How To Fix An Uneven Quilt

Have you ever been deep into your quilting process and suddenly realized something’s wrong? All the sewers have been through this situation. Whether you’re out of border fabric or your seams are uneven, you can fix these problems.

However, quilting your fabric allows you to learn from your mistakes and fix them efficiently. Your quilt blocks don’t need to result to be perfect. At times, you may make mistakes while trying to square up your quilt blocks. But, you won’t have to worry as these issues can be fixed anytime.

In this article, you will learn how to fix your uneven quilt and how to avoid making such mistakes in the future. So, grab the detail into your knowledge and fix your quilt blocks efficiently at home.

How To Fix An Uneven Quilt?

Your quilt is made up of two or more layers of fabric, so any uneven layer of blocks can cause discomfort. If you love quilting, then you must know how to fix uneven quilts. If not, you can follow this article to get all the in-depth details about it.

For instance, if you end up squaring your quilt blocks with uneven edges, you can use some simple tips to fix them. First, you have to press the block again, as it may work out in some cases. If not, you have to use the freezer paper technique to prepare the quilt block for sewing.

With every step to fix your uneven quilt, you will need the correct equipment to perform them efficiently. However, your determination and focus will also play a key role in fixing your uneven quilt effectively. So, let’s find out every step, technique, and ways to fix your uneven quilt issues.

Equipment Required To Fix An Uneven Quilt

To fix your uneven quilt efficiently and accurately, you will need every piece of equipment in front of your hand. This will help you to avoid any distractions while fixing the quilt block or patterns. So, check for this equipment below and gather them to start your fixing procedure.

Grid or Plain Freezer Paper

You can use plain or grid-type freezer paper for your quilting process. No matter the quality, a simple freezer paper from a local or online store will do your job.

Scissors

You will need to cut the quilt blocks, fabric, adhesive tape, and stitches. For these purposes, you will need a sharp-edged scissor in front of your hand.

Pencil

You will need a sharp pencil to draw lines on the freezer paper.

Ironing Board

If you have a simple ironing dashboard in your home, use it for your quilting purpose. In addition, ensure that your ironing board has an even and flat surface.

Applique Pins

These short pins are easy to stab and attach to any fabric or blocks. You can work easily and efficiently over these pins. So, ensure to use applique pins for further steps.

If you want to fix the uneven quilt blocks, you must follow the step-by-step guide for efficiency. So, check for these steps to fix your uneven blocks quickly and effectively.

Step 1: Cutting Freezer Paper

First, you have to take a piece of freezer paper and cut it. You can use a sharp-edged scissor to cut the paper precisely. Next, you have to cut the freezer paper the exact size of your unfinished quilt block.

Step 2: Drawing Lines On Freezer Paper

Now, you have to grab your pencils and start drawing. So, you have to draw on the freezer paper’s unpolished side. Take your pencil and draw two straight lines, one along the vertical center and the other along the horizontal center.

Step 3: Draw Diagonal Lines

In this step, you have to draw again. So, use your pencil to draw two diagonal lines from one corner to the opposite corner of your freezing paper.

In addition, you can draw lines that help you to position or place the blocks on the freezer paper efficiently. If you’re not using a gridded paper, you can include the outer ¼ inch of the freezer paper. 

Step 4: Placing The Blocks On Ironing Board

Then, you have to place your quilt blocks on an ironing board on the right side. Now, take your freezer paper with the shiny or unmarked side down and place it on top of the block.

Step 5: Aligning The Quilt Blocks With Pins

In this step, you have to look after the alignment of the quilt blocks with the freezer paper image. Moreover, you have to align and match the strategic portions of your block with the drawing on freezer paper.

However, you can use short-size applique pins or safety pins for pinning the area so that the two fabric blocks don’t shift apart. So, if you successfully align the block and drawn image as close as possible, you can press the freezer paper onto the block. Also, you can remove the pins now.

Step 6: Inspecting The Edges Of The Block

In this step, you will have to inspect the edges of the quilt block. These edges of the block may not completely reach the edges of your freezer paper. So, you must ensure that the block extends well enough for the outer ¼ inch area.

Step 7: Repeating The Steps For All The Square Blocks

Now, you’ve to repeat these steps for the rest of the blocks that need to be squared up. Finally, if you want to sew the blocks all together, you have to align the edges of your quilt blocks that are pressed to the freezer paper. In addition, you must check if the patches are matched beneath the freezer paper.

Moreover, you can use ball pins or applique pins to prevent the blocks from shifting away. Now, you have to sew a seam that is ¼ inch from inside the edge of the paper.

Step 8: Assembling And Joining The Rows

In this step, you have to assemble the blocks into rows and then join the rows. Next, you have to sew all the adjoining blocks together and then remove the papers.

In addition, you must leave the papers around the finishing edges of your quilt until you add the quilt borders. Finally, after all the sewing and stitching designs, your uneven quilt block is fixed and perfect.

How To Fix An Uneven Quilt Borders?

Fixing your quilt borders is more simple and easy than filing the quilt blocks. You won’t even need to sew to get the desired results. So, let’s check the steps that can easily fix your uneven quilt borders.

1. You have to carefully unstitch the threads that are holding the seam together in the border.

2. You will have to remove those threads and make a dart.

3. After removing the stitches, you have to add seam allowance to the fabric border.

4. You have to fold the quilt borders and make them straighter with ironing.

5. Now, you have to use fusible adhesive tape and tuck it in there. The glue of this tape will melt inside, and no stitch will be needed.

6. Repeat this same technique with other border darts until you’re done.

7. Finally, if you wish, you can stitch above the darts for border designs.

Common Mistakes That Causes Uneven Quilt

You have to remember the fact that mistakes are the ladder to success. Your quilting mistakes will help you to learn more and achieve excellence in the field. If you can identify your mistakes and know how to resolve them, you will become a quilting expert.

So, here are some common mistakes that can happen to anyone while doing quilting projects. These mistakes are the primary reasons for an uneven quilt, so follow and learn to avoid them.

Free-Motion Quilting Mistakes

At times, you may realize halfway through your quilting project that you haven’t allowed an out. So, you may get stuck in the corner of your quilt block with no place else to go. Similarly, if you want to go to the next block, you will find yourself in the wrong location.

To fix such a mistake, you won’t have to worry much. But, moreover, you have to travel along a seam or previously quilted line until you reach the desired place.

Inappropriate Seam Allowance

If you end up making quilt blocks that are too small even after following instructions, then check your seam allowance. Unfortunately, adding inappropriate seam allowance has become a common mistake for most quilters.

So, you can add ¼ inch of seam allowance across the board of your quilt patterns or blocks. For instance, you can use your sewing machine, if it has a quarter-inch foot, to get the accurate seam allowance.

What Do You Know About Squaring Up A Quilt?

Squaring up your quilts means that all the corners of your quilt blocks are cut square at right angles.

In addition, all of the edges of your quilt fabric are cut straight too. This squaring of your quilts will help for easier binding and a professional outlook.

What Can You Do If Your Quilt Is Not Square?

If you have a complete quilt project, you can make it square. Actually, trimming the borders of the quilt is better than trimming the blocks of your quilt.

You have to adjust the quilt top, use a straight edge cutting ruler and sew the seams. Then, finally, you can iron it to give an even outlook to your quilt squares.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Jessica

I'm Jessica Flores, a professional fashion designer and an expert seamstress.

Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.

I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.

It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.

Latest posts by Jessica (see all)

• How To Hem Chiffon With Tape - January 21, 2024
• How To Fix Ripped Jeans That Ripped Too Much? - January 9, 2024
• How To Make Pants Waist Smaller Without Sewing? - January 8, 2024