Quote Originally Posted by aliaslaceygreen View Post
I know, it stinks, doesn't it!!! I HATE squaring my blocks more than almost any other part of quilting... therefore I often 'forget' to...and it usually comes back and bites me in the A$$$...

It it mostly because no matter how careful you are, your needle may not be hitting 1/4 consistently...by a thread or two... and some fabric goes off grain more easily and and and.....
But if you cut your squares the size you want...say 3" squares...and then "square them up" using the smallest as the size to square to...then your squares are no longer 3" squares, which alters every other measurement of the quilt...doesn't it?

I just did squares for my Strawberry Shortcake quilt....I nneeded them 3,3/4 finished sq. to meet with the panel I am using. I cut them 4,1/4 PLUS A SMALL SMIGEON, just past the quarter mark.I just finished sewing them up and measured each square and they are 3,3/4 and all will match up fine. So...to get a 3,3/4 inch square you have to cut 4,3/8 (about), more than just the 1/4 seam allowance. So why do they say allow for 1/4 seam allowance when that doesn't work all time? Probably no answer for that...but it is extremely annoying!