How to not lose points on my friendship star
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 7
How to not lose points on my friendship star
Hi everyone, I just introduced myself in the introduction section.
I am attempting to make my first friendship star pattern with half triangle squares. I'm not sure how to piece them so that I don't lose my points on the edge of my star. I'm wondering if I need to somehow skew the piecing or making less than 1/4 inch seams.
Any help would be appreciated. I've looked for tutorials, but none of the ones I've found address this issue.
I am attempting to make my first friendship star pattern with half triangle squares. I'm not sure how to piece them so that I don't lose my points on the edge of my star. I'm wondering if I need to somehow skew the piecing or making less than 1/4 inch seams.
Any help would be appreciated. I've looked for tutorials, but none of the ones I've found address this issue.
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
You need to sew with a "scant" 1/4-inch seam allowance. Not all block patterns require this, but those with points do.
I wrote a long post some time ago about how I use moleskin to create a physical guide for the scant 1/4 inch, but I can't find it at the moment. Search Youtube for "how to sew a scant quarter-inch seam" and you should find some demonstrations. I think it works best to create a physical guide. Dritz has just come out with some adhesive hard foam strips that work well for this, but you still have to know how to position them correctly (the red Dritz "gauge" for this is incorrect). If I have time later today, I will post my method here.
I wrote a long post some time ago about how I use moleskin to create a physical guide for the scant 1/4 inch, but I can't find it at the moment. Search Youtube for "how to sew a scant quarter-inch seam" and you should find some demonstrations. I think it works best to create a physical guide. Dritz has just come out with some adhesive hard foam strips that work well for this, but you still have to know how to position them correctly (the red Dritz "gauge" for this is incorrect). If I have time later today, I will post my method here.
#4
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Asheville, previously Lake Vermilion, Tarpon Springs, Duluth, St Paul, Soudan
Posts: 1,651
That scant 1/4 does me in. I cut squares 1 inch larger than the finished block size. Draw a diagonal line, sew 1/4 inch each side of the diagonal. Cut along the line you drew, open up the half square triangles, press them. Now square up the units to 1/2 inch more than the finished block size, being sure to keep the seam line along the 45 degree line on your ruler and the seam going right into the corner.
There are many tutorials available on this method. Here is just one.
http://quilting.about.com/od/quickpi...uaretria_2.htm
There are many tutorials available on this method. Here is just one.
http://quilting.about.com/od/quickpi...uaretria_2.htm
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 7
That scant 1/4 does me in. I cut squares 1 inch larger than the finished block size. Draw a diagonal line, sew 1/4 inch each side of the diagonal. Cut along the line you drew, open up the half square triangles, press them. Now square up the units to 1/2 inch more than the finished block size, being sure to keep the seam line along the 45 degree line on your ruler and the seam going right into the corner.
There are many tutorials available on this method. Here is just one.
http://quilting.about.com/od/quickpi...uaretria_2.htm
There are many tutorials available on this method. Here is just one.
http://quilting.about.com/od/quickpi...uaretria_2.htm
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 2,189
Just remember when you have an unfinished block with a bias 'point' that it will be 1/4 inch in from the edge. This includes 1/2 square triangles (1/2 triangle squares... same block new name ) and flying geese...
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: West Coast
Posts: 9,267
nobody wants to hear this, but practice, practice, practice. You will see where to adjust to improve your accuracy. doing many scrap blocks has helped me. I have a nice pile to play with for design purposes.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tothenci
Links and Resources
6
06-22-2012 10:15 AM
craftybear
Recipes
12
06-21-2011 03:43 PM