Quilt in a Day Forums

Hi all. I am making my first quilt project by machine. Actually a table runner. Is it normal to not have perfectly squared up squares? Any hints or tips welcome.

I don't think I've ever had a "perfectly" square block. The best advice I would have is to make sure all your pieces are cut as perfectly as possible and have a consistent 1/4 inch seam allowance. You should watch one of Elenor's videos so you can see how she presses to "set" the seam before she opens and presses and also you can see how she squares things up by using her squaring up rulers - sometimes it's just a matter of the tiniest bit but it makes a big difference in the end result. Hope this helps.

Thanks. I did watch some Elenor's videos and they are great.

El always cuts the pieces to most of her blocks - oversized and then squares up them before she adds it to the larger block.

She has some great rulers to aid in squaring half-square triangles - it is her Triangle Square Up Ruler - it is wonderful!!

She also taught us to take a scant 1/4 inch seam - just a thread width - so that when you press the seam open you don't lose that width taken up by the thread - in a many pieced block it does add up.

Thanks! I just need more time to quilt! My job gets in the way - but it does fund the hobby too!