Kcmomto2

So these units will be sewn into 16” finished blocks, two of which I’ve completed. These units aren’t coming out right, though. Besides the fact that half of my large triangles are cut 1/4” short, so I removed them and will recut them the right size; it appears that the other units within this larger unit have something wrong. See how the overall slopes down on the right getting narrower? Yes, I am afraid all are constructed with bias triangles (squares cut corner to corner). What do I have to do to fix this?

Jaiade

It looks like your seam is too big on that triangle. Too much of your point is gone when you compare it to the other side.

Kcmomto2

Which triangle has the seam too big? (Looking at these units objectively now, they're really not good! Phooey.)

GingerK

I think there may be a problem with ironing instead of pressing. If you have lots of bias, they can stretch very easily. But there are ways of fixing that too. Could you show us a pic of the completed block or point us to the pattern please? That will really help us help you with advice.

In your post you say you have completed 2 blocks (correctly??) already but these portions are not coming out right?? If that is the case, can you lay these pieces over the correctly completed ones and see where the problem might be?

Kcmomto2

You're probably right, GingerK! The ironing could be the culprit. And, as far as I can tell, the two blocks I've finished look right! Mostly. I think. LOL Here's a photo of one of them. I'm using my own fabrics with In The Beginning's "Jewels of the Universe" pattern.

Kcmomto2

All eight of these units are slop-y. Do you think it is indeed my ironing? or...?

GingerK

Wow!! That's a lot of pieces and a lot of bias!! I truly think that things have just stretched a bit here and there. I have a friend who swears by finger pressing (again, not rubbing or stretching) all the pieces in a block. She doesn't iron press until the block is complete.

I would suggest to continue to put the pieces together. Any time one unit is larger than the next, match the intersections, and put the larger piece on the bottom. The feed dogs will help ease in the extra fullness. If the block still looks puffy or out of square after it is completed, you can lay it on the ironing board, measure and pin to proper size, and then spray wet it and let dry. You will be surprised at how the stretched bias edges will revert. Don't give up!!

Kcmomto2

I like your suggestion! Strangest thing is there is no sizing given for the units, only a finished size for each finished block! Just tells me what size to cut my strips/squares from each fabric, then cut each square corner to corner and sew together "as shown". I totally keep looking for what size each unit is supposed to end up as I'm working through each block, but it's not there! Do you think I should deconstruct these units completely and re-sew? I already know I need to re-cut half of the larger yellow triangles because they're just flat out too short on one side. Not sure how I did that. But there ya go. Maybe just take off the large triangles from all and "re-square" up the center triangular unit by wetting them down, etc, before sewing the large triangles back on?

GingerK

Oh yeah one of 'those' patterns. I know exactly what you mean because I just finished a block like that. If I would have read thru the whole pattern first, I know I would have constructed some the elements differently, which would have eliminated some of the bias.

There are better ways to construct the 8 HST's and 4 Flying Geese in each block. You will still need to deal with several bias edges but, hey, every one that can be eliminated is a bonus.

BTW your points on the block in your photo are exemplary!! Kudos!!

GingerK

Ooops just read your last post. No, don't deconstruct. That will just make the stretching worse. Try to work with/around the stretched out stuff. Honestly, I don't think they are terribly horrible, just a bit wonky. Again, blocking the block to size is always a simple option and often works.