A puzzle and some strips -

First the puzzle -

Another one by CEACO - Americana - 500 piece - :))

During a break with my friend and the puzzle - I checked my email - and got one from another friend asking if I tore my strips wider than the desired width to allow for "de-stringing"?-

Good Question -

I replied - that I hadn't taken that into consideration - and the edges were/are a bit frayed. I was in the middle of "puzzle time" with my friend - so I hadn't measured them - but I was pretty sure they were short - but they were border strips - so I didn't care. I suggested tearing one strip - de-stringing it - measuring it - and adjusting accordingly. I wasn't going to worry about it much - but I was planning to sew my seam at 1/2" to account for the "fray".

After after my "puzzle" friend left - I went on to say that I had measured my strips - clipped them 5-1/2" apart - and tore at the "clip". The left side frayed at the clip - the right side frayed a couple of threads "inside" the clip so the strip is a couple threads short - but not a full 1/4" short.

And - I don't think the difference is enough to worry about with border strips - but if you are trying to fit it to something else - a pieced corner block, for example - and need more accuracy - you might want to cut them instead. I'm going to use mine "as-is" - with a 1/4" seam - they should be just fine. But then again - BOB says that I should move my needle to the left a couple of "clicks" just because - LOL - ;))

The "fray" is the same problem that I deal with on pre-cuts that have "pinked" edges. I hate that - just cut the dang things straight! There have been times when I have seen beautiful strip rolls and decided NOT to buy them - and chose another roll with "straight" cut edges instead. Then there is always the "warning" that because the edges are not "pinked" they will tend to fray - LOL - ;))

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Then I went back to re-measure my strips - with a different ruler - and realized that they ARE 5-1/2" - and only a thread or two short at the most - so they're close enough for me. I took more photos - a little fray - but who cares - LOL - ;))

So - I repeat - if you're thinking of "tearing" instead of "cutting" -

Try tearing one strip - de-stringing it - measuring it - and adjusting accordingly.

If the "fray" doesn't bother you - use it "as-is" -

Or trim it - or move your needle to the left for a wider seam allowance -

Or do whatever you want/need to do to make it work for you!! - ;))

BOB says - if you do decide to "trim" it -

You might as well just "cut" it next time - LOL - ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -