nanna-up-north

I just watched a video from Jenny Doan, MSQC, using a charm pack. And I want to know, how do you know where to sew 1/4" from the edge? Do you measure from the inside of the zig-zag or the outside of the zig-zag? I bought one of those packs once but because the edges were zig-zagged, I cut them all to have a straight edge to measure my 1/4" from. That took tons of time and I knew there must be a better answer to that. But I wanted my points to match up perfectly.... old habits are hard to break, I guess. I'm sure the edge is cut that way to eliminate fraying but I've avoided those ever since. Some are darling so I guess I have to show my ignorance and ask.

Stitchnripper

I used our search function and there are some previous threads to get you started til you get more advice here.

lfletcher

I measure from the outside of the zigzag.

ManiacQuilter2

It would take a lot of time and effort, but I would gentlypress some narrow strips of lightweight fusible onto the backside of the four sides and then trim so I would have a perfect straight edge. I have never received anything with a pinked edge before except for salesmen samples.

quiltsRfun

Measure from the outside or the inside. Just be consistent. I measure from the outside.

Geri B

Heard/read somewhere - measure from the outside zig........

joyce888

I would use the pinked edge. You also need to measure them for true size. Many charms packs are 5", 5 1/2", 6". Same is true for layer cakes. If you find you need to cut them to the correct size, I would only cut two sides to cut down on trimming and use the other two pinked edges.

linda8450

If you are using a 1/4" foot that has a blade guide, you would have to use the outside of the zigzag, because otherwise it would get caught. It shouldn't matter which you use, as long as you use the same on every single piece.

Nanny's dollface

I use the outside peak when sewing 1/4 inch and I have not had any problems. I think our brain thinks it's different than sewing from a straight edge and so it may take a bit longer to get comfortable sewing pinked edges.
Hoffman Bali pre cuts come with pinked edges ...had to learn.

Pennyhal

So, when you buy a charm pack and it says they are 6x6, does that mean measured from the tips of the pinked edges? Or that they'd trim down to 6x6?