Trimming a 5" pieced square to 4" accurately

[Kazzie]

Hi! Searched for an answer to no avail. Help! This newbie to quilting is attempting a simple table runner, amazing the things one can learn quickly out of the gate!! To spite a couple of set backs my spirit and motivation remain intact!
My question...sewed a bisected 5" charm pack square ending up with squares consisting of 4 pieces...easy enough, pressed them and went on to the next step. The instruction reads, cut each square to 4 inches, that didn't seem like a problem until I layed the now 4 pieced charm square on the cutting mat. While not terribly off each square is not perfect which means in order to cut the square to 4" correctly each side of the pieced square may require a different amount trimmed off it. Question...please tell me there is a recommended way one might accomplish this!!
Appreciate in advance any mentoring you provide!

[Denis]

I would find the 2" marks on my ruler then lay those "cross hairs" on the crossing seams of my block. Trim 2 sides then turn your block 180 degrees, lay your ruler on top again and trim off those 2 remaining sides.

[SewCrazy4Quilts]

I vote for Denis. That is what I would do as well.

[Denis]

Oops I misread, I thought I was reading you sewed them into a 4-patch. Still my technique is still fairly good.

Stack your charms up to about 4 layers. Lay your largest one on the bottom then the next size up until the smallest one is on top. Align 2 edges of your squares so they are even, or as even as you can. Lay your ruler along the top edge and the right edge (if right handed), or left (if left handed) as close as you can. Trim those 2 edges. Turn your charms around without disturbing them so your trimmed edges dont shift. Lay your ruler down so your two 4" lines are ligned with the trimmed corner of your charms. Next, trim the 2 outer edges. You should then have perfect 4" squares.

If you've already trimmed them to 4" but they are not perfect, you can try to retrim to 3 7/8" or 3 3/4" using the same technique, keeping in mind that if you are sewing these to strips or other blocks, your measurements will be off and everything will have to be retrimmed.

If you're not badly off of 4", I would keep them and just compensate here and there. If over 4", trim those to 4", if under, leave those and compensate. Fabric does have some stretch so you shouldnt have a big problem.

[jingleme]

Hi & welcome to this forum!

I like Deni's approach too. But....I'm a chicken.....I would do each one individually. I usually fold in half twice & finger press cross hairs onto each block first to find the center & then use the fold lines to line up my ruler at 2". Then cut 2 sides, spin, & cut the other 2 sides. I do this so often, that I bought one of those rotating mats that Jenny uses. I love that!
good luck with your project. would love to see pics.......

[Kazzie]

Many thhanks for your responses...actually I had a stroke a year or so ago, I'm fairly young and very healthy just one of those things, anyway, numbers, measurements, quantities and the like are still a bit jumbled in my head. What better way to improve but to quilt!

I was able to figure out using a quilting ruler and my swivel cutting mat how to square-up and cut the squares to a perfect 4"! Whew! Actually my sewing was pretty close to right on, not much to trim. These small victories are huge for me, thank you once again for your assistance, means so much!

[Wwena]

Welcome Kazzie and I'm glad to hear it worked out so well! You go girl!

[Denis]

Excellent! So glad to hear you got it sorted out. You should be very proud. If you have any other questions, ask away!

[bkthomas]

Best of Luck to you in your endeavors!!!