Quilting 101 - Accurate 1/4" Seams

Sewing an accurate 1/4" seam allowance is absolutely essential to success in quilt making! If seam allowances are too large, wide, or 'fat'; the finished block will be to small or out of wack (so to speak). Just think about how many pieces and seams there can be in one block.

For example this Clay's Choice Block (above) has 32 seams, in the end the block can become so distorted that it ends up not the intended size or the pieces in the block also will not fit together. If the seam allowance is off by even just a tiny teeny weenie bit these small 1/64" or 1/32" differences when multiplied by at least three can add up! Well, you can see how the inaccuracies can become very troublesome. The same is true of the width of a seam if it is too narrow, only this time the resulting block would be to large.

Just because you have a 1/4" foot does not mean your sewing a scant 1/4".

Key word here is scant not exact, a scant 1/4" refers to making the width about two threads or 'hairs' less than the very accurate perfect 1/4" seam. This allows for the turn of the fabric when the seam is pressed, either open or to one side. This can make a large difference in how your finished block measures.

Check your seam allowances!

Accuracy Test

(yep it's a pop quiz)

Cut 3 strips 1 1/2" by 3 1/2", sew these strips together along the long side. The finished block should measure exactly 3 1/2" by 3 1/2" when finished and pressed.

If your piece is wider than 3 1/2" try sewing a new set of strips and widen your seam allowance just a bit. Or if your block is to narrow, make a slightly narrower seam. After testing and finding that sweet spot - place a a piece of painters blue tape on the throat plate or machine bed to use as reference when piecing.

Of course all this being said, quilting is for the fun of it. If you sew a block and its off then don't despair use this as a wink from the artistic spirit in you and create textile art as you so see fit!!!!

Spring is here

Yep, spring is really here!!!

We planted broccoli and cauliflower.

Tomatoes, tomatoes and more tomatoes (and some bell peppers too). In the background you can see my $10.00 composters. I picked up two $10.00 garbage cans at the home store and drilled large holes in the sides, and cut off the bottom. It's great you fill it up with stuff and once a week lift it up turn and put back in can. I will have some great compost and save the landfills too.

Pole beans in a cute little pot, strategically placed to create shade on the side of the house.

Carrots, leeks and zucchini...................................yum!!

Braid Placemats Part: One

Well it all started with this disscusion at Block central on a strip pieced table runner. I found a pattern at Quilters Cache

It's so pretty and I thought that it would make great placemats.

I went to a quilt shop and picked up these 3 charm packs. I ended up with a lot of pretty 5 inch squares and in a lot of colors.

I figured that I could get 2 strips out of each square and save the scraps for other fun projects. My strips are 2 inches wide.

Here are a few of the strips before sewing.

After I sewed the strips together in the length I wanted I then took it to the rotary cutter.....

Trimming the ends first. I lined up the seams with the 45* mark on my ruler and cut away.

This is one trimmed end.

After trimming the ends, I then trimmed the top and bottom.

This is one braid that is 16" long by 5.5 " wide. I am going to use two per placemat.

A good tip; after trimming the ends save the scraps to start you next braid.

To be continued..................................

In the mean time check this out:
Check out Bonnie Hunter's cool braid ideas.

Here's another tutorial.
For anyone with EQ5 check out this great tutorial from Patti Anderson. I took a class with her once and she is a wonderful teacher.

My New Fabric Shopping Cart

Yep, I took the plunge and bought a new car. The mileage is great 25 city/36 hwy. Although I am scared to death to park her in any public parking lot, when I actually go shopping may be up in the air for now. Funny thing the payments don't start until my birthday. This is the first nice new car I have ever owned - and at my age you would have thought I have owned many cars. Well no, my first car was a 10 year old Toyota Celica, and she was a great car!! By the way Toyota dosen't make them any more, they really should rethink that!! Then I owned a Suzuki Swift, not the greatest car on earth, but it got me where I needed to go. And now this baby. Ask my husband he thinks I am crazy - I won't park anywhere in Walmart's parking lot and I only want to drive on certain roads. That's just me, she sweet and she is mine.

I hope you had a good weekend - I washed and waxed the baby.

Block Central's BOM 2008 Block 1

There she is! The first block was great, I really doubted myself on the colors, but they are playing together very nicely. The new Feb. block is up: http://blockcentral.com/bom2008-2.shtml

You really should try this it's great fun and everyone at the Block Central Forum is wonderful! At one block a month - Who Couldn't Do This!!!!