not.

    This is one of those experience things - you learn from your mistakes. I'll not use swap charms again without measuring each and everyone of them.

    bkay
    bkay is offline  
    Old 09-17-2016, 05:14 AM
      #2  
    Super Member
     
    Judith1005's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Location: *where the sun almost always shines*
    Posts: 9,325
    Default

    I think you should just give that charm a small border. And, trim it if you have to, to size. I really doubt you'll notice it. I piece fabric together all the time. And, once you quilt it, you never really notice it. You'll know it's there. Just don't point it out. Just own whatever way you choose to fix it. And everyone else will go along with it. An I'SPY is a very forgiving quilt.
    Judith1005 is offline  
    Old 09-17-2016, 05:56 AM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: Northern California, Sonoma Co.
    Posts: 2,814
    Default

    Maybe a border on two edges, the bottom and one side, so you don't lose too much of the focus fabric, and then trim to size.
    willferg is offline  
    Old 09-17-2016, 05:57 AM
      #4  
    Power Poster
     
    nativetexan's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2009
    Location: home again, after 27 yrs!
    Posts: 19,388
    Default

    hmmmm, the row already sewn together is too short? some quilters get creative and just add a bit of the same color on the end. then where ever else it needs it .sprinkle the fixes around and they wont' be too noticeable. if everything isn't sewn into rows perhaps you can trim each block down to the smallest one. then everything would fit. just sit and think it over. i'm sure you will be able to work things out.
    nativetexan is offline  
    Old 09-17-2016, 06:14 AM
      #5  
    Power Poster
     
    sewbizgirl's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Oct 2010
    Location: Mississippi
    Posts: 27,289
    Default

    If it's just one square, I'd pick it out and replace it.

    I feel your frustration with the bad cuts you get in swaps. Everyone is at different levels of proficiency with both sewing and cutting... I stopped swapping I Spy squares because it is frustrating to send good and get back lousy. If you know who sent you the bad cuts, you should let the swap host know.
    sewbizgirl is offline  
    Old 09-17-2016, 07:48 AM
      #6  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 41,610
    Default

    ​I wouldn't be happy until I picked it out and replaced it.
    Tartan is offline  
    Old 09-17-2016, 08:25 AM
      #7  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: MN
    Posts: 25,192
    Default

    Originally Posted by sewbizgirl
    If it's just one square, I'd pick it out and replace it.

    I feel your frustration with the bad cuts you get in swaps. Everyone is at different levels of proficiency with both sewing and cutting... I stopped swapping I Spy squares because it is frustrating to send good and get back lousy. If you know who sent you the bad cuts, you should let the swap host know.
    One of the reasons I quit swapping - - - -

    What was really annoying - when I mentioned the issue to this one hostess - I was scolded for being too fussy!
    bearisgray is offline  
    Old 09-17-2016, 01:06 PM
      #8  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Mar 2016
    Posts: 3,019
    Default

    You're all right. I won't be happy with it like it is. I'll pick it out and replace it. I wish I had something else lime green, though. Green not being my favorite color, I know I don't have anything that's lime green. Maybe yellow will work there.

    Thanks,
    bkay
    bkay is offline  
    Old 09-17-2016, 01:17 PM
      #9  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2013
    Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.
    Posts: 16,105
    Default

    Why not just piece around it and cut/square to the size you need with a similar scrap piece you have that would coordinate/blend with the rest. Or be bold and trim it in black to makeit pop.
    tessagin is offline  
    Old 09-17-2016, 01:29 PM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Apr 2016
    Location: Blue Ridge Mountians
    Posts: 7,075
    Default

    we could help better with a pic.....but all suggestions are good
    Jane Quilter is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    JudyMN
    Main
    4
    10-23-2013 03:09 PM
    susaninkansas
    Main
    13
    10-15-2012 09:11 AM
    dhanke
    Pictures
    37
    06-29-2012 10:46 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter