Saturday, February 25, 2012

What To Do If Your Blocks Aren't the Same Size

Honas52's blocks were probably all the same size, but I thought her set was a smart way to set sampler blocks or blocks made by a group, which are never the same size.

She added corners to the 8" blocks,
rotating the sampler blocks so they are on point.

She used scrappy pieced corners all in this pattern.
You could also use a plain triangle.

The good thing about the math is that if you make the corners a bit large you can then trim the new blocks to a consistent size. No one (not even YOU) will notice that some sampler blocks are a little bit larger than others.

Getting out my blue card, my Fons and Porter's Quilters Need to Know Card (indispensible). I see that the 8" finished blocks will now have a finished line 11-3/8" across the middle. I figured out a pattern with a little to spare in EQ.


I'd cut squares 6-3/4" and slice in half for the triangles.
That will give you a finished square 11-3/4" (12-1/4" with seams). Then you can trim to a conisistent size, which would probably be 11-3/4".  Make the triangles bigger if you want a finished 12" square.

Now adding that piecework pattern to the corners is a different thing. Too much for my math skills.
But didn't Terry do a lovely job?
Here's her photostream:

17 comments:

susan said...

outstanding

KathiP said...

fabulous!

Ruth said...

Thanks for this idea! I wasn't too happy when I saw that all my blocks weren't the same size, but I figured I could fudge here and there or add a little extra if necessary. I'm not sure yet how I will set them, but this is a good option.

Mad Red Hare said...

That is gorgeous!

Jeanne said...

Great idea!

Cakers said...

I get for to set on point in a triangle, but her triangles have piecing in them. What the measurements for the pieced triangles?

mary pernula said...

Thanks for the post, I am trying to figure out what to do with my wal hanging I am making. Hugs Mary

Lucy said...

I love Terry's quilt..

Cakers -- I'd sugges you go into the flickr album link provided and look at some of Honas's pictures. You'll see comments discussing the quilt and where she mentions the strips & corner stones are 2.5". You might find some other tips.

WoolenSails said...

It is a beautiful quilt and I love how she set the blocks and her border.

Debbie

Quiltingmama said...

The quilt is beautiful, and I probably will use the sizing tip more than once.

Maryvonne said...

What a splendid idea ! This quilt is absolutely gorgeous ! Congratulations !

Anonymous said...

I love it. It is absolutely stunning!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

What a great idea. I've framed blocks many times to get them even, but, I'd never added the corners like that. I really like the look. Thanks.

beecee said...

thanks for doing the math- I need St. Thomas too often. This may be the solution to the problem of how to piece the extra blocks into the backing for my quilt.

Elinor said...

Oh ! What a great idea ! Thanks a lot for sharing it with us, Barbara ! :-)
And the quilt... Wow ! I looove it !

Lyn in Vernon said...

This is a fantastic idea! Also a terrific way to set blocks on point. Wonderful!

JoAnn SweetPepperRose said...

Needless to say, this is an amazing quilt! thanks for sharing the photo and the blocks.
JoAnn