I have a little puzzle for you to ponder today, and for which there is no right nor wrong answer, it’s entirely a matter of interpretation.
The above is a quilt block I made for Susan as part of Brit Bee last year. She had asked for blocks of all different sizes, so it was entirely open for me to interpret, but what happens when you are asked to make something of a specific size?
If you were asked to make a strip, for example, that was 10″ x 60″, what would you make?
a) a strip that was 10″ x 60″ in total
b) a strip that was 10 1/2″ x 60 1/2″ in total
Note that the original specification of this did not mention finished or unfinished, and, as I said there is really no right or wrong answer, just what would you do? Consider this some kind of social experiment :oD
I am a rules follower so those sorts of situations put me over the top. I would say block–should it be square? If I had instructions to make a strip like that I would immediately question-is that finished? I like lots of information upfront. Bet you couldn't have guessed that about me huh?
That's an amazing star!
I think I'd ask the person again, but if you can't I'd stick to the actual instructions. 10×60 it is.
Love my star. And are you having problems piecing your Stitch Tease – do you have strips?
Every bee I have joined has to have this conversation. When they ask for a size is it the measured size or the finished size of the piece that is to be sent. I expect that there is some quilting convention somewhere but since I don't know it for sure I assume others don't either and I do ask what people are hoping for as it is really a drag to send a piece that is 1/2" too small.
I would do what the requester asked; surely s/he knows what s/he means. 🙂
Always question, but quilters should be smart enough to ask for what they want. I'd make what was asked for.
Hmmm I wouldnt have thought twice about it, I'd have done 10.5 x 60.5…
If I wasn't sure I'd double check with the person they were for. If I couldn't ask I'd go the larger size, it can always be cut down.
I would ask for clarification from the requester straight away. I took part in a little project last year and we had to make small blocks. I blundered on making my blocks and trimming and trimming and kept losing points. So before the third attempt I went back and asked and it turned out the measurements would make a 5" finished block. So my trying to get a very pointy block down to 5" unfinished was making me swear…
Reading above I now feel that I'm completely lacking in curiosity – I'd make what they asked for and assume they knew what they were doing, but I would generally try to make it a teeny bit bigger so it can be cut down accurately. Juliex
Lol I'm confronted with this almost every month for bee blocks. I always check but if I couldn't check for some reason I would add .5" for seam allowance, especially if they asked for 10" because I would think 10" is more likely a finished block size that 9.5" 🙂
I would assume that it was the finished size and make it bigger! I would love to make that star block? Is the pattern available!
I think i would add on the seam allowance, but if I was unsure in anyway, I would ask. Like one of the other ladies, I would expect 10" to be a finished size rather than 9.5".
I'd also ask if that was the finished or unfinished size! If I wasn't able to ask then I'd make (if possible) something that was 10.5" x 60.5" but design it so that it could have 0.25" trimmed from all sides and not affect the design.
I do just as I'm told so 10×60!
I'd need to know so I'd ask. If that wasn't an option I'd add a seam allowance just in case, after having a meltdown. I'm like Amy.
I’d make a 10 x 60 inch strip. And I’d expect the person requesting the strip to be saying that included the seam allowance.
I'd do 10 x 60, and then realise perhaps it was meant to be 10.5 x 60.5 and start swearing…
I don't understand the question! LOL! I would assume the measurements given were for finished size! Jxo
I'd like to make the assumption it was a finished size, but I have learnt, never assume, check! So,I'd be going back and asking the question, is that finished size or not?
I'd probably assume it was a finished size but design it to be able to cut it down if need be. But, truth be told, I'd probably ask.
I would do a 10 x 60 because I think that the person requesting the block would not assume that everyone else participating would know that they were to add 1/2". They would have to expect that not everyone would know that, because there might be some beginners in the bunch, and we always have to help them learn and we can't make assumptions that they will know what to do. When sewing a craft, clothing, or bag pattern, I expect the writer to say whether the seam allowance is included or not, and I think this should be the same. You can't be expected to know what you don't know! Having said all that, because I know what I know… I would make sure I asked 😉
Hmm, I would add the 1/2 inch and make it 10.5 x 60.5. That way, if I was wrong, the person could trim it down – what's the extra 1/2 inch to me?
I would make 10.5 x 60.5 and keep my pattern well within the 10×60 limits. I hope I did that for Stitch Tease! Yikes, am I in trouble?
I would ask, but if I didn't get an answer I would make it half an inch bigger. This issue comes up ALL the bloody time!
I don't do bees, because who has time? Well, ok, all of you here 🙂
But if I did, I'd ask. Or if I got no replies I'd assume the dimensions they gave me were the finished size. Unless I wanted to reach them a lesson, then I'd send it to those exact measurements 😉
10 x 60 I'd make: that was the request, wasn't it?
I love your block!
I would do exactly as the person describes. 10 inchx 60 inch. If she needed the seem allowance she would have put it in.
I would/did make 10 1/2 x 62 1/2…was I in the majority/minority?
I'd have assumed that was the finished size so I'd go option b and add the extra 1/2"
Verbatim compliance: 10" x 60".