This is a quilting question. I have my charm squares. I have washed them. Do I now trim each one to square or is there a cheat method to getting these odd measured blocks together.

my suggestion .... do not prewash charm packs. Instead press them after spraying heavily with starch, embroider your design. Then cut to desired size. Good luck an hugs, Susan

in all my years i never prewash .I sew a design ,then cut or square it up .hugs

I do a lot of quilting and do not wash my fabric ! If you have bought a good quality fabric then you do not need to do this. IF you do wash then please starch and iron into shape before cutting, When ironing do not move the iron left to right, but rather place in one spot and then do "up and down" action, so as not to stretch the fabric, Hope that this makes sense. It is also so much easier to sew when it is starched !!

I sometimes spray starch onto nine patch squares when ironing the seams into place so that they stay in the right direction.

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by cfidl 04 May 2014

Thank you! I am allergic to factory dust and sizing so I have to wash everything as it comes into the house. I can usually tell if something has not been washed, I do heavily starch so they they are easier to work with if I do not do the liquid goo method of stabilizing.

I have the same Waverly fabric. I have used some with Molly Mine blocks. Good luck with your project.

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by cfidl 28 Mar 2014

I have to go and look, which is the waverly? The pink was a kit.

It will be easier in the long run to cut beforehand. I had done a charm square cut into strips for a quilt and didn't prewash but was sure to cut in advance, it helps cut down on those raveled edges. What pattern will you use? It looks like it will make a beautiful quilt!

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by cfidl 28 Mar 2014

I want designs on it, so that is the next step, then I can trim... I think I should wait in case I want any half square triangles.

You may have already read, you didn't need to prewash them, and if you have it should have been in a whole cloth. The question is how perfect due it want to be. If you off set the rows and have it where no horizontal seams meet you maybe able to get away with out trimming. Just a thought

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by cfidl 28 Mar 2014

I think I have to think about this.

Well, unfortunately I know of no easy solution....normally I don't think most of us actually wash them before they are put together. sandwiched, and quilted...It kind of takes the advantage of having them pre-cut as charm squares when you buy them...If I were going to wash the fabric before I began a quilt and I needed the 5x5" charm square size, I would pre-wash the fabric and then cut it all into the 5"x5" squares...

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by cfidl 28 Mar 2014

sounds right to me! Thanks!

No, now you must cut each one the same. Next time, wash your fabric first so you don't have to cut twice. Good Luck!

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by cfidl 28 Mar 2014

I purchased them pre-cut.

No, no cheating.......☻

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by cfidl 28 Mar 2014

bummer

Sorry must be squared off all must be the same and take note of your seam allowance, all must be the sameas well, otherwise they wont match up sorry no cheat method. ps I also wash the meter or yard before I cut the squares look forward to seeing the quilt.

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by cfidl 28 Mar 2014

I have to wash everything, I am allergic to factory sizing and other dusts.

I don't know of any fast way to square them up. I think most people don't wash them before sewing. I do as you can see the blocks do shrink.

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by cfidl 28 Mar 2014

I can't believe they sell jelly rolls and charm squares with unprepared fabric. I would think the projects would come out all caddywompus!