Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Do you Trim?

Some progress has been made on my next quilt project, albeit slowly. Just when I thought I was ready to test run a layout of the Half Square Triangle (HST) blocks, I came to the rather unexpected conclusion that I had made no where near enough blocks! I am still about 120 blocks short (how can this be?). That just goes to show you how bad my maths is.

120 more blocks still required!

I wonder if you trim back your blocks? I prefer to make my blocks just a tad on the large side, even up to 1/4 inch bigger than what is needed, and then trim the blocks back accurately to the correct size. I find this works well for me; it makes sewing blocks together a breeze, and therefore results in a nice flat quilt top. It is however a very time-consuming task.


Maybe I have to trim back blocks because my sewing technique just isn't up to scratch?


Mmm ... Can't add, can't sew - but can still make a quilt.

52 comments:

  1. I'm a trimmer too... :) I love them neat and tidy. Or maybe I'm just not a "precise sewer"... :)

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  2. I think I am such a crooked sewer - I always have to trim mine down :-)
    Sometimes those quilt dimensions get a little tricky - looks like you have a ton already too!

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  3. I trim too - mostly because I'm not very accurate with my 1/4" seams so my blocks all end up different sizes!

    Oh - and let's not even talk about math skills! ;)

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  4. I sometimes trim but I should do it more often. Thanks for the reminder!

    And you can still make a *damn good* quilt.

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  5. There is a tool called the Triangle Square Up Ruler that makes trimming much easier and faster.

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  6. i'm a trimmer too (I like to make my blocks a little big too), but lately I haven't been trimming. I am getting lazy. It does make it super easy to sew the top together though.

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  7. My challenge seems to be trimming at the right time. I learnt not to trim my block until the block was complete otherwise it ends up much smaller at the end of trying to square it up after every line of sewing.

    I do love the "confetti" that is left after trimming. lol

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  8. Yes, I am just like you! I prefer to make them a tad larger and trim them down. That way they are guaranteed to be all the same size.

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  9. Yep- I always make them bigger and trim them down. That way I am sure they are all the exact same size, and the quilt goes together nciely and lays flat, too! I use the Triangle Square Up ruler from Eleanor Burns- LOVE that ruler! ~ Jennie

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  10. It depend on the quilt - if it is something where the triangles have to match up precisely to make the look, then I will make them bigger and trim. If there's not going to be another half square triangle touching it to give away the wonkiness, then I won't always. Lazy, I know.

    My last major project with half-triangle squares, I realized when I was about 2/3 of the way through making the blocks that I needed about 20 more than I had and it was really aggrivating. 120 might make me scream. Looks like what you have is fantastic, though.

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  11. Big yes ont he trimming/making the block bigger-to-trim. I'm hoping that over time I will become consistant enought with the seams that I don't need to trim everything. It takes so long!

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  12. you don't just make quilts....you make amazing quilts....i should try your cutting method and make mine a little larger, that could potentially eliminate some frustration. for now i just cut carefully and hope for the best.

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  13. 120 more blocks!!! Well I guess what they say about quilters is true - they have lots of patience. I can't wait to see it done!! Being a new quilter I've never heard of making the squares bigger and then trimming - that tip will definitely come in handy - thanks!

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  14. No I don't, but that's why my quilts aren't as lovely as yours. I think it must be really worth the extra time it takes, and I think I will give it a try!

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  15. Gorgeous blocks Rita! Just the row of them makes me happy ;-)

    And yup, I trim blocks for sure... I think a lot of quilters are kind of anal like that ~ haha

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  16. I guess I'm the odd one out here? I don't trim. I've learned over time that an accurate 1/4" seam is an absolute must for some patterns..so I make sure my seams are accurate. With half square triangles you can trim..but some blocks, like a lemoyne star you can't. I just make sure I'm on my mark when sewing and feed things through evenly and no problems. :) I did a mystery quilt that had us trim after sewing our units and it seemed like it took forever! I will have to say though..you do some of the most beautiful quilts I've seen posted..so obviously, it's working for you!

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  17. i trim.
    yes it takes longer but i often find it helps!!

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  18. nope, don't trim hardly ever, I just eyeball it. :)

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  19. I trim, but not at this stage. I would trim later when the units are made into larger blocks. You should do some practice on a few HST squares and try to get an accurate scant 1/4 inch. I did this, even though I had made quite a few successful quilts and it made a world of difference for my accuracy.

    I'm sure you know to be careful with the iron on triangles. Press gently, don't pull against the seam or you pull the HST out of shape and you will not be able to avoid trimming!

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  20. And how, my dear, and how!

    - Donna

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  21. I always trim now, although when I first started quilting, I didn't!

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  22. Half square triangles trimmed are the only way to go IMHO. Makes for a much more accurate piecing job. But it does take FOREVER. It's worth it though!

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  23. Trimming is my favorite part of making the half square triangle. It's so satisfying to have perfect squares each time ready for the next step. I have a few hundred sitting on my cutting board right now in the trimming process.

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  24. You certainly CAN make a quilt.

    I'm not a trimmer. My motto is "A fast quilt is a good quilt". I just don't have the patience.

    Hence, most of my quilts shouldn't be scrutinised up close. But no one does. I certainly don't. So, for me, it doesn't really matter.

    Andi :-)

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  25. LOL. I totally agree with your method, even though it takes FOREVER. I've decided it's not my sewing that's a fault, it's when I press that the stupid triangles get distorted and the whole thing ends up not quite square.

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  26. I have never trimmed, but maybe I should give it a go, because if its not perfect it ends up in the compost :) Anything for an easier quilt in the end!

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  27. When I started quilting some years ago, I made lots of mistakes because I calculated the inches into cm. Since I use inch rulers and understand the metric system, everything goes smooth and I almost never trim.

    I guess as long as you’re enjoying the process of making a quilt, it doesn’t matter how you put it together! And you can definitely make gorgeous quilts!

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  28. Ooh - good tip! Love the colours - they are so yummy!

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  29. My math...especially when it comes to working out block sizes for quilts, is just shocking! I am certainly going to take that advice on board as I can never work out why my pieced blocks are never the 'right' size. Gotta be my sewing! These triangles look gorgeous.

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  30. Your darn straight you can make a quilt! I can't believe how quickly you built up the squares you have there already so I'm sure you'll get to 120 more in no time.

    "Trimming" is something I wish I knew about before I started making my quilt. Now that I am adding the sashing I am realising how different all the blocks were :(

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  31. yes you can...make a darn good quilt that is! I'm loving reading all the comments since I'm a quilting newbie. Learning lots!

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  32. I'm also a newbie and love reading all about it! Funnily enough I just tried to make a 15" square.. came out as 14". I have realized it is because I use an sewingfoot that has a '1/4"' attachment and obviously it is not quite accurate.... So I sewed on a few extra strips (going to pretend I meant to all along of course...) and now ended up with 17 x16. It occured to me I could trim after the event. I will from now on make everything a little bigger. I'm glad I am not the only trimmer then... phew...

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  33. I am so lazy that I rarely trim. Unless some blocks are so out of whack that I have no other choice. But I don't usually make the tiny blocks that you do, so I think there's more margain for error! Can't wait to see the new quilt!

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  34. You can definitely quilt! I trim too!

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  35. have you ever used those trims?
    It you put them under organza on a dark plain fabric and them quilt all over them they make nice bags.

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  36. I need to trim mine-- I'm also working on a half square triangle quilt. Do you have a square ruler that's the right size, or do you use a normal ruler?

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  37. I don't trim back HST, I just sew them all by hand and hope for the best. But I don't require a nice, flat top! If one happens organically, then it happens. If not, not!

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  38. I'm so glad to hear i'm not the only one who has to trim because i can't "drive" right. I always trim! Wish I didn't have to, but it makes it much easier to get a great finished product. You're quilts are awesome!

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  39. I always trim, or at least check square. Even though I do a lot improvisational work I believe strongly in the fundamentals of technique - consistent seams, pressing, and keeping square. You can't just wait until the end to fix any blips or mistakes.

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  40. I've been thinking I should start to trim. Instead, I fudge. Pull and squeeze. Putting the pieces together seems to hide a multitude of sins!

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  41. It all depends on the accuracy of your machine's 1/4" seam allowance...I don't always trust mine so I do typically trim. Whenever I use a "non-square" shaped template, hex, triangle, etc., I alwasy have to trim.

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  42. I think I'm a trimmer 80% of the time...just depends on my mood and what I'm working on...and how many 1/2 square triangles are involved! :o)

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  43. Okay. Apparently I am the only person who is not a trimmer. Admittedly I haven't read all 42 comments, but I seem to at least be in the minority. My seaming isn't always perfect, certainly, so I must just be lazy -- don't want to take all that time. I don't usually draw the lines either for HSTs, but I KNOW I should do that. Eyeball method doesn't always work.

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  44. I never trim, but maybe I should.
    Your quilts are always so perfect.

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  45. Hello, I found your blog via clunk clunk sew. i am a trimmer too. trimming make blocks neat and tidy!

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  46. With the only quilt top I've ever made I trimmed - because my piecing was a bit inaccurate and the blocks needed to be square (not rectangular like they'd turned out). My engineering brain needs things to be square and bugger the time it takes to get it right!!

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  47. Do I trim? Every step of the way. It's a pain the butt, but I really do think it makes for less frustration when sewing things together and makes for a better looking quilt. 120 more squares! Ouch!

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  48. I always cut my squares for my hst an inch bigger than the finished size and trim. It's amazing how many distort. The quilt is looking good already!

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  49. I'm making a zig-zag with these same blocks and once I started to trim them, I wished I hadn't! Seriously, I'm glad I did, but what a pain!

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  50. Yes that is what I do, so instead of adding 7/8th of an inch I add 1" and trim, I think they fit together much better.

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  51. I use the triangle papers when I'm making my half square triangles. You don't need to trim when you use them. They come out perfect every time. If you shorten your stitch length when you use the papers they come off fast and easy.

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  52. Yes, I trim too. I'm sure it wastes time and fabric to make the blogs bigger, but you can't beat it for accuracy!

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