Why don't my 2,1/2 inch squares measure 2" when finished?

I am designing a quilt that has a checkerboard boarder (and sashings) I am using red, white and a polka dot pink. The theme is Strawberry Shortcake (the doll). I want the squares to be 2". So, I cut strips (like jelly roll style) 2,1/2" wide by the length of the fabric (usually 44"). I double and triple check measurements to make sure the 2,1/2" wide and everything is even and cut with rotary and self healing matte and template.

Then I sew the strips together in the color order I want. In this case it is red, white, pink. and have about 12 inches length of the colors. Then I take the template and even off the end, and cut 2,1/2 inch strips across, so now I have a strip of squares sewn together (instead of sewing each square together individually, this is the short cut to do that, I learned it on Quit in a Day)

I pressed seams to the dark color and turned it over and they squares looked narrow. I know that they will still be 2,1/2" on the top and bottom sides as those sides have not been attached yet. However, the sides that have been attached... I took my seam gauge and measured the square (that should be 2" side to side) and it is 1,3/4 inches! I turned over and set my seam gauge to 1/4inch and measured the seams and they were all exactly 1/4 inch on each side. I measured the square seam to seam on the wrong side and they are 1,3/4 inch! All of them are like this! I measure on the right side seam to seam and they are 1,3/4 inch.

What have I done wrong that they are not 2" seam to seam? I measured every square and they are all like this....1/4 in allowance, but the square is 1,3/4in and not 2".

Have I missed something that when you cut you cut 3/4 inch bigger to allow 1/4" for each seam and 1/4" "extra" for.....what? I dont' get this! Simple math...but it isn't adding up.

Please help me on this! My GD quilt is in your hands!!!!!

I'm just a beginner, but when I had this problem my instructor said my seams weren't pressed as open as they could be, and even a slight variation builds upon each row. I am anxious to see what more experienced quilters will say.

Check your cut strips to make sure they are 2 & 1/2 inches. A lot of the rulers have that extra half inch on each side. Since your measure 1 & 3/4 both ways I bet it has something to do with you cutting it wrong. If it was your seams or ironing, I doubt it would measure 1 & 3/4 both ways, exactly.

You do need to make your seams a scant 1/4 inch since each time the cloth "turns" you can lose a tiny bit.

Are you pressing with a steam iron? I have had that problem and it was because the fabric shrunk when I pressed it.

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Originally Posted by dpa6460

I'm just a beginner, but when I had this problem my instructor said my seams weren't pressed as open as they could be, and even a slight variation builds upon each row. I am anxious to see what more experienced quilters will say.

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I thot about that, but then theres the problem that if you pull the fabric/squares to much, you can pull them out of shape. I pressed the seams to set them and then turned over and gently pulled them taunt as I dared and not stretch them.

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Originally Posted by dbethlee

Are you pressing with a steam iron? I have had that problem and it was because the fabric shrunk when I pressed it.

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Yes it is a steam iron. I hadn't thought about that, but at the same time...my fabric iis pre-washed for shrinking issues in the first place...do you think the steam could do more? I will be making another row of them so I will keep that in mind.

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Originally Posted by K. McEuen

Check your cut strips to make sure they are 2 & 1/2 inches. A lot of the rulers have that extra half inch on each side. Since your measure 1 & 3/4 both ways I bet it has something to do with you cutting it wrong. If it was your seams or ironing, I doubt it would measure 1 & 3/4 both ways, exactly.

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I double/triple check. I do watch for that. Sometimes it annoys me, but I am getting used to it and almost always turn it the other side unless I am needing the full size it measures. I use the long template and put the edge at the 2,1/2 line and cut on the outer edge of the template. I am using a 3,1/2 inch template by 18 inches long. I am really careful to make sure I am on the right line. And in measuring the seams...I have a hem gauge and I have the little red slider at 1/4 and it shows exact. I used the hem gauge to, to measure the square and got 1,3/4 with that too.

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Originally Posted by Claire Hallman

You do need to make your seams a scant 1/4 inch since each time the cloth "turns" you can lose a tiny bit.

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Well, that sounds probable. Each side is off 1/8"..not alot in words, but alot in measurement I guess. I"ll see about doing that next time. Do you think I'd get the same result if I cut the squares 2,3/4 instead of 2,1/2"? Guess I should check that out too!

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Originally Posted by K. McEuen

Check your cut strips to make sure they are 2 & 1/2 inches. A lot of the rulers have that extra half inch on each side. Since your measure 1 & 3/4 both ways I bet it has something to do with you cutting it wrong. If it was your seams or ironing, I doubt it would measure 1 & 3/4 both ways, exactly.

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Plus.... I watch the shows of Quilt in a Day and Fonz & Porter and even videos here...and they always cut 2,1/2" squares and do the sewing and they always turn out perfect. They say they sew 1/4" seams. I guess it's Kind of like taking your car to the mechanic...soon as it gets there it stops making the noise!

I've been meaning to tell you all to invest in the "Shape Cut Plus" by June Tailor. I got mine with a 50% off coupon at Joann Fabrics. If you don't have one it's worth every penny!!! It is excellent for cutting strips with super accuracy very quickly. I am so impressed with the improvement it has made for cutting out my strips.

Coffeebreak, try sewing with the scant 1/4" seam and see if that solves the problem. Do you have a machine that will allow you to change your stitch width? Also, are you using a 1/4" quilting foot? The steam shouldn't be the problem. I use steam all the time and most of my fabrics are not pre-washed. Make sure after ironing the back of the block you also iron it on the front.

Have you measured your seams? I used to have that problem as well until I really and truly found where my 1/4" is on my machine regardless of the markings. Now my blocks are the size they should be. I don't have much squaring up anymore.

Another thought is when cutting...where on the ruler do you line up your fabric? Is it to the left of the marked line or the right or in the center? That too, makes a big difference when cutting. I found on my rulers I use the left of the line and get a good true measured 2 1/2" if that's what I am cutting. Otherwise, just being off the thickness of the cutting line will add up. As long as you are consistant where you cut, your blocks should all be the same size in relation to your strip size.

I always sew a "scant" 1/4" seam to help the blocks come out to the right size. This really helps. So if your measurements are correct and your seams are correct, the issue must be "losing" part of the block as the fabric lays over the seam.

Don't get too frustrated--we all struggle with these issues. As time goes on you'll learn your own techniques to make a "perfect" block. And, here's a hint--Fons and Porter never show us their measurements! Their blocks can be slightly small as well!

I have gotten a new machine and was having the same problem. I use a foot with a guide, so I moved the needle position to the right a few times and then could get a nice and easy scant 1/4 inch.

Does your needle move back and forth when you change stitch type? I have three different straight stitches on my machine. Depending on which one I use depends on which side the needle moves. It goes from side to side and can vary your stitches up to a quarter of an inch. When you mark your 1/4" on your machine make sure you are using the same needle setting every time or it will throw your seam out.
I found this out the hard way and lost some points on a star quilt I made.

I always use a 1/4" foot when piecing and always have to move my needle position to the right a bit with my Janome and Bernina to get a scant 1/4" seam. I was told in a class once that when tutorials, instructors, and/or printed instructions say 1/4" seam, in quilting that is always a "scant" 1/4" seam -- people/instructions just don't always include the word "scant".