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Stitching & Crafting Room:  1st Quilt...please help!!  |
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farmkitty
True Blue Farmgirl
69 Posts
Angela
Anderson
South Carolina
USA
69 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 2:55:56 PM
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Ya'll I am so frustrated right now! I am working on my very first quilt. I was supposed to be taking classes but it has been postponed until next month ...this may be a dumb question but...
The quilt is a strip quilt that is first peiced together in blocks. The strips are 1 3/4" and 5 are pieced together. I measured twice , cut once and carefully stiched a 1/4" seam piceing them together. Thses strip sets are then cut into 6 3/4" squares. My problem...some are 6 1/4, some 6 1/2" and so on . Very few have turned out the "correct" size!!!! I "thought" that I could finsh all the blocks and then cut each to the smallest size block I had. BUT every written resource I have read says it must be the right size. I can understand if I were making points on a star but I thought I could "fudge" ..a little . Please help...I am fixing to give up!!! TIA, Angela |
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quilt8305
True Blue Farmgirl
409 Posts
Mary
Spokane
WA
USA
409 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 3:28:44 PM
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If you start with 1 3/4" strips and subtract the 1/4" seam allowance from each side, you have 1 1/4" strips times 5 strips it will yield a 6 1/4" unfinished square. There is no way you can get 6 3/4" squares. When you sew them together they will be 5 3/4". Your instructions might be incorrect.
Mary
Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding. Albert Einstein |
Edited by - quilt8305 on Jan 15 2007 4:35:01 PM |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4188 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4188 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 4:16:45 PM
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| I have made 10 trip around the world quilts, using the strip method. I found it to be fairly simple to do. I did use a rotary cutter, and a 3 inch wide quilt ruler ( not sure what to call it). So I cut the 3inch strips, lay out and sew together to make the sheets, then cut the sheets to 3 inch strips, and then sew together for my pattern. Since I am usually in a hurry, (my own fault), I never have everything perfect, and so fudge alittle, pulling and tucking if necessary. I am not a perfectionist, so I don't worry to much. I figure no one will really notice. I am not sure if you are doing the same thing, but don't give it. Try to make it work as best you can. Michele |
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berries
True Blue Farmgirl
475 Posts
gloria g
Florida
USA
475 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 5:13:40 PM
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Angela, everyone is giving you good advice. There are lot's of variables in quilting. Are you using a rotary cutter and a good ruler. Rulers are also different, and sometimes actually not a scant 1/4 inch. Also pressing. This is important as well. But when I make strips, I actually sew the full lengths of fabric cut at the 1 3/4 width, then trim the first edge, and subcut the size you need, 5", 5 1/2 etc. When pressing, press the seam as it is sewn - called setting the seam, then press to the dark, or the direction all the strips will be. Not ironing, that could stretch the fabrics, just press! Also a few threads on each strip, could cause you to be off too. Take a piece of making tape, measure where your needle is in a down position, and actually put the tape on the throat of your machine at the distance of 1/4" positon. This will help you guide your fabrics. Less of a quarter inch would be better in most cases rather than larger. Whatever 1/4 inch you do, scant or larger - be consistent in the position. I hope this helps! Email me privately if I can help you further. Please don't give up! It will be beautiful - your first quilt!
But like Mary said, your instructions could be wrong - I find that in so many cases, and it is very hard to deal with.
You can do it!
farmgirl hugs, gloria g. Richards, TX
strawberry fields forever and ever!
www.strawberryhousequilting.com |
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nitere
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Amy
Hickory
NC
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 8:24:27 PM
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i think your instructions are correct. you would get 6 3/4" squares since the two sides haven't been stitched yet. since you are stitching five strips together, if any of the seams are off a little it can add up. gloria has given some really great advice. and i agree, don't give up. it is so rewarding, completing your first quilt. oddly enough, my first quilt has never been completed. i have made quilts since, but just can't seem to get around to finishing the first one! good luck!
http://www.buraellen.blogspot.com |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 8:42:09 PM
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your pattern sound correct it sounds like you are using a tiny bit larger than 1/4 inch seam. Nitere is right two of your seams have not been sewn yet so you still have that half inch. Are you making a rail fence that is what it sounds sort of like.
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe my blog http://sunshinescreations.blogspot.com
my web stores www.sunshines.etsy.com and http://vintagethreads.etsy.com
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farmkitty
True Blue Farmgirl
69 Posts
Angela
Anderson
South Carolina
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - Jan 16 2007 : 3:44:15 PM
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| Thank you all for responding. Last night I was so discouraged I just had to walk away ... the THOUGHT that I had ruined my beautiful bundle of fat quarters made me sick to say the least. Today , in the light of day (after work) things don't look "quite" as bleak. I am making the "Layer Cake" from the book "My Red Sofa." I have all the blocks completed as of a few minutes ago . I think one problem was I was using steam and cotton setting on my iron and I truly believed I stretched them ... Thanks again for all who came to my rescue!!! Please feel free to continue to post your tips for me as I work towards boarders, batting etc Angela |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Jan 16 2007 : 7:36:57 PM
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Were all your fabrics 100% cotton? If they had a polyester content, they may have stretched when ironing! Keep up the good work and don't give up.Quilting is a very rewarding and creative outlet, don't let fear intimidate you from trying something new. It's just thread and fabric ! Have fun and don't forget, we all started somewhere!
with a happy heart |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: 1st Quilt...please help!! |
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1st Quilt...please help!!
