Quilt in a Day Forums

The pattern that i am using says in the directions to cut fabric in to 1 1/2 x 42 inch strips.4 strips to each panel. I did that and used a 1/4 inch seam as instructed. According to my calculations each panel should measure 5 inches in width. I am coming up at 4 inches. Any thoughts? I recently started using a seam guide. Could this be it?

I don't think it's the seam guide. I don't know where you got the pattern from, but they can make mistakes in the instructions. If it's from a magazine, you can go online and see if they have corrections on their website. Same usually holds true for many of the people who design and sell their patterns.
Lyn

Could possibly be an error in the pattern. What pattern are you using? Lori

Okay, let's break this down because I get 4 inches as the finished size (4 1/2 unfinished).

Instructions say to cut your strips at 1 1/2 inches x 42 inches (width of fabric) to make each panel.

Then you will sew the first 2 strips together with right sides of fabric facing (touching) each other using 1/4 inch seam. When you make this seam it subtracts 1/2 inch from those 2 strips. If you open them now and measure, you should have 2 1/2 inches x 42 inches. Add the third strip. Measure and you should have 3 1/2 inches x 42 inches. Add the fourth strip. At this point your unfinished panel should measure 4 1/2 inches x 42 inches.

Since we do not know what pattern you are following this is about the best that can be done to help you out at this time. If you give us more information we might be able to help you out some more.

Mary/Rosebud

measurements should be:
1 1/2 - 1/4 seam allowance = 1 1/4 + 1 1/4 = 2 1/2"
2 1/2 - 1/4 = 2 1/4 + 1 1/2 - 1/4 = 1 1/4 = 3 1/2 - 1/4 = 3 1/4 + 1 1/4 = 4 1/2

I'm thinking the pattern is wrong?

Tina