Hey Everyone, welcome back to Technique Tuesday.
Last week I talked about making and squaring up strip sets. This week my topic is about squaring up blocks. Many times as we build our blocks they may be out just a bit or right on the correct size. It is not uncommon for blocks to be out a bit – if the ¼″ seam isn’t quite right or the cutting is off a bit then the block will either be a bit too big or a bit too small. If this is the case then we need to square them off so that they are all a uniform size.
In today’s post I am only dealing with squaring up blocks and trimming down blocks that turn out too big. Dealing with blocks that turn out too small is the subject of another post altogether!
When building blocks with blocks within the block they must all uniform size as well. An example of a block within a block is the Road to Oklahoma or Road to Heaven blocks I made a few weeks ago for Stash Blasting Wednesday. Each of these blocks are made up of 2 different blocks within the block. It is important that these two blocks are the correct size and square in order for the finished block to be the correct size.
What tools are needed?
A cutting mat, rotary cutter and appropriate sized square ruler are the tools needed for the job.
If the block is small such as 6 ½″ or smaller than I suggest using a 6 ½″ square ruler.
For blocks 7 ½″ – 12 ½″ I suggest using a 12 ½″ ruler.
These two sizes will give you the best value for your money. If you are making bigger blocks then a larger ruler will be needed such as a 16 ½″ or 20 ½″.
I have many different sized square rulers and each time I come home with a new ruler my husband says, “Really?You need another ruler? Really? REALLY?”. A great response to this is “And how many screwdrivers do you have?” [EDITOR’S NOTE: Interestingly the conversation never quite gets around to the fact that I could purchase an entire set of screwdrivers for the price of a single ruler!!!]
Squaring Up A Block
What follows are a few examples with different sized blocks and rulers but the principle is the same for all sized blocks whether the block is a pieced block, an HST, a quarter square triangle or one single piece of fabric.
To demonstrate the technique I will start with the single piece of fabric.
Note: the photos appear uneven and round due to the wide angle lens – I was unable to get square on shots without my reflection in the ruler – I assure you the blocks are square with straight cuts
Single Fabric Block – 19 ½″ square
I have a fat quarter that I want to square down to a 19 ½″ square. First of all press the fat quarter and once pressed lay it out on the cutting mat.
Pressed fabric on cutting mat.
For this demo I am using a 20 ½″ square ruler.
Place the ruler on top of the fabric. The diagonal line that goes through the middle of the ruler should be lined up with the bottom left hand corner of the fabric. This may or may not be at the 19 ½″ line – since it has not been squared off yet it will be larger. The diagonal line should run to the opposite top right corner.
Make sure there is a small amount of fabric all the way around if you don’t have a nice straight line along one edge.
Place ruler on top of fabric with diagonal line in bottom left corner.
Trim off the excess fabric on the right hand side of the ruler and the top of the ruler.
Trim off the excess fabric around ruler.
Remove the ruler and turn the block around so that the just squared off edge is now at the bottom left corner of the mat. Place the ruler back on top of the block with the 19 ½″ vertical and horizontal lines lined up with the left bottom corner. The diagonal line on the ruler will sit right in the corner.
Align ruler on squared up side of block with diagonal line in bottom left corner.
Trim off the excess fabric on the right hand side of the ruler and the top.
Trim off excess fabric.
The block is now a perfect 19 ½″ square.
Small – 4 ½″ block
Using a small ruler such as a 6 ½″ or 5 ½″ square repeat the same process above to square off this small block. Make sure to line up the diagonal line of the ruler from the bottom left corner to the top right corner.
Place ruler on 4 ½″ block with 4 ½″ lines on edge of block.
As you can see there wasn’t much to trim off.
Very little to trim off.
Medium – 8 ½″ block
Using a medium sized ruler such as a 12 ½″ square or possibly a 10 ½″ or 8 ½″ square repeat the same process again to ensure the block is 8 ½″ square.
Line up 8 ½″ lines of ruler with edge of block.
Once again there was very little to trim off – just a bit at the top left corner.
Very little to trim off.
Large – 16 ½″ block
Using a large sized ruler such as a 16 ½″ square or 20 ½″ square repeat the same process to square up the block to 16 ½″.
Line up 16 ½″ lines of ruler with edge of block.
If the 4 – 8 ½″ blocks that make up this larger block were the correct size then there shouldn’t be much, if any, to trim off this block.
Precision sewing and cutting is the key to blocks being the correct size and squaring up is also very important to ensure that the quilt remains square throughout the piecing of the entire quilt top.
Happy Quilting!
Thank you for the clear instructions.
I bought a little 2 1/2″ ruler some time ago thinking I’d never use that little thing. This past couple of weeks I’ve been making 6″ blocks with 9 different units, of hst s, square in a square and one pin wheel in the center. Each of these little units was 2 1/2″ sq. Boy did this little ruler come in handy for squaring up all these little units to make the final 6″ block finish accurately.
Betty, I’ve always wondered how useful that little of a ruler would be and obviously very useful indeed.
Considering I’m going to end up making this wall hanging 3 times to get one for myself, I’d say this little thing will have paid for itself..
Yep, I say you will get your monies worth from it by making 3 quilts.
When should the blocks be square up? Before adding sashing? Right?
My blocks were to be 12.5, but are not square. Would you go down to 12 inches even?
Many thanks.
Hi MA Definitely square up before adding the sashing. I would go to 12 ¼ if you can and if not then 12. just make them all the same size and everything will be good. Let me know how it works out for you.
This is the best answer I’ve seen. Today I saw 2 video posts which were confusing. The way you explain it was how I learned in class but I forgot how to do it. Thank you!!
Thank you Penny. I am glad that my post was able to help you.
Thanks this was so helpful … I finally figured out why all those lines on the ‘many’ rulers I have is truly for this past winter — you just help me even more – I’m at the stage of squaring and adding blocks to my half log cabin quilt. So thanks!
Mary, you are most welcome.
I made a Quilt as You Go striped Baby quilt. It was 45 x 60. I sewed all three layers together at the same time. I had a very difficult time squaring it up. I just tried to square up the bottom of the quilt with a long ruler and did the same for the top. Then lined up the bottom of my quilt with the line on my cutting mat and then used one long ruler at the bottom of my quilt and one in the side if my quilt and then trimmed the sides this way.. My quilt was fairly straight when you looked at all the four sides. But when you put the 2 1/2 ” binding on I had no problem sewing one side down but the other side I had to stitch into place. My question is what could I have down differently.
Hi Joanne Use a 12 inch square ruler in the corners to ensure the corners are true 90 degree angles. Then use the long ruler to to the sides and top and bottom. It is not good practice to use the lines on the mat as square up lines as you can not ensure that they have printed on the mat straight. Sometimes with a strip quilt as you go it will become crooked when sewing – to ensure that it can be squared off at the end make the strips a bit longer than needed and the first and last strip wider than needed. The extra fabric can be cut off in the squaring up process. I’m not quite sure what you are saying about your binding as it should have been stitched down around the top of the quilt edge and then turned to the back to be hand stitched in place. I hope this helps. Jen
I need to square up 17 1/2 blocks and don’t have a square ruler that large. I do have a long ruler and a large cutting mat. Can you help me without asking me to purchase a new ruler?
Nancy, You could use the long ruler and the lines on the mat but they are not nearly as accurate as using 2 rulers. Sorry I can’t be of more help. Jen
If your pattern says the finished blocks are 6 by 6 do you square to 6 1/2 or 6.
I am doing a disappearing nine patch so don’t know how to get it right in the middle of the block to square, as my ruler is 15 inch and I am supposed to make this 13 inch. Any suggestions?