Measuring

[PaulaWalsh]

Hi ladies, I'm doing a quilt with standard 5x5 squares. I'm using a ruler and rotary cutter to make the squares, they are 5 across so I'm joining each square with a quarter inch seam, so far so good. However when I join each row together I am finding that some squares don't line up properly and I can't understand why not !! They are all cut the same and the seam is a quarter inch on all of them so how is it possible that some of them are out. It's driving me nuts because obviously my lines are off when the squares don't line up. I heard Jenny say on a tutorial about measuring from the peak or the valley but she didn't explain it so I don't know what she ment, maybe this is what I am doing wrong ? Any help would be great please : ) I suppose it could be my cutting but I hope not : )

[Bubby]

Paula,

If you are using pre-cut charm squares the edges are pinked (pointed edges). Some quilters wonder how to determine how to sew an accurate 1/4 inch seam. Jenny says to measure your seam from either the tip of the point or the 'V' of the points. The important thing is to be consistent. I normally consider the tip of the points as the edge of my fabric.

Since you are sewing with squares you cut, it's possible you may have been a little off when cutting or your 1/4 inch seam isn't consistent all the time. Also, pressing incorrectly can stretch your blocks. Pressing is moving your iron up and down, not back and forth in an ironing motion. If your blocks are just a little off, you should be able to ease them together and get the seams to match....just don't stretch your fabric. If a block is noticeably smaller or larger, you may have to "unsew" and sew it again.

I know this is an exercise in frustration for you. Hang in there and it will all come together. Barb

[Sandy Navas]

Barb always beats me with the great answers, Paula (don't tell her I've copied everything she says down in my little notebook so I can refer to it later). I do believe she has given you the best answers. BTW search out Barb's picture - she loves flowers.

[PaulaWalsh]

Barb I think your onto something there, I do iron them the same way I would a shirt for instance. It never dawned on me that I am pulling the fabric which would of course make a difference. Obvious to me now !!!!! I'll give the "pressing" a go, as they are only a little off it should help. I was using a zig zag stitch then to hide the fact but I want to try STID next..Sandy I may be taking a leaf out of your book and jotting all this down myself for later !!!!!! Thanks girls much appreciated : ) xx

[rebeccas-sewing]

Paula, also if it doesn't matter which direction the squares are going you would be wise to try and line up your squares so that the grain of the fabric is going in the same direction on each row. If you're not sure about grain, just take a square so you have a hand on either side, give a gentle tug in opposite directions. One direction will have a bit of stretch, the other direction will not.

[PaulaWalsh]

Thanks Rebecca I had noticed that some had a bit more of a stretch then others. Between that and my ironing it all makes perfect sense now !!!!! Will post a picture of the finished masterpiece ( hopefully with perfectly aligned squares ) : )

[coffeebreak]

I cut squares/triangles THREE times trying to get them all matching! I cut them all and sewed together to make 3 blocks..then they weren't the right size! I wanted 3" sq and cut 3,1/2 inch squares...measured the 1/4 Seam allowance and everything. But they now measured (once sewn together0 2,1/2". So, 3 blocks were a waste - howver I did save them and will make a pillow out of them.
So I cut more thinking it was my fault and checked and checked and measured and measured..and cut enough to make ONE block and still...it was off. I did the pressing not ironing thing. I paid attention to the stretching as I know my fab was 50/50 cotton/poly. I cut for 2 more blocks..and they weren't matching. I was off 1/4 in all the way around. So....I then started cutting the squres (i was cutting from fabric, not charms or jelly rolls) just about 1/8 inch bigger. Instead of 3,1/2 inches, I cut them 3,1/2 PLUS about an 1/8th inch.. I just moved my template ever so slightly toward the 1/8th mark....TADA!!! It worked! I finished the blocks nad they all matched! So I don't know why, but that extra little 1/8 (maybe 1/16th) made the biggest difference! I started another quilt and cut the squares like this and sewed them together and they all match perfectly and measure the 4 inches I want them to. So...maybe try to just add a tiny bit and see how it works. Worked for me

[Jean Sewing Machine]

I am working on my accuracy. I find that right at the end of sewing a 1/4" seam, I tend to let the fabric slide a little bit off, usuallly to make the seam scantier. Maybe that is happening when you sew your blocks. Perhaps that is why your blocks don't line up, because that last 1/2" is where you are joining the block to another. I have become aware of this habit of mine to not be careful for the last little bit, and and I'm trying to improve in the accuracy department. The ironing thing is also something I never knew about, it was good to read about that.

[PaulaWalsh]

Cheri, I will definitely try that. Thanks : ) It's amazing how the slightest bit can knock the whole thing off !!!!

I cut squares/triangles THREE times trying to get them all matching! I cut them all and sewed together to make 3 blocks..then they weren't the right size! I wanted 3" sq and cut 3,1/2 inch squares...measured the 1/4 Seam allowance and everything. But they now measured (once sewn together0 2,1/2". So, 3 blocks were a waste - howver I did save them and will make a pillow out of them.
So I cut more thinking it was my fault and checked and checked and measured and measured..and cut enough to make ONE block and still...it was off. I did the pressing not ironing thing. I paid attention to the stretching as I know my fab was 50/50 cotton/poly. I cut for 2 more blocks..and they weren't matching. I was off 1/4 in all the way around. So....I then started cutting the squres (i was cutting from fabric, not charms or jelly rolls) just about 1/8 inch bigger. Instead of 3,1/2 inches, I cut them 3,1/2 PLUS about an 1/8th inch.. I just moved my template ever so slightly toward the 1/8th mark....TADA!!! It worked! I finished the blocks nad they all matched! So I don't know why, but that extra little 1/8 (maybe 1/16th) made the biggest difference! I started another quilt and cut the squares like this and sewed them together and they all match perfectly and measure the 4 inches I want them to. So...maybe try to just add a tiny bit and see how it works. Worked for me

[PaulaWalsh]

I have noticed also that I tend to let it run off the end as opposed to completely following the 1/4 inch seam. Re the ironing I noticed a thread on here saying a padded board is not good for pressing which I am also using so might try to make the hard board they are recommending. Every little bit helps : )

I am working on my accuracy. I find that right at the end of sewing a 1/4" seam, I tend to let the fabric slide a little bit off, usuallly to make the seam scantier. Maybe that is happening when you sew your blocks. Perhaps that is why your blocks don't line up, because that last 1/2" is where you are joining the block to another. I have become aware of this habit of mine to not be careful for the last little bit, and and I'm trying to improve in the accuracy department. The ironing thing is also something I never knew about, it was good to read about that.