The Perfect Block

[madampolo]

I hope you guys didn't think I was going to post instructions for a perfect block, or post a picture of one. That will never come from me. I have done four blocks toward my king size quilt. Since each block is different, I thought I'd take my time and make each block perfect. None of the four are. I am having the hardest time. I am cutting and squaring my patches perfectly (except for two), and sewing the perfect 1/4 inch. Those two imperfect patches (one in each of two blocks) have caused me great headaches. Now those two blocks are going to be ripped. The other two are off, but not by much so I will live with them. Be honest now. Has anyone REALLY made a perfect block, other than cutting one out of nothing but fabric?

[kelliedi]

nope never gonna happen either, at least for me.

[Bubby]

I strive for excellence....not perfection. The important thing is for you to make your seams consistent. If you can sew the same width seam on all your blocks, they will all the the same size if you cut your fabric the same. It takes lots of practice...

[K. McEuen]

I've found that if I always do the scant quarter inch seam my blocks will usually come out just a hair bigger than they are supposed to, allowing me to trim the tiny uneven edges away. This of course only works on the days the wind is blowing just right, my hair looks good and I hold my tongue just so ...

[bkthomas]

I have never done anything that was less than perfect!
I AM NOT A LIAR!

[buckeyequilter]

Should perfect and quilt blocks even be used in the same sentence? I can barely sew a straight line. I might get one block that is perfect and that one perfect block makes all the other blocks look really bad.

[EnumclawGramma]

Should perfect and quilt blocks even be used in the same sentence? I can barely sew a straight line. I might get one block that is perfect and that one perfect block makes all the other blocks look really bad.

Story of my life! LOL!

[madampolo]

I just spent a couple of hours ripping apart some of two blocks, making replacement patches, and patching them back together. They turned out better. At least it isn't so blatantly obvious. While looking at one of the blocks I was ripping, I spotted a background patch turned inside out, so that one had to be turned. I hadn't notice that before when I was critiquing my blocks. So, I have four very imperfect blocks I am declaring OK for the quilt. My problem was squaring up half square blocks. I just love the June Taylor half square ruler, and wouldn't give it up for anything. You just have to learn to use it. I am now an expert on placing it in the right place to square up the half square. When I get more done, I'll take a picture. I am sashing it in 2 1/2 inch strips of black.

[madampolo]

Karen, the total block is squaring up pretty good at 12 1/2 inches. What I had a problem with was squaring half sqares up correctly. The diagnal line of the block didn't go to the corners, but were wonky. I think your idea of a scant 1/4 inch is a good one.

[HandsOffItsMine]

Never had a "perfect" anything in life. lol Even with OCD. Hah!

I like Barb's idea for striving for Excellence!

With half square triangles, I don't do 7/8's and all that - I cut 4 inches, sew, press, then trim to size. Even the professional quilters don't have "perfect" blocks or quilts. Stop the video and do a close up of the shot, you'll see that the block, unit isn't perfect.

I find it best that I cut a few more of each fabric color/pattern than I need, make them all up as I'm piecing. That way if I'm off my rhythm, I have a couple extra to choose from.