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Honey58 01-24-2022 03:32 PM

Back to Sewing
 
2 Attachment(s)
I found my interest in quilting on a visit to the US....that's when I found and joined this group. It's been a long lull since then. Went back to work and life took over. Now I am back in Canada, and my interest has sparked again.
Enthusiastically made this Table runner....and I am truly humbled by the amount of work that goes into piecing!
I ironed, measured, cut, sewed, squared Yet I can see imperfections.
I have lost some of the Star leg points. though I did have scant 1/4th" margins.

What should I do to avoid losing the points in future?
Also , This is the 1st time I have used batting. Q. Do I have to use another sewing Foot when stitching through Batting or is the regular foot good enough?
Would be grateful for any advice or suggestions.

Quiltwoman44 01-24-2022 03:58 PM

Welcome to the forum. Your work is very sharp and detailed and beautiful. Don't fret over it but enjoy your own work. You did very well. points will come in time. If you have been careful with your measurements and cutting and 1/4 inch seams, things will begin to fall in place with practice. So far, so good.

RedGarnet222 01-24-2022 04:32 PM

Pay attention to the direction you are pressing the star points. Yes it does make a difference which way the seams are pressed. Usually, the pattern will show little arrows to press in in that direction. Make sure you press, not scrub iron while pressing. That can distort the seam because it is on the diagonal it is bias. Bias is very easy to press out of shape. You see?

Tartan 01-24-2022 05:51 PM

Lovely runner! Cut and sew as accurately as you can and you will get better the more time you invest in quilting. In the meantime, enjoy the process . You can quilt using your regular foot but a walking foot does make it easier. If you are stitching in the ditch on your runner, lengthen the stitch length a bit and quilt from the middle out. Starting to quilt in the centre and working to the edge helps to move any extra fabric out to the edge so you don’t get wrinkles in the back.

Honey58 01-24-2022 07:25 PM


Originally Posted by RedGarnet222 (Post 8533220)
Pay attention to the direction you are pressing the star points. Yes it does make a difference which way the seams are pressed. Usually, the pattern will show little arrows to press in in that direction. Make sure you press, not scrub iron while pressing. That can distort the seam because it is on the diagonal it is bias. Bias is very easy to press out of shape. You see?

That's helpful. Thank you. Will keep it in mind and will be careful when ironing

Honey58 01-24-2022 07:32 PM


Originally Posted by Tartan (Post 8533225)
Lovely runner! Cut and sew as accurately as you can and you will get better the more time you invest in quilting. In the meantime, enjoy the process . You can quilt using your regular foot but a walking foot does make it easier. If you are stitching in the ditch on your runner, lengthen the stitch length a bit and quilt from the middle out. Starting to quilt in the centre and working to the edge helps to move any extra fabric out to the edge so you don’t get wrinkles in the back.

Thank you. will see some tutorials to get familiar and understand the "walking foot" I have read about. So much to learn !
It's quite exciting for me .

Honey58 01-24-2022 07:35 PM


Originally Posted by Quiltwoman44 (Post 8533209)
Welcome to the forum. Your work is very sharp and detailed and beautiful. Don't fret over it but enjoy your own work. You did very well. points will come in time. If you have been careful with your measurements and cutting and 1/4 inch seams, things will begin to fall in place with practice. So far, so good.

Thank you; will persevere with the star point.

petthefabric 01-24-2022 10:43 PM

That's a great execution for a short time quilter. My quilting group meets together to sew and we help each other on learning.

Gay 01-25-2022 02:57 AM

Love your table runner. Just a thought, but could your scant seams be too scant? Perhaps if you made them the full 1/4" you would have enough room on the ends of the star points so they will not be cut off.

Gannyrosie 01-25-2022 03:14 AM

Starch is your friend, especially when sewing cross grain. I buy regular corn starch, make my own. This will help stiffen your fabric and you'll see much straighter blocks. As others stated, ac walking foot, to me, is a must when machine quilting.

jmoore 01-25-2022 03:23 AM

I think you did a fabulous job with your runner given the time you seem to have behind the needle. In addition to a walking foot, I sometimes have to adjust my presser foot (if your machine allows) when quilting layers with batting.

cjsews 01-25-2022 06:08 AM

This is so pretty. I usually oversized my HST and then trim them down to size. The trick is to make sure your seams come exactly centered in the corners. Place the 45 degree mark of the ruler on the seam when trimming. It all takes time and practice. I have lost many points at the beginning. Sad to say I still do 🙁

juliasb 01-25-2022 09:47 AM

first of all your table runner is beautiful. The only one that will see the imperfections is you. A walking foot may help you out when quilting your projects. When I was first learning to match a point to another piece so I didn't lose the point I depended on a straight pin to tell me were to stitch.
So many here are giving you great advise. Just keep doing what you are doing and with practice will come that perfection you are looking for.
P.S. I have been quilting for 30+ years now and have never made a perfect quilt. The Joy of Quilting is what it is all about.

LAF2019 01-25-2022 01:48 PM

I think your star points are just fine for where you are at in sewing! Even long time quilters still lose points every so often. The advice above is really good, I would also suggest that you "square up" your blocks in between steps. So, after you have made your half square triangle or flying geese, remeasure the unit and trim off anything that got wonky during the sewing and ironing process. this is also a good time to double check that you have a 1/4 inch available at the end of your points to put into the next seam allowance. This will help your seam lines look straighter and crisper when you put the units together into a block.
Great work! I think I had been quilting for about 3 years before I was confident enough to tackle anything that wasn't made up of squares! Keep going, you are on the right path.

SusieQOH 01-26-2022 05:45 AM

Honey58- your runner is beautiful!
I've been making quilts a long time and still lose points on occasion.

Maureen NJ 01-27-2022 08:50 AM

Your taberunner looks great to me. Keep at it. I agree with the others regarding using lots of starch before cutting and being careful with pressing so you don’t distort the fabric. I am in love with the oversizing method and Deb Tucker rulers and Bloc Loc rulers. Both make for perfect HSTs and they both have YouTube videos. I have sewn for 50+ years and did not think I needed a 1/4” sewing guide but I have found it invaluble. Good luck. I love piecing and quilting and have learned so much here.

Terry in the ADK 01-27-2022 03:02 PM

This may go without saying but I see on the side where I can see the point whenever possible.Then I can “ guide the seam “ just off the point a bit.sometimes just that little bit makes all the difference.
That said, points can be over-rated IMHO

goldsberry921 01-27-2022 04:11 PM

Welcome back to the craft of sewing! The table runner looks great!!!

Honey58 01-28-2022 08:43 PM

Back to sewing
 
Thank you for the responses with such good advice. I have taken note of all the tips and suggestions received- using corn starch, squaring up the flying geese /blocks / chkg on the scant or full 1/4 " margins / using the 45 degree mark on the ruler( noticed that only after I read it ).
I have lots to work on .. to read up on "walking foot" and where to get it.
and of course -to keep my promise to myself that my next project will be made up of only SQUARES !!!


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