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Question of the Week

Question for the week of February 17, 1997:

Our question this week comes from Carol O'Connor

What works best when squaring up blocks and a quilt top?

Barbara Wenders, Moscow, ID :
A square ruller the size of the unfinished block, anda rotary cutter.

Arlene Nolan :
I use my Omnigrid square up for blocks and use the square up and rulers for quilt tops.
Works fine for me. Mark your quilt tops lightly as you want to be able to remove
lines if you don't do it right the first time. Then I use my rotary cutting supplies
to cut blocks and or top.

Kathy Quinn :
A good ruler (appropriate size) and a rotary cutter

Cindy Tucker, Louisiana, Missouri :
Jane has the right idea - check for square at each step when you are making your block units - and if they aren't square - my favorite tool is a seam ripper!!!

Sue Schroyer, Central Valley, Utah :
When squaring up a quilt top I use the old carpenters method. Measure the top diagonally i.e. left top corner to right bottom corner, then right top corner to left bottom corner. If these numbers match the top is square, if not tug gently on the short measurement line and re-measure.

Janine from WI :
I use a 12 1/2" square-up ruler. To square up the corners on a quilt, I use the square-up along with a 6"x24" ruler. First I square up the corners, then I trim the sides w/the long ruler.

Jane Waldrop :
I find if you will use the square ruler to measure the small parts which make up the block you will have no problem when you sew the blocks together. In other words, make sure each 4patch,triangle block,quarter blocks etc.are the exact measurement you need to make the whole.

Paula Trentacoste :
I use a 15" quilting square for blocks. Since most blocks are 12-1/2" when sewn, the 15" square lets me see the entire block on all 4 sides at once. I've not had any problems with the quilt top once the blocks are all squared.

Susan West :
I use my husband's carpenter's square. They come in several sizes.

LCook57192 :
This takes precise cutting and very even seams
and a lot of trial and error. That's the fun of it.
Pressing gently will help but I mean gently.

Karen Waggoner :
For slightly crooked blocks, a steam iron and some gentle
persuasion. For very crooked blocks, a ruler and
rotary cutter. Not rushing while cutting and
sewing help eliminate a lot of straightening.

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