JanTx

I am currently working on 6 different projects and 4 of them are going well. However, I just carefully cut 2 1/2" strips to use as sashing around charm pack blocks (5X5"). What I had written down on the picture I'm copying is 7 1/2" blocks. So no problem, right?

Now ... I'll wait to see who else needs a sign! I want company.

katigirl

Would that be the sign that jeff foxworthy talks about? lol.

SoSewSue

LOL. Had to do an internet search before i got it though.... http://www.snopes.com/humor/jokes/heresign.asp

auntpiggylpn

Ok, I think this is a math problem and that is not one of my strong points! If you are using a charm square and 2 1/2" strips, the block will measure 6.5" after being sewed together instead of 7 1/2" like the block you are copying? If this isn't right, I'm really glad no one can see me. I don't usually do math in public!!!

JanTx

Nope - if you add 2 1/2" strips all the way around a 5" square block you end up with a 9" block when you wanted a 7 1/2 " one. Not only does it look rather strange, but I probably don't have enough fabric now. I've already cut all of it into 2 1/2" strips! I should have made the strips 1 3/4 inch - I think.

Maybe you don't call it sashing when you put it all the way around a block? Square Dance s what I've heard them called somewhere.

auntpiggylpn

don't you lose a 1/4" from each side of the charm square and 1/4" from each side of the strip when you sew them together? that would make the charm square 4 1/2" and the strips 2"

auntpiggylpn

Okay, now this really has me befuddled! I should never show my math skills! I still come up with a 6 1/2" block!

Tartan

I don't do Math! I need all the signs I can get and sticky notes to myself too! I also sometimes put painter's tape on my cutting ruler so I don't goof up.......as much.

JanTx

yes you lose, but there are strips on the top and the bottom.
Problem solved - I took them to my ever-friendly LQS and they thought they were just fine. I won't have enough fabric for all the charms, but I do have a bigger block so won't need as many.
5" charm + 2.5 strip above + 2.5 strip below = 10" before sewing. Lose 1/2" sewing strip to top AND strip to bottom so total 9" block.

I'm putting a pic so you'll have some idea, but it's not a good pic! They are not sewed together in rows - just laid out - so look rather wonky to me.

LOVE it that I'm not the only one. The beloved quilt shop lady had trouble too until I drew a pic and put all the measurements down. I just knew I had a much bigger block than the picture I printed from the internet looked like.

valleyquiltermo

Well it is going to be a beautiful quilt whatever size your blocks turn out, LOL hows that for not getting into the math part?