Originally Posted by quilt3311
Will I ever get "good"? I still cant do good triangle points, and wouldn't dream of tackling a circle!
Oh please do not feel that way!!! We all started at the same place you are right now. With each project you will get better. If your triangles don't match, try thangles or something similar. You put two pieces together, sew on the marked lines then cut apart. Perfect triangles squares. You will get better with each project.
I have found those "tips" for making triangles where you stitch them in pairs, sewing on both sides of the diagonal, and cut them apart...they are oversized, and I have room to square them up to an accurate block size....(no eaten points) I find great relief in being a Novice Quilter....I have been quilting for about 6 years now, and am still struggling with that ever elusive 1/4" seam....and I have FINALLY learned to press...lightly...I can distort my blocks with heavy handed pressing. Starch has helped to stabilize my work, and I cut accurately. When I began, I bought the Yellow Brick Road pattern, and sewed one for all the kids it seems...LOL Now, I mostly work on small Floor Quilts for kids, and gosh knows--they aren't very critical...they are cross-eyed looking at that wonderful striped fabric that I added for that inner border...LOL No--I have not yet put together a quilt that is set on the diagonal, and I have not yet tried a scalloped border...but I am in it for the long haul...and I find that in working on donation quilts that are small, and given away to someone who will especially appreciate it, I am able to really enjoy my quilting--all the while learning as I go! You might try some block swaps...a lot of repetition on one pattern will give you a chance to see how they are going together....I like block swaps for that reason alone! ALSO...I finally figured out why my Juki will not easily produce an accurate 1/4" seam. It is because of the large opening at the feed dog site that allows for the siz-zag stitch and some of those other fancy stitches...the feed dogs pull my fabric further to the left....giving me a larger seam allowance...(and I thought it was me..lol) So I am going to buy a single needle throat plate for that machine for when I am piecing...that one only took me about 5 years to figure out...LOL Just hang with these gals--they are a wonderful, kind and talented group that will always share and encourage you on!! I think that I am going to be making sets of placemats for Christmas gifts...small and easily tamed, giving me a chance to survey my work and figure out my weak spots... Mostly...I just love fabric and color....I refuse to give up the one thing that I truly enjoy, and do just for me! (so let them eat cake...or banana bread!) I hope that the pooch has made it home by now...Bless you!
Andy