Pretty little block. Not so complicated so why do I have a problem to make it 5.5"? I don't have a inch ruler so I usually recalculate and work with centimetres. Crazy, I know.
My first attempt ended pretty close though. Anyway I talked with my friend and I borrowed her ruler.
I was feeling optimistic. I use 1/4 inch foot with guide.
But the end result is even worse. I can hardly make the blocks 5 1/4" and I wasn't even drinking yet! So please tell me. Am I the only one? * If you are not familiar with # blocks check this post.
Let's finish this year with some music. I'm not making any year in review kind of post but I had pretty good year. Lots of rainbow projects. The upcoming one is going to be even better! Yeah, let's sing along my friends:
Nothing can hold me back
Cause I'm not made for that
I'm always good but I've been better lately
Happy New Year!
*update: I managed to make them using scant seams, yipee!
I tend to sew with a scant 1/4" seam for blocks like this to make sure I can do a final trim down to 5.5", Vera. If I tried for a "true" 1/4" seam I'll probably end up at 5-1/4" blocks, too.
ReplyDeleteHaha I had the same problem, never thought such a simple block could be so difficult... first blocks were 5 1/4" then I made some adjustments & ended up with 5 3/4" blocks. Either would be fine if they were going into a quilt that I was making, but they have to match up to all the other 1,000 blocks that have been sent. Final adjustment, change the ruler I used to cut the strips (this one had a fine line for markings), the first strip sets I stitched just shy of my guide and then cut into the the 3 pieces (I found quite interesting that the 6" long pieces did not yield 4 1 1/2" strip sets, lost at least 1/4" there too) then the 2 full strips I cut down to 5/12" to make sure I lined everything up & those were stitched right up against my guide. I did do a lot of double checking as I went... Happy to say 19 blocks made the cut and are on the way to Josh. The others, well, they are going to end up in a charity quilt here... Excellent exercise in making smaller blocks.
ReplyDeleteI ended up with a different size too; for the first time it didn't bother me LOL
ReplyDeleteScant seams! I have struggled so much with those! Hopefully you will work it out! Happy new year to you too!
ReplyDeleteYOU ARE NOT ALONE~I've thrown a bunch out...all 5-1/4 inch! I got ONE done...will send it, so I'm not totally defeated in this. Was thinking...start with bigger strips and trim them before sewing them together?? Might give us a fighting chance. Keep trying~worthy project. Damn that Molli...
ReplyDeleteI make my blocks big and then trim them down to size - it doesn't work with everything (when block sections need to match from block to block, instead of just matching the entire SIZE of the block) but it works for lots! I specialize in wonky :D
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Vera - here's to a great and sewy 2015!!
Love the fabrics for the hashtag blocks. Happy 2015! May it be happy and healthy and full of sewing :)
ReplyDeleteMy 1/4 inch foot was not a quart inch foot. I had to adjust the position of the needle to sew a real 1/4 seam with the foot. Hope it is as easy for you too.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year.
OMG, Vera! "and I wasn't even drinking yet" . . . my computer screen would have been sprayed with coffee had I been drinking it when I read it :D Your blocks look great - I don't think there is a chance they won't get used! AND if everyone is having the same issue - there will likely be enough blocks to make an entire quilt :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family! Cannot wait to see what you get up to in 2015 :)
I used a scant seam allowance but my block came out a little big. When I trimmed them down one side ended up slightly wider than the other (the distance between the edge and the coloured strip).
ReplyDeleteRosemary B here:
ReplyDeleteI have taped the measure on my machine beds (all of them, lol) with SCANT 1/4 inch.
It appears to be the only way it works, especially when you are working with a block like this where you cannot just make everything bigger and it works. It is all of those inner seams that contribute to the end result. I would persevere.... make that 1/4 inch seam marking and sew outside of it.
I am a perfectionist and stuff like this makes me scream.
by the way, your other points are perfect and look marvelous
I think your blocks look great, Vera. I love your fabric choice. I hadn't thought about the cm - inch issue. That would certainly be challenging. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get mine to 5.5" either, so I cut each strip an extra 1/8 inch too big and then I could trim a minuscule amount off to make them 5.5".
ReplyDeleteI only started getting the accurate sizes by: using the quarter inch foot AND the scant quarter inch setting on my sewing machine.... WITH Aurifil 50 wt thread. Plus no steam to press. I swear it makes the difference!
ReplyDelete( And, I like a block to be bit bigger, and then you can trim it down a little if needed.)
Happy New Year , Vera!
Susie
I had the same problem. I almost didn't send mine and then saw an update from Josh that he would make what he received work. Made me feel better.
ReplyDeleteOh I read his note too but I for reason unknow I wanted to be precise, lol.
Delete"I wasn't even drinking yet" LOL I can't even tell you how many times I've made a mistake and had that same thought! Love that fabric you chose for the blocks.
ReplyDeleteI find measuring easy. Sorry!
ReplyDeleteI like the song lyrics 'Things can only get better'. You get to choose the Howard Jones or D:ream versions of songs with that name - whichever you prefer!
I really like these blocks! And yes, you might be a tad crazy for converting to centimeters every time
ReplyDeleteDo you also sew with half cm seam allowances? ;)
ReplyDelete