Newbie Question

[tinawallace]

Hi,

Im about to embark on my first quilt & i have a newbie question for you. I see how to put a 9 block together, i watched the tutorial on this website and others, however once i have several 9 blocks built how do i then connect them all together ? If i have a border (or sash) in between them then i will loose 1/4 inch each side for my seams, which will result in the outside squares of the 9 block being smaller than the centre square, if you see what i mean. IE if i have a grid of 9 equal blocks then use up a seem on each of the outside 8 blocks of that grid, in order to connect them to something else, then my centre block of the 9, the one that remains untouched by seam allowance, will be bigger than the outside ones.. or in other words, once a 9 block is built it doesn't have any seam allowance to connect to anything else...

Clearly there must be a simple solution and im just not seeing it! - if anyone could point it out for me id be really appreciative! many thanks,

tina.

[stitchywoman]

Re: Newbie Question

I can tell your really working hard to make your first quilt great! The problem you're seeing though is really not a problem at all! See if you start with 9 equal sized blocks and sewing them all together you end up taking a 1/4 " from each side after they've been sewn together ( I mean sashings and all ) If you measure the squares after sewing 1 nine patch block together you'll see that the center is smallest because you've taken a 1/4 inch from all sides but your outer edges all still have atleast 1 side ( the corners have 2) that has not had a 1/4 inch taken.

In numbers if your blocks start as 2.5" and you sew them all together with 1/4" seams. Your center block is now 2" square and your outer ones are 2.25" x 2" (they have three seams around each piece) except for the corners which are 2.25" square (they have only 2 seams)
Here's a pick of a couple of mine [attachment=0:3ajs1d4w]100_0538 copy.JPG[/attachment:3ajs1d4w]if you look close you can see that the center block is smaller than the others... If you still are unsure just trust us! Start with blocks all the same size and use 1/4" seams and be prepared to be amazed!

We all wonder about things we haven't tried yet! Good luck in this fun journey of a new quilt! Yeah! We'd love to see pictures later!

[tinawallace]

Re: Newbie Question

Oh god, that makes complete sense! - If had just made one instead of trying to 'think it through' first then i guess i might have seen this! - maybe!..lol.. - Thank you so much!.. ill make a start and be back with my next dumb question very soon im sure !!

[stitchywoman]

Re: Newbie Question

I'm glad you see it! We're glad to have you here & we'd love to see how your project goes! Have fun!

[shell.scraps]

Re: Newbie Question

Oh god, that makes complete sense! - If had just made one instead of trying to 'think it through' first then i guess i might have seen this! - maybe!..lol.. - Thank you so much!.. ill make a start and be back with my next dumb question very soon im sure !!

glad that makes sense to you...it's a little confusing without the visual...just wait until you get to half-square triangles and the 7/8ths rule....messes me up every time!!!


there are no dumb questions...and there are no quilting police....ask away whatever you want...and we aren't judgmental....opinionated...but not judgmental :mrgreen:

[stitchywoman]

Re: Newbie Question

Too right Shell!

For my own question... What's the 7/8ths rule?

[shell.scraps]

Re: Newbie Question

Too right Shell!

For my own question... What's the 7/8ths rule?

the 7/8th rule...I still find it confusing....

when you are making HSTs from full squares...you draw a line from corner to corner and then stitch on either side of that line you 1/4" seam allowance... to get a 4 1/2" HST block you need to cut your squares 4 7/8" so you have the seam allowance and it all evens out...

I don't worry about it honestly...I take my charm squares...and just sew on either side of the diagonal line and to heck with the crazy quilter's math...

[stitchywoman]

Re: Newbie Question

interesting! I always wondered how to figure the sizes for triangles. Thanks Shell!

[sewhot]

Re: Newbie Question

dang, you girls are so good.....asking and answering questions!! I just learned something new! Thanks!

[Natalie]

Re: Newbie Question

yes, thanks shell! I usually just make my triangles bigger than I need them and then trim them to the right size later! Your way would definitely save fabric! Thanks!!