Expert: Vinette de Phillipe Date: 10/25/2006 Subject: joining blocks accurately.
Question I hope I can express this question clearly.....I have made some 6" blocks for a row by row swap, and added corner triangles so I could set the blocks on point. My problem is when I go to join the blocks, the points on each block where the triangles meet don't line up, unless I move one block up or down. Then this leaves the other block a little shorter. I can't trim this to size, because then I'll lose the seam allowance along the top or bottom of the block.
I'm wondering if I've maybe sewn inaccurately putting the corner triangles on ? although I can't see any problems.
Most of my blocks have turned out 8 and half inches after adding thge triangles, but a couple were close to 9". Once again, though, if I trim, I lose that seam allowance.
Hope you can help with some advice about where I've gone wrong, and what I can do about it.
Many thanks
Answer HI Nanette,
I am wondering if all the blocks were exactly the same size before you stitched the corners on.
Did you square up the blocks before sewing the corners on.
It is possible that the triangels edge stretched as you stitched it.
sometimes spray startching the fabric before cutting stabalizes the bias edge to prevent some distortion.
The ones that are too big, can you remove the triangles and check the size of the center block. Then restitch triangles back on.
You can always add a border around the blocks to make them the same size.
