Diannerab needs help with her quilt

I got this message from Dianne and figured the best thing to do was post it here and see what you all can come up with in terms of advice and help for Dianne.

"I do need some help. I am making a king size quilt (I probably told you that) but I am finding that the panels are not squared. The traditional methods may not work as the panels are very close together (b4) I cut them out leaving a scant 1/4" to sew.

Just wondering how to do that using the theory measure twice, scream for help and then finally cut.

It is the 12 moons quilt pattern on Robert Kaufman site. But a very much larger version.

I do have the panels cut apart but they are not square and some are huge 16 7/8 x 22 so yes I do need your help."

Here is a picture of the quilt pattern and panels




Thinking caps on ladies - what do you suggest?

sometimes if you hold opposite corners of the sq and give it a tug it will sq up. I usually do this prior to cutting. Since she has already cut her blocks.... I would lay them on the iron board, spray with a bit of water...let it soak in, pin the corners-top-bottom-sides to the size she needs and let dry....sometimes a press with steam will help do this too.... do not disturb the block until it is totally dry, then handle carefully till sewn. Does this make sense? You can also do a bit of spray starch to get it to sq to size.....try what ever might work best.

I love panels, but they are never ever straight or sq....

That is exactly what I would have suggested. this should be a stunning quilt.

How far off square are the units? Once in a while, with panels that don't respond to treatment and are WAY off, I use trianglular wedges to bring them into alignment, or make it obvious that "off" was my intention.

Please show us the results when you are done.

I agree with QM who says that the panels have to be square there are blocks that are kiltered intentionally and it would really make an interesting concept especially with that black backround cut the 2 ends on the diagonal going seperate ways...

Beautiful panel.

I have bought exactly ONE pannel and will never buy another becuase of that exact problem. What a pain in the patuttie that was. each block was wet and blocked. I ended up making it even by sashing all and squaring them afterwards.

I don't think she meant that the panel was not square as in "it was wonky."

I think she meant that it was not square meaning it was not 20 x 20 or 30 x 30. It was 16 x 20 which is a rectangle.

A kind sized quilt is generally square, 108 x 108 or larger.

I would fill in with a strip of flying geese or narrow ladders, etc.

OK Girls,
Here is what I decided to do. Since I have so many panels to use, I plan to take each idea and try it and see which one works best. Will keep you posted on my progress.

wonderful chat ladies I feel as if I have just been to tea!

Love you all
Dianne

Ladies
I loaded the pre-quilt in my gallery, if interested please give it a look and let me know about the layout it is a huge project. There will be drops on all sides, fabric under the pillows and a skirt around the bottom pleated. Thanks again
Dianne

Dianne, I love that. I would never have thought to place the big section with the swimming fish both up/down and side/side. Really nice.

looks like a big job ahead of you... love asian fabrics... hope it all works well for you...

Going to be a lovely quilt one day Dianne, really nice layout. Seeing your blocks cut brings something to mind as an idea to square them up somewhat. Could you perhaps applique the crooked/wonky blocks onto plain black blocks cut nice and square and to the size you want? With the black borders it would merge into the black blocks and not really been seen unless up close. Just a thought, use optical illusion to help square them off some?

iT does look stunning . As long as you can make strips or blocks with panel pieces and background that will fit together in strips like you have done you can use anything ! Are you using black for your backgrounds between the pieces ?

That is going to be a stunning quilt Dianne!

I have to agree with everyone else, it is going to be beautiful! Such a beautiful and colorful panel, Dianne!

Ladies,
Starting squaring the panels and so far so good. One lady suggested I give a tug and another suggested sprinkle with water and pin to the correct size. OK I did both. Long time ago when in school I remember taking the fabric at one corner diagonally and gently pulling the fabric. Now once the pins are removed I am hoping the panels will stay close to being rectangular or square or whatever they are suppose to be. Going to a quilt show in Naples this weekend. My LAQ will be there Vickie.

And, yes Black inbetween for the strips. My Man is watching with curiosity as I work on his project.

Will post another photo as I go along with this.

Thanks thanks thanks for your support and ideas,
Dianne

Enjoy your quilt show Dianne... and we will be looking forward to pictures.... and your Mans response...

Looking forward to seeing pictures as you work Dianne, enjoy the quilt show and yes, do make sure to tell us your man's response to the quilt, love hearing what me think of them

One of the worse things I did was making aquilt using the Flower Fairies panel/ blocks. I washe dit first . Oh boy there was no way I was getting those blocks into shape again . had to give up and buy another piece . They are often not printed on very evenly without having them warp after washing.

Uh yeah, I did that too Henny Penny with a flannel panel, bad bad mistake, one day I might finish putting it together, the blocks are so wonkified I decided to use plaid fabrics to try and fool the eye somewhat and draw away from the obvious crookness of the blocks