Top 12 Tips for Keeping Quilt Blocks Square!

Dear Geraldine,

I'm drowning in a sea of tips and tricks about keeping quilt blocks square. Can you help me figure out what's essential?

-Frustrated in Franklin

Dear ‘Frustrated,’

Ah, the quest for perfectly square quilt blocks—one of the holy grails of quilting! There's definitely no shortage of advice on how to achieve this, but I'll keep it simple and effective for you.

Maintaining square blocks is critical for the overall look of your quilt. It can prevent wavy edges, mismatched seams, and a whole lot of frustration down the line. To help you out (and anyone else stuck in the same boat), I've put together a list of 12 essential tips that will ensure your quilt blocks stay perfectly square. Read on, or download your list here for future reference.

Top 12 Tips for Keeping Quilt Blocks Square

1. Cut Accurately: It all starts with precise cutting. Use a sharp rotary cutter, a clear ruler, and a flat mat. Double-check your measurements before cutting.

2. Starch is Your Friend: Lightly starch your fabric before cutting and sewing. This helps prevent fraying and keeps fabric from stretching.

3. Use a Wooden Quilter's Clapper: After pressing seams, lay a wooden clapper on top to help flatten seams and set the fabric. It works wonders for keeping everything nice and flat.

4. Press Don’t Stretch: Just like with seams, press your blocks—don’t iron. Pushing the iron around can distort the fabric and throw your block out of square.

5. Use a Quarter-Inch Foot: A perfect ¼” seam allowance is key to keeping blocks square. Make sure you’re using a quarter-inch foot or checking your seam allowances frequently.

6. Chain Piece When You Can: If your project allows it, chain piecing (sewing multiple pieces in a row without stopping) can help maintain consistency in your seams, leading to more accurate blocks.

7. Square Up as You Go: After completing each block, use a square ruler to trim any excess and ensure the block remains the correct size. Do this before joining blocks together.

8. Pin When Necessary: Pinning isn’t always needed, but for tricky fabrics or fussy seams, pinning can help keep pieces from shifting as you sew.

9. Be Mindful of Bias Edges: Bias edges can stretch easily, throwing off the square shape. Handle these with care and avoid pulling or tugging.

10. Use a Walking Foot for Piecing: If your fabric tends to shift or bunch, a walking foot can help feed all layers evenly, preventing distortion.

11. Check Your Machine Tension: Unbalanced tension can lead to wonky seams that don’t sit flat, which impacts the squareness of your blocks. Adjust your tension so the stitches are even on both sides of the fabric.

12. Stay Patient and Steady: Rushing through piecing and pressing is a surefire way to end up with uneven blocks. Take your time and enjoy the process!

These tips will help keep your quilt blocks looking crisp, precise, and perfectly square. And don’t forget - using a wooden quilter’s clapper when pressing seams can be a game-changer for achieving that professional, flat finish!

XOXO,
Geraldine