Welcome back to my 2021 Block of the Week project. If you are just joining in, find the previous posts here: Week 1 and Week 2.This week’s block is a cute little basket block. You can make several of these and make a fun mini wall hanging! This week’s tip is a review on accurate 1/4″ seam allowances since this block requires accurate seams for everything to fit perfectly to make the 6 1/2″ block. At the end of this post, I share with you a video showing how I assembled the inner basket part of the block, joining triangles to squares. So let’s get started!

Block #3 – Posey Basket

For instructions to make this block, click here: 2021 BOW Block 3.

Now onto this week’s quilting technique tips that I hope will help you to complete this block or just provide a refresher for those of you who are experienced quilters.

Accurate 1/4″ Seams

Why is the 1/4″ seam allowance so important? Because most quilt patterns are written to include a 1/4″ seam in the measurements of the pieces cut out for the pattern, unless otherwise indicated. So, if you do not piece with an accurate 1/4″ seam allowance, your 1 1/2 x 2 1/2″ flying geese unit, for example, might measure something quite different. This will then lead to your block units not measuring accurately, causing you problems assembling them and the quilt top.

It’s best to test out whether your machine is stitching a 1/4″ seam using scrap fabric. even if your machine comes with a 1/4″ quilting foot like mine: 

Thickness of thread and needle position (if your machine allows you to move it) can also make your seam more or less than 1/4”. So, here’s how to test your seam allowance:

First, stitch two scrap strips together using the your 1/4” foot as the guide (or if you don’t have one, the marks on the machine throat plate) and then measure the seam.

My seam measures up! But if your seam doesn’t, my tip to help to achieve a 1/4” seam is to mark a 1/4” line on your machine’s throat plate.

Some newer machines already have a mark etched in the throat plate that guides you to a 1/4” seam if you line up the edge of your fabric with it while stitching. You can test the accuracy of this marking like you did above. Notice, in the photo below, the etched line on my machine (arrow pointing to it). That’s the mark on the machine throat plate I was talking about. I use a tape measure and make sure the needle is at “0” and, as you can see, the 1/4″ mark of the throat plate falls even with the tape measure 1/4″ mark.

If you do not have this marking on your throat plate or you do not want to depend on that, use a piece of masking or painter’s tape to mark the 1/4″. Then you line up the edge of the piece you are stitching with the left edge of the tape. The photo below shows the tape marking on my throat plate. That’s it! Time to stitch those accurate 1/4″ seams!

Mini Tutorial – Joining Triangles and Squares

OK… now it’s time for my mini tutorial that demonstrates how you join triangles and squares together.

I hope this video was helpful!

Share a comment on this post and you will be entered into a drawing for my pattern, Posey Patch. Sorry, drawing is open only for US residents.

You will also be entered into the drawing for the grand prize at the end of this Block of the Week series. The drawing for this pattern will be on Monday, May 3rd. **We have a winner! Congrats, Lois Oberg!**

Happy Quilting!
Deanne