I must have been really tired when I measured my blocks. I was so sure my 1 inch square measured 1 inch so I went down to check it out again. It was an inch so I measured my blocks again. A perfect 4 1/2 inches. I usually recognize when I'm not functioning 100%. Blew it on that one

MAMA2TNT wrote:
Glad it's working for you Joyce!

Margo, thanks for advising me to cut down my pinwheels. I'm still working on them! They are turning out to be a near perfect 4 1/2"!

Joyce in MI

Linda is exactly right! If you made your pinwheels with the PP technique they should have measured 4-1/2" square if the scale was right. If you have finished all of the pinwheels you can either make a whole new set or add some spacer blocks to fill the length so they will fit the center and then use wide floater strips to make the next border fit.

Another example of precision!! It pays to MEASURE as you go!

GloriaH wrote: Gloria, I wonder if your printer was set to "scale." Did you check to see if the 1" square was actually 1-inch? That would make a big difference, I think, with so many pieces.

OK I know no question is ever a dumb question but I think I may have one. In looking at the directions for the pinwheel borders, they are saying they should measure 4 1/2 inches by xx length. My pinwheel blocks (which I did using the paper peicing and I checked my inch measurement) are 4 inch blocks. What happened? Gloria

Nancy, I've learned alot about floater borders, too. I've never used them before and didn't know the formula. I've always wanted to make a medallion quilt, too, so this will be a tool I'll use in the future for sure. Judy in Torrance

MAMA2TNT wrote:
Joyce, if you use the six inch pinwheels you will have to make MAJOR adjustments to every other border that you add. I would suggest cutting the pinwheels down to 4-1/2" (unfinished size) so that the rest of the borders will fit. Maybe you can add some scrappy fabrics in the rest of the blocks to make up the difference that you loose by trimming the blocks down.

Margo, I hope that you can help me. Amongst and between Sue's pattern, her video, and your photo tutorial, I got really mixed up. My pinwheel blocks are 6" square! I was trying to do these without paper piecing, because I wanted to save on paper. Now I have blocks too large, but I don't want to waste the fabric by cutting them down. I don't have much fabric to work with as it is. I'm just hoping that what I have will be enough. Is it going to look way out of proportion to try to use the 6" pinwheels? Or is this "creative design?" Joyce in MI

Nfiegirl wrote:
Pat, just fill your measurements into the chart that Sue gives on page 7. That will give you the width to cut your strips.

The length will be the length of your Feb. Block and the length of your shorter pinwheel borders.

According to my calculations it looks like you need to cut 2 strips 1-1/2" x 29" and 2 strips 1-1/2" x 31".

Please check to see if you can come up with those numbers when you fill in the chart. This is the way that all of the floaters will be calculated.

Margo..having problems doing the calculation of the next filler border. My Feb. block is 29 in. square. Short pinwheel strip is 31 inches, and the long ones are 38 1/2 inches. These are way off from what the finished strip is suppose to measure. Help, my mind is blank this morning. What should it do??
Pat

This 2009 TQS BOM has so many techniques for quilters to learn. There's even some new/better techniques for the more experienced quilters, especially if they use the forums in addition to the pattern instructions.

So far, my favorite new technique learned was how to measure and use floater borders to connect borders that wouldn't otherwise fit.

Don't feel dumb...feel SMART that you've figured it out and have learned a good lesson! There will be lots of floaters in this quilt, and it's a great tool for other quilts when things don't fit quite right!
GOOD FOR YOU!!

I found my error after much thinking and fussing. Was putting the floaters in the wrong place on the outside of the pinwheels instead of the inside. DUH. Do I feel dumb. Oh, well its a learning experience.