Help with Feb. block

[Nfiegirl]

I have finished sewing my 4-patch on point thanks to Margo's pics. Didn't have a clue as to how to make them. Again thanks Margo!

However, here is my problem. My top and bottom strips worked out perfectly, but the two longer ones are an inch too long. Should I try and sew and take up the slack as I go? I must have stretch them when pressing them out.

This BOM is truly a challenge for this Newbie, but I'm sure with all the knowledgeable quilters, I'll get through it with success.

Yours in quilting,
Pat

[GloriaH]

The 4-patch strips are becoming more of a challenge for me too. Mine came up short. I guess that is easier to deal with as I just wet them down and creatively pressed. I'm beginning to feel like the person Ricky referred to in the last show "I don't like mine". My choice for the setting triangles is making my quilt very green and that wasn't what I had in mind when I started. Oh well. Gloria

[denise-nh]

I'm not sure what happened but I wonder if when you put those last few triangles on the end you used the full size triangles rather than the smaller ones? We do have 2 sizes of triangles to contend with.

Most of my problems are my strips end up a bit on the small side and I have to block each section as I go.

denise

[Margo]

I have finished sewing my 4-patch on point thanks to Margo's pics. Didn't have a clue as to how to make them. Again thanks Margo!

However, here is my problem. My top and bottom strips worked out perfectly, but the two longer ones are an inch too long. Should I try and sew and take up the slack as I go? I must have stretch them when pressing them out.

This BOM is truly a challenge for this Newbie, but I'm sure with all the knowledgeable quilters, I'll get through it with success.

Yours in quilting,
Pat

Sounds like you are doing great, Pat! Because those two shorter borders are right, you probably stretched the longer ones when you were pressing. Before you resew anything, try blocking them down to the right size. If you pin the two ends to your ironing surface the right distance apart, then pin the edges, you will probably be able to gently steam the fullness in without re-sewing. Let us know how it works for you.

[Margo]

I'm not sure what happened but I wonder if when you put those last few triangles on the end you used the full size triangles rather than the smaller ones? We do have 2 sizes of triangles to contend with.

Most of my problems are my strips end up a bit on the small side and I have to block each section as I go.

denise

Denise, if everything seems to be coming up a bit on the small side, you might want to adjust your seam allowance and stitch just a thread or two to the right of where you have been stitching. You can either move your fabric to the left, or move your needle to the right if you can do that with your machine.

[Margo]

None of my stuff came out the right size! Too small! :? But...with some fudging and fiddling I'm making it work. The last floater strip-I cut it too big on purpose so that I can "cut it down to size". It'll be the right size before March! :wink:
Sherry

[Margo]

I started sewing my 4-patches to the setting triangles yesterday. Got the two short rows done and they see to be very close to the correct size. Then I will work on the rest after an overnight trip to Merrily We Quilt Along in Springfield for a class. This quit is going to be so pretty.
peg in mo

[Margo]

I've finished my first two rows of the 4 patch, the shorter ones. I measured first one 24", second is 23 1/2. I believe the proper size in Sue's instructions was 23 1/4. Is this going to be a major goof? Can I trim the longer one to 23 1/2 and at least it is equal? Should I wait til I get the longer rows done and see how bad I mess them up? LOL. I use the blue painters tape on my machine as my 1/4 quide, I am using a bit of glue to keep stretching down instead of pinning. The rows don't want to lay flat. I've twirled my seams and tried opening the big seam and that seemed worse. I don't want to steam it and make it more out of shape. Any other advice? Thanks bunches! Sandi in FL

[Margo]

Sandi, I wouldn't recommend trimming the longer one, but you can probably steam block both of them to get them closer to the same length. Try it and let them dry thoroughly before you move them.
Having them the same length is more important than getting them to 23-1/4", because you can make up the difference with the floater strips!

[Margo]

Ok, Thanks so much for helping!! Sandi in FL

[Margo]

I have made one long and one short and both are exactly one inch too short. Any suggestioins????? cheryl

[Margo]

Cheryl, just try to get the short ones the same length, and the long ones the same length. Blocking them will help. Don't worry about the width (which WILL change if you block them). The floaters will make everything work just fine and Sue's directions tell us how to figure the right size for the floaters! I think it's magic!

You might want to check your seam allowances to make sure you are stitching correctly. If you measure your FINISHED squares in the 4-patch blocks, they should measure EXACTLY 1" x 1".

If that measurement is off, do whatever it takes to correct your seam allowance for the rest of the project. You can either move your fabric as you feed it under the presser foot, or you can move your needle to make up the difference, if your machine has that feature. On my Webshots album titled THIS IS A TEST, I show how you can check your seam allowance.



And remember....we are dealing with fabric here, and not tempered steel. Minor adjustments are possible!

[Margo]

THanks Margo,

I did your 1/4 inch testing, and thought I had it all set, but for some reason didn't turn out to be the right size. Maybe I need better lighting by my machine to the right.

I'll just keep trudging alongaand see what happens. Cheryl

[Margo]

good word-trudging.

[Margo]

THanks Lois,
Thats what if feels like. I'm not enjoying this month. I finished all the strips and now my floater border is only going to be 1/2 inch finished. I got the first one on the center block and will put the 4 patches on today. Stilll haven't done the sawtooth stars. March should be easier. I have done many pinwheel blocks. CHeryl