maviskw

Pinwheels were the first thing I learned when I began learning about quilting in earnest.

I figured out that some of that bulk in the center can be trimmed out as you go. When you've made the first HST's, trim out the dog ears and maybe a little more, Then when you make the second seam, sewing two HST's together, there is already less bulk in the center.
When I sew the last seam, I match up the seam lines from each HST and nest those seam allowances. If you pin that on both sides of the seam, they will hold. Then I start sewing from one end. When I'm about half way to the center, I take out the pins and take a little peak under to see if the diagonal seams from the HST's are nesting. The pieces can be moved a smidgeon at this point so that they are perfect. Then continue sewing, making sure the needle goes in right at the spot where the seams lines cross. If the seam allowance is covering that seam crossing, you can put a pin in to show you where it is. When it is finished, it's best to open that last seam to further reduce bulk.

I have enjoyed making pinwheels this way, and have made the Disappearing Pinwheel also. (Actually it is a Diminished Pinwheel, as it doesn't go away, it just gets smaller. LOL)

onaemtnest

I too have been using Elmer's glue to match seams for some time now, on all my piecing and now I rarely have to take pieces apart to align the seams. I'm absolutely crazy when seams don't match. But always remember this quote, when using Elmer's glue ~ A DOT IS A LOT! Ask me how I know :0)

I also use the Elmer's glue stick like other's have mentioned.

stillvnu

Thanks for sharing ... I'm going to have to try the glue method! I usually baste the center seam (like 2") to make sure the seam matches then sew the whole seam. That way if it doesn't match I only have to unpick a couple inches.

mjhaess

Careful cutting, pressing, and sewing....

misseva

Elmers R my bestest quilting friend.

Alondra

Here's more than enough help to keep you busy for a while. <G> I hope these links are live, but if not, just copy and paste to your browser. I copied them from the actual site, so they are complete as written.

The last few are about using a grid, which may be your answer. You don't need to buy expensive gadgets or templates - it's so easy to make your own grid. Have fun!

From Jenny Doan at Missouri Star Quilt Company: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5_Y5aanFwM

From Quilt in a Day (Eleanor Burns): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekYpJzHoW6E

Pt. 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A3sIre7cg0

Pt. 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A3sIre7cg0

From Kay Wood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkhI87BtR-M

From Nancy Ziemann: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIN4IOKGvEo

From Penny Halgren: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpP7qMt-2AI (caveat: she's selling a ruler here)

From Janet Wickell at about.com: http://quilting.about.com/od/quickpi...uaretria_2.htm

http://quilting.about.com/od/quickpi...squaretria.htm

http://quilting.about.com/od/quickpi..._squares_2.htm

http://quilting.about.com/od/piecing...riangles_3.htm

http://quilting.about.com/od/piecing..._triangles.htm

http://quilting.about.com/od/rotaryc...g_shapes_2.htm

Quarter square triangles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKYhj76t-ho

Quilting 101: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU9glgof_ec

QSTs from charm pack squares: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZf4Zh7ZZJA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1E3YkVxRSA

Making HSTs on a grid: http://quiltsbyjen.ca/how-to-make-ha...s-with-a-grid/

Melanie: http://quiltsbyjen.ca/how-to-make-ha...s-with-a-grid/

Pt. 1: http://melaniedramatic.com/half-squa...angles-part-1/

Pt. 2: http://melaniedramatic.com/half-squa...angles-part-2/

Pt 3: http://melaniedramatic.com/half-squa...angles-part-3/

Pt. 4: http://melaniedramatic.com/half-squa...angles-part-4/

Pt 5: http://melaniedramatic.com/half-squa...angles-part-5/

Free grid forms available online (there are many other sources besides these):

http://www.quiltingandwhatnot.ca/Hal...-Triangle.html

http://www.blockcentral.com/a-halfsq...glepaper.shtml

snowdenb

I have the best luck with Missouri quilt company tutorial.

Anne P

My pinwheel making isn't hard, but it can be time consuming! It starts with careful cutting of the fabric, adding that extra 8th inch to start: If I'm wanting 4" finished sizes, I add the 7/8" plus the 1/8" and cut a 5" square. I sew a scant 1/4 from the diagonal center line. Press well. Sew two together, twice. Now - I pin that middle seam very carefully at the center, where all four come together. I first pin it horizontally along the seam line, checking the front to be sure the points match. Then I pin vertically close to the center and draw a short horizontal line, which is the sewing line. I slow my sewing speed when I approach the center seam so that I can carefully remove that first pin just as I get to it and I can sew along the line I drew. I prefer pinning because I can remove them if I need to adjust.

It takes practice, but it can be done! Hang in there!

Anne P in Seattle

I don't need to do the line, or even some of the pinning now because I've gotten better, well except when I'm tired or am trying to hurry!

gramquilter2

If you like pinwheels, the MSQC has an easy pattern for a disappearing pinwheel. Not sure if you are making the pinwheels for something else but this one is easy and fun you end up with a 12" block.
Ricky Tims also has a very easy way to make HST's to use for pinwheels.

Mariah

I was making HST's for a quilt and thought the method showing was not what I wanted; I could just cut corner to corner. Well I found out that to do like the pattern really was the best way; it is shown in the "Road to California" pattern in quilter's cache; cut the length given, then stitch as shown in that pattern.
Far be it from me to know what is different about the cutting corner-corner and the method shown, but the latter works much the best. All I could figure out was that there is a fraction of an inch lost cutting corner-corner. So now I won't be improving on some method shown in the pattern!!! Mariah.