finished squares are not the same size

[Carmen S.]

I am making a sampler quilt, and for the begining squares I used the 1/4" bernina foot without the guide, then used the one with the guide. They came out 6 1/4" and 6 1/2". The problem is cutting them down takes away the seam allowance from the points. So can the smaller ones be used in the quilt, or do I have to remake them?

[Nancy R.]

One thing you can do is increase the size of all of the blocks by putting strips of fabric around each of your blocks. You could use 1 1/4" strips around the bigger blocks and 1 1/2" strips around the smaller ones. This would make them all the same size. It becomes a design decision.

[Susan B.]

If the block is too small, make the seam allowance smaller. If the block is too large, make the seam allowance larger. The blocks can probably be re-stitched.

When this happens to me, I just stitch inside or outside the existing seam before I remove the first stitching. Sometimes, you don't even have to remove the first stitching, if it is in the seam allowance.

I don't have success with precision piecing by using just a foot on my Bernina. To insure consistency, get a Collins or Dritz Quilter's Guage ruler (Joann's has them). This ruler has holes in it through which to drop the needle. Using the needle positioning, find where the quarter inch should be stitched. I like using the Seam Guide from Bernina (accessory) to provide a wall for guiding the fabric. Some people use post-it notes or sticky tape, but both those options wear out and shift.

This process insures a consistent quarter inch using a variety of feet. If you have a 9 mm feed dog, some of the 1/4" feet don't really hold the fabric securely. Retest yourself every time the machine set-up is changed. Make sure you are feeding your fabric exactly parallel to the foot or guide and not wandering off at the end.

I see that Sally Collins is coming up as a guest. She is the queen of precision.

(well, now, just checked the show list & didn't see her listed. Was I dreaming? Maybe next season)????

[Susan B.]

Thank you so much for the advice! This quilt does have sashing, so I could make the adjust the size there. The funny part is...the pattern says the blocks are only 6" when finished lol!

[Susan B.]

Dorothy, that means they should be 6 1/2 before they are sewn together.

[E.M. T.]

Sue's right there....6 1/2 equals 6 in. finished.....I'd try blocking the 6 1/4 blocks to correct size
with steam and hot iron. pin them to correct size and have a go.....should be easy to concur 1/4 inch.

[Marianne G.]

If you go to Classroom and find Laura Nownes class here:
learn/classrooms/
you can learn a lot about accurate piecing before you embark on your next quilt. I started my journey on accurate piecing by following this class along and learnt heaps. Look through the forum posts for this class too if you decide to follow this class
Marianne

[Joan D.]

Nancy's idea of using sashing to even up your blocks is great. Have you ever seen Sharyn Craigs cutting corners ruler she has a video on youtube she is all about setting the blocks after they are sewn, I have participated in round robin groups and you don't always get 12.5 inch blocks back and I am not unsewing the sashing is a much more productive technique. Joan

[Nancy R.]

These sashing strips are also called "coping strips" for just this reason -- you are coping with uneven block sizes. I just couldn't remember this name in my original post....