Having trouble with long, 9-degree triangles
 

I am working on this free download pattern, which doesn't seem to be available for download anymore, but I found this picture of the quilt offered as a kit:

http://www.craftycornerquiltandsewingshoppe.com/shop/Kits---Name-of-quilt-opens-for-more-information/p/Two-Bluebirds-Quilt-Kit-x4118198.htm

The triangles are sewn together in alternating directions to make the two columns. I pinned the straight edges of the triangle pairs together, matching the ends as I would normally do when sewing two pieces of fabric together. As I sewed the pairs of triangles together into larger groups, I noticed that the column was slanting. I wondered how I could sew the straight piece of fabric representing the trunk, to this slanting column. I decided to trim the edges of the first column to get a straight edge (even though the quilt measurements given indicated they hadn't trimmed theirs).

The result of the trimming was that the triangles no longer looked like the photo of the quilt. In the photo, the triangles are skewed, which gives movement and interest. What I ended up with was each pair of triangles forming a rectangle with the bottom edge on the true horizontal. It looks flat and static this way.

Can anyone explain why the column is slanting, and if I should somehow be sewing the triangles together differently to avoid this?

Below is a photo of the first, sewn and trimmed column, and below that is a photo of the two columns before sewing (where the triangles do look skewed, as in the quilt photo). Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo of the first column slanting.

Are you sewing in opposite directions each time? If you sew all your strips in the same direction it can skew your column?

I have not been sewing in opposite directions each time! I will try that with the second column. Thanks!

Tartan, there is a tiny little dog ear hanging over on each end when I match the triangles.

Love the selection of fabrics you are working with. I try to avoid sewing on a bias edge unless I have starched it almost to death! :)

When I have long triangles to sew together, I fold them in half to find the center of the sides that will be sewn together. I make a "finger crease" and match up the creases and sew. I'd also probably starch them (altho most times I'm too lazy). Be really careful when pressing because they'll stretch easily.

Do not press until you are done and press with a lift and set down motion, not glide, starch the heck out of it, cut precise and sew precise. The 1/4 ins seam has to be just that or it will slant. I think it is the 1/4 seam that is giving you the trouble.

I wonder if you are trying to be "too exact"? Looking at your target quilt, it seems to me the triangles are not all exactly the same---perhaps wedge shaped strips sewn on in a more free-form method??

Thank you all for your insights and suggestions! I will try finger-pressing the centers.

Jeanne S, the pattern does call for cutting the triangles using the 9 degree wedge or triangle ruler, and then sewing them together. I agree, though, that whatever method they used ended up looking nicely haphazard.

If you look closely at the pic of the original quilt, it looks like the first (top) wedge is cut in half lengthwise, with the cut edge forming the top of the strip, and becoming its horizontal reference. As the rest of the wedges are sewn to this, they skew a bit so that if you drew a line down the long center of each of the wedges, they would be exactly horizontal (parallel to the top edge). If you don't cut the first wedge in half, you wind up making rectangles with the 2 wedges because of the complimentary angles.
If this is not clear, let me know and I can draw a picture.
The other thing is you have laid your colors out in a much more harmonious grouping, so the movement is more subtle.