Leota

I'm trying to make a star quilt and the blocks have 4 corner squares that have to be set in to V seams. I don't know how to get it to set in smooth. Any tips or technique? I looked in the Tutorials and could not find anything that shows me how to do them. Thanks

cjomomma

I sure hope someone can answer this for you. I have been having the same problem and it's driving me crazy. Thanks for asking this question.

dungeonquilter

If you are making stars using diamonds, you will have to make Y seams. For the diamonds, start sewing in pairs from the center point to the outside, stopping 1/4" from end and back stitch.
To add the squares, start sewing from the outside, and sew to 1/4" from edge and back stitch again. Repeat for the other side of square. Now join these units in pairs again, stitching from the center and stopping 1/4" from end and back stitch. Now you can add two of the triangles. Sew these two units together, starting 3/8 - 1/2" in and back stitching to 1/4" and sew across, stopping 1/4" from edge and back stitching again. Now add the final two triangles. To get the seams to lay flat, press the seams for the diamonds in a circle, and the points out to the edges.
Good luck

dglvr

Thanks dungeon for explaining this. You make it sound so easy.
I usually avoid these patterns in fear of the V seams.. Now I'll keep you instructions and try it. :thumbup:

cjomomma

I thank you for the info too.

Leota

Thank you for this explanation. I will try it and let you know how it goes. I am such a visual learner but then I have also succeeded at reading instructions and working through each step.

raptureready

I'm doing two quilts like this right now for my ggds. I found that if I used a washable blue marking pen (from the quilt store---not my dd's marker box) and made a dot 1/4" from the edge where I need to stop it works wonders. I sew the square in, stop on the dot, take two back stitches, then clip the threads. Then I line up the dot on that diamond with the one on the next diamond, line the unsewn edge of the square onto the edge of the diamond then sew it. Then I do the last seam. I don't usually back stitch when quilting but these seams get tugged more than usual when I'm lining them up so I do it. I had a horrible time with the first couple of blocks until I started using the dot method. Also, do you have a vintage machine? If so, use it. They start and stop much truer than a lot of today's machines. With my new machines the feed dogs start to move the fabric the second I start pressing on the pedal. With my vintage Singer the feed dogs don't move until after the first stitch is taken. Hope this helps. You'll probably get a different answer from each person that types one. I can't wait to read them to see if someone else has a better idea than what I'm using. This is the first time I've done them.

Leota

yes, i have a Viking 6430 and a Featherweight. :D
I will try the dot stop trick too

raptureready

I hope it works for you as well as it does for me. I was able to get 6 blocks (8 Y seams per block) done in less than a day once I started using the dots.

CoyoteQuilts

Here is a link for you that are visual. It is Eleanor Burns. You need to go to the 'Liberty Star' block if this link doesn't go right to it and she helps with the 'Y' seam.

http://quiltinaday.com/theater/victory11.html

Here is the link for Kaye Wood's 'Y' seam. Scroll down on the right side to 'Y' seams if the correct tut doesn't come up.

http://www.kayewoodtv.com/ktv/index....ink=true&chn=1

It takes practice no matter what way you do it and patience.....