I love it when I put out a cry for help and so many of you rally round to save me from myself. Did I ever get a lot of great suggestions for the precise creation of the Farmer's Wife blocks! If you get a chance, do read all the comments from yesterday's post. If you are like me, you will learn so much that will enhance the success of your blocks.
My Farmer's Wife issues were all about "scaling". Liz, from Liz Quilts created a pdf file of many of the Farmer's Wife templates combined on one sheet of paper (instead of one per page as printed from the cd that comes with the book). Brilliantly helpful. Only when I printed them out, I neglected to follow one very crucial piece of advice that she gave. When I printed the templates, I did not hit "None" for the scaling criteria. My default scaling was "Print to Fit", and yours probably is too. If you do not hit "None", your blocks will NOT come out the exact size you need to get the perfect 6 1/2 inch block. My blocks were coming out a quarter inch too small due to the fact that each of my templates was off by about an eighth of an inch.
Here are two blocks, both "Autumn Tints". The one on the left was made with my too small templates. The one on my right was made by doing the math (two 3 1/2" squares, eight 2" squares).
Here they are with my too small block on top of the correct 6 1/2" one. You can see that it is just a wee bit too small. The question is, since the difference is so teensy, will I be able to use the half dozen or so too small blocks I have made in the finished quilt? Can I tease them so they fit? Maybe. But I can tell you that the rest of the blocks I make will be finishing at the proper 6 1/2" size!
My too small blocks would make adorable mug rugs…
I am also ordering the Marti Michell acrylic templates, and will keep you posted on how that works for me. Pam in Chico (Library Gal Quilts) raved about them and so did Debbie (Thread Gatherer).
Oh. A couple of you asked to see my ugly block that must die.
Lord have mercy. That is some ugly block. It was horrid to make, with all those fabrics coming to a point in the center of the block. And the color placement? I just don't know. A clown would like this block I bet.
26 responses to “A Tale of Two Blocks”
No offense, but I’m not sure even a clown would like that block.
Thanks for the great hints on making the other blocks!
No offense, but I’m not sure even a clown would like that block.
Thanks for the great hints on making the other blocks!
As a beginner quilter, I would be happy with the block…but it is not your best…your quilting is fabulous and your blocks look way perfect to me. I am glad you figured out your block issue. If you choose not to use them in the quilt, why not make a couple throw pillows for the bed with them?
Still no baby? Guess you two will be doing something fun to occupy your time today, then. Have a great day, Nicole, whatever you’re up to.
As a beginner quilter, I would be happy with the block…but it is not your best…your quilting is fabulous and your blocks look way perfect to me. I am glad you figured out your block issue. If you choose not to use them in the quilt, why not make a couple throw pillows for the bed with them?
Still no baby? Guess you two will be doing something fun to occupy your time today, then. Have a great day, Nicole, whatever you’re up to.
Don’t believe you could “iron that block into submission.” LoL
I make my templates by copying the design on a copier and then use laminating sheets (Staples) to cover the design and cut the templates out. The sheets give stability. This is a technique I learned from Becky Goldsmith from Piece ‘O Cake for making templates for applique. Works well. Judy C in NC
Don’t believe you could “iron that block into submission.” LoL
I make my templates by copying the design on a copier and then use laminating sheets (Staples) to cover the design and cut the templates out. The sheets give stability. This is a technique I learned from Becky Goldsmith from Piece ‘O Cake for making templates for applique. Works well. Judy C in NC
Methinks that wee-bit small blocks could be used if you sew with the small block on top and use the bottom block of proper size as your seam guide. That would make the small block’s seam allowance a tad less than 1/4″ but I’ve done that often and so far, so good!
What is the name of the ugly block? I’ve never seen that block before and agree those points look like they’d be a nightmare to sew.
Does Baby E’s mommy see her doctor again today?
Hugs!
Methinks that wee-bit small blocks could be used if you sew with the small block on top and use the bottom block of proper size as your seam guide. That would make the small block’s seam allowance a tad less than 1/4″ but I’ve done that often and so far, so good!
What is the name of the ugly block? I’ve never seen that block before and agree those points look like they’d be a nightmare to sew.
Does Baby E’s mommy see her doctor again today?
Hugs!
Wow. I never thought I’d say this to you… That block is really ugly. ‘Nuff said on that account.
I tend to scan some of my magazines to reduce the need for storage. When there is a template involved, I put a small 6″ ruler on the scanner so that it will scan with the design. When I eventually print out the pattern I use the ruler as a guide to make sure it’s printed to the correct scale.
As to your small blocks… with so many other blocks you could spread them out across the quilt and I doubt they will give you grief. If you are putting sashing on them you could always compensate by adding 1/4″ to the sashing. I took a class with Sharyn Craig who would add the small bit that was off in the same color of the sashing so that when the block was added to the quilt it went unnoticed. She used this method for block swaps.
Wow. I never thought I’d say this to you… That block is really ugly. ‘Nuff said on that account.
I tend to scan some of my magazines to reduce the need for storage. When there is a template involved, I put a small 6″ ruler on the scanner so that it will scan with the design. When I eventually print out the pattern I use the ruler as a guide to make sure it’s printed to the correct scale.
As to your small blocks… with so many other blocks you could spread them out across the quilt and I doubt they will give you grief. If you are putting sashing on them you could always compensate by adding 1/4″ to the sashing. I took a class with Sharyn Craig who would add the small bit that was off in the same color of the sashing so that when the block was added to the quilt it went unnoticed. She used this method for block swaps.
Your ugly block is the one that came out like a volcano for me. I’m going to paper piece it over again. It was certainly a nasty one to work on.
Ugly doesn’t describe that block! LOL
Your ugly block is the one that came out like a volcano for me. I’m going to paper piece it over again. It was certainly a nasty one to work on.
Ugly doesn’t describe that block! LOL
Well, someone has to die for the benefit of others….make it a mug rug. it will be a great conversation piece. ;0
Well, someone has to die for the benefit of others….make it a mug rug. it will be a great conversation piece. ;0
I think you could just resew the seams on the too-small blocks and make the seams a tad less than 1/4″? That seems like a lot of work. Could you just remake the blocks?
I think you could just resew the seams on the too-small blocks and make the seams a tad less than 1/4″? That seems like a lot of work. Could you just remake the blocks?
Okay, am I the only one that doesn’t think it’s that bad…poor little block 🙁 The polka dots are cute. I’m sure you’ll find something to do with it…watch it be Baby E’s favorite colors! Waiting to see more progress on your blocks and Baby E!
Okay, am I the only one that doesn’t think it’s that bad…poor little block 🙁 The polka dots are cute. I’m sure you’ll find something to do with it…watch it be Baby E’s favorite colors! Waiting to see more progress on your blocks and Baby E!
I’ll be interested to see how you like the MM templates and how your newer version of the “clown” block turns out.
I’ll be interested to see how you like the MM templates and how your newer version of the “clown” block turns out.
Actually, Nicole, I like your block! Not sure it really fits in the scheme of things with your other blocks but I think you should not sentence it to death. It may be just the thing you need in the overall quilt. As for your too small blocks I think you will end up making them over in the end and using the smaller ones for mug rugs. I think that is a clever idea.
Actually, Nicole, I like your block! Not sure it really fits in the scheme of things with your other blocks but I think you should not sentence it to death. It may be just the thing you need in the overall quilt. As for your too small blocks I think you will end up making them over in the end and using the smaller ones for mug rugs. I think that is a clever idea.
I did the same thing and printed the templates out wrong, but thankfully I had only made two blocks;o)
I did the same thing and printed the templates out wrong, but thankfully I had only made two blocks;o)
I belong to a farmers wife group and one lady said she was going to border all her squares so she could trim them to correct size without having to worry about the 6.5, 6 1/4, 6 inch deal. It’s a good idea if you don’t mind the border on all of them. 🙂
I belong to a farmers wife group and one lady said she was going to border all her squares so she could trim them to correct size without having to worry about the 6.5, 6 1/4, 6 inch deal. It’s a good idea if you don’t mind the border on all of them. 🙂