Squaring Up Uneven Blocks
Posted by Judy Taylor on
If you are like me, sometimes your quilt blocks don't always come out perfect. Sometimes when you try to square up your blocks, the edges aren't perfect. Here is a tip that might help you with those "wonky" blocks. First try pressing the block again. If pressing the block again doesn't work, or if the patches on the outer edges of the block are a bit skewed or uneven, use freezer paper to prep the block for sewing. Grid freezer paper makes the job easier, but you can work with plain freezer paper if that's what you have on hand.
1--Cut a piece of freezer paper the exact size your unfinished quilt block should be.
3--Draw two diagonal lines, each from one corner to the opposite corner.
4--Draw other lines you feel will help you position the block on the freezer paper, including the outer 1/4" if you're not using gridded paper.
5--Place the block on an ironing board, right side down Position the freezer paper on top of the block, shiny (unmarked) side down.
6--Align the quilt block with the freezer paper image, matching up strategic parts of the block with the drawing. Use short applique pins to stab through areas to keep the two from shifting apart; regular straight pins are fine, but you won't be able to press as easily without removing them.
When the block and the drawn image are aligned as closely as possible, press the paper onto the block. Remove the pins.
7--Inspect the edges of the block. They probably won't all reach the edges of the freezer paper, but they should extend well enough into the outer quarter-inch area to catch the seam as it is sewn.
8--Repeat for all blocks that need to be squared up. To sew blocks together, align the edges of the blocks pressed to freezer paper and check to make sure the patches are matched under the paper. Secure with straight pins to keep blocks from shifting. Sew a seam 1/4" inward from the edge of the paper.
9--Assemble into rows then join rows. Do not remove papers until all adjoining blocks are sewn together. Leave the papers around the outer perimeter of the quilt until the quilt's borders are added. Remove them now if you plan to make a quilt sandwich without adding borders.
This method helps prevent skewed quilts by keeping the blocks aligned correctly while you work. The seams will be where they should be, and that's often very different than where they would be if you match the edges of inaccurate block.