Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Have Question on Directional Fabrics and Triangles >
  • Have Question on Directional Fabrics and Triangles

  • Have Question on Directional Fabrics and Triangles

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 01-12-2018, 04:07 PM
      #1  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    ILoveToQuilt's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2010
    Location: New Hampshire & Maine
    Posts: 3,300
    Question Have Question on Directional Fabrics and Triangles

    This is probably a "dumb" question, but how do you make sure the pattern on a fabric is going in the direction you want it when sewing triangles: specifically, the fabrics used for flying geese backgrounds. I am using a fabric that has tiny triangles and I want the points of the triangles to point upwards, not angled at all. I have tried and tried and tried and I can't seem to get the points facing the same direction as the point of the "goose". (If you think of a compass, I want the little triangles on the fabric to point north). Hope this makes sense. Can anyone help??? Thanks in advance!
    ILoveToQuilt is offline  
    Old 01-12-2018, 04:31 PM
      #2  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Apr 2014
    Location: NY Adirondacks in Summer and goes "South" to WNY in the winter!
    Posts: 480
    Default

    Not as easy as it may look. Perhaps you could make a transparent template and use it. I don't think you could multiple cut these, but actually cut them individually, fancy cutting them, if you will. What are you making?
    Terry in the ADK is offline  
    Old 01-12-2018, 04:55 PM
      #3  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Dec 2010
    Location: Michigan
    Posts: 11,276
    Default

    I hope someone will have a better solution than mine, but the only way I've accomplished this was to make twice as many. Half the triangles will have the print going the 'wrong' way, but you will have a jump start on your next project!!
    It also drives me nuts when the pattern goes in different directions. I thought I was the only one!
    PaperPrincess is offline  
    Old 01-12-2018, 04:57 PM
      #4  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2012
    Posts: 903
    Default

    I think you just have to do a sample and figure it out. My method is usually try one, and if it doesn't work try something else
    maminstl is offline  
    Old 01-12-2018, 05:20 PM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    Teen's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Dec 2017
    Location: Southwest Idaho
    Posts: 6,000
    Default

    This happens for me, as well. If I have directional issues that I am aware of before I cut, then I layer my fabric going the same way and stack with right side facing up with all layers. Then I cut and they all come out the same way. Takes some forethought.

    edit to add: If you have already cut the strips out of fabric, before you subcut, cut the strips at the fold, turn them right side up, layer so design is same direction of each strip.

    Last edited by Teen; 01-12-2018 at 05:25 PM.
    Teen is offline  
    Old 01-12-2018, 09:09 PM
      #6  
    Super Member
     
    EasyPeezy's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2010
    Location: Canada
    Posts: 3,460
    Default

    Try this. The stripes for the little triangle on the right should face East (Left)
    and those for the little triangle on the left should face West (Right).
    That's assuming your flying geese is pointing North.
    Otherwise, you can use a piece of paper and draw a flying geese, mark the stripes
    then fold them down and you will see in which direction your fabric
    needs to be positioned. Hope this makes sense.
    EasyPeezy is offline  
    Old 01-13-2018, 12:30 AM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2013
    Posts: 9,299
    Default

    I feel your pain, which is why I try very hard to avoid directional prints. I can't stand flowers growing "downward" or sideways , or houses turned on their side, or animals on their backs. HA. Drives.Me.Nuts.

    But I like Teen's suggestion. I'd try that one first if it were up to me--but I'd experiment with paper first. (Draw triangles all over a few sheets of paper, then figure it out.
    zozee is offline  
    Old 01-13-2018, 07:31 AM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2010
    Location: Hartford, Mo
    Posts: 5,793
    Default

    Eleanor Burns has a book on flying geese on a curve. I have it with a printed 'paper piecing' pattern and the ones he started on. Don't remember the name, but if you go to her site www.quiltinginaday.com you should find it.
    QuiltingNinaSue is offline  
    Old 01-13-2018, 07:54 AM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    Kassaundra's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2014
    Location: Rural Oklahoma
    Posts: 5,374
    Default

    When I'm doing directional, I make templates with freezer paper and draw arrows on the paper side in the direction I want it to go. I lay out the freezer paper and if I can figure out an easy way to cut w/o the templates all the better for me, but if not just press the freezer paper to the fabric and fussy cut. Usually you have to do the old single method of sewing instead any of the multiple ways, like the no waste 4 at a time method for FG for example.
    Kassaundra is offline  
    Old 01-14-2018, 08:29 AM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Dec 2012
    Posts: 1,857
    Default

    Do not cut multiple layers and lay each piece on your cutting area in the same direction. I put a piece of tape at 2 spots on my cutting mat at key spots and use these to line up fabric. I make tree skirts with 12 sections and often use a stripe that I want to be exactly straight. It is a bit more time consuming, but I do not have to recut pieces!
    klswift is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    Glenda m
    Pictures
    43
    04-18-2015 07:37 AM
    Glenda m
    Pictures
    10
    04-14-2015 01:06 PM
    Glenda m
    Pictures
    45
    10-10-2014 11:52 AM
    Sandygirl
    Tutorials
    9
    08-15-2014 09:05 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter