beetle

Anyone actually able to use this method to make 8 pointed stars. It just isn't working for me. *bangs head on wall* The stars come out looking all wonky and my block is so out of square. And I'm trying to be as accurate cutting and sewing, as I can.

I have a book that teaches the diagonal seams method to make stars, geese, etc. But I just don't know... does this really work for anyone?

triciasquilts

It actually took me a long time and alot of frustration to actually do this method. Sometimes I still have trouble. I can do one and it turns out perfect and then the next one will be all wonky like you said. So just keep working on it, I'm sure you will get it.

sewnsewer2

Which book do you have? I have stars by magic, by nancy johnson-srebro and her method is super easy and had photos too.

The come out good too!

beetle

The book is the Basic Guide to Rotary Cut Quilts (yes I'm that much of a newb) by Fond & Porter.

The method I'm using, or rather trying to use, is where you simply sew diagonally from one point of the square to the opposite corner and then trim off your 1/4" seam, and press.

Been practicing all evening and they don't seem to be getting any better. Maybe I just have to do it the other way. Just sew half square triangles together instead.

Mine come out all screwy, points don't match and I always have a lot of squaring up to do. Maybe it's just too advanced for me right now.

b.zang

Are you drawing a line and sewing along it? I've done that when sewing from corner to corner and it seems to work. You should probably pin the pieces together, too (if you're not already doing that).

beetle

No, haven't been pinning or drawing the line. I was trying to do it the way the silly book said to. Put a piece of tape on my machine as a guide. Plus the ones I'm making are kinda small, not sure if I can pin em.

I should clarify that I'm making the star that's a square in the middle with eight triangle points around it. Yanno, the "easy" star. :roll: I've also heard it calle the sawtooth star.

Maybe later on if I make bigger ones, I'll try the drawing and pinning. The ones I'm making now are 5" so, those squares are kind of little... at least for me.

sewnsewer2

I bet if you draw the line & pin you'll have better luck. Also, don't watch your needle, you'll sway your stitching.

Barb M

Oooh, i know what you mean...how you lay a square on top of a strip or rectangle, then sew corner to corner and then trim? I have found if i trim first, and then press, everything comes out wonky, the seam seams to stretch easier after it's trimmed. Sooo, what i do, is i sew, then Press, then trim. And when i press, i can seee if my triangle is matching up with the bottom fabric, and if it isn't, i press and shape it 'til it is, then trim, and it works really good this way.

patricej

do not ... i repeat ... do NOT sew directly on top of the line you draw from corner to corner. instead, sew about 1/16th of an inch inside (to the right) of the line. that's about 2 threads. (this will work if you sew farther inside, too. the point is just to not sew right on top of that line.)

press the top square back ... carefully ... to form the new square. don't trim anything until you have your square.

what many of us do is start with squares that are just a wee bit too big (1/8th" 1/4" larger). once the lines are sewn and the square pressed open, trim it back to the size you want. it's a bit more work and a tad more fabric, but a WHOLE lot less stressful.

beetle

Like I can really sew acurrately enough to sew a straight line 2 thread widths from another line. :lol:

But I have been trimming off the excess before I press it open. I will try what you said.