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.

YOu know just looking at it in the pics it looks good to me. Maybe you are being a bit picky or particular, in a good way of course. I like it.

PaperPrincess, I did not notice that! I do see what you mean. Thank you so much! (Fortunately, I should have enough fabric to re-cut the first column.)

Thanks, everyone, for your input. You ladies are the best!

You don't have to recut the whole column, just take it apart :o, cut the first wedge in half, then re-sew. You might have to play with the placement of the pieces so they line up. I'm guessing that the edges will not line up and you will need to trim the strip when all the pieces are joined.

I'd rather re-cut than pick out all those stitches! (And then I'll be starting with fresh triangles rather than possibly stretched/distorted edges.)

I would like to add that on the left side panel, the bottom three triangles are assembled differently the the rest. Rather than forming a rectangle two form a new triangle and the third piece is added to make the rectangle. I think this adds to the haphazard look. I really like your choice of colors and look forward to seeing the finished project.

I noticed in the photo of the quilt kit that the ends were not always alternated. Instead of having a fat end to a narrow end each time, there was a fat end to a fat end and a narrow to a narrow. This would make the pieces slant and have motion.. Otherwise you would get rectangles with each pair.

Love your colors. Try sewing in the opposite direction each piece. If not it won't be right.

In the photo of the kit...notice also that each rectangle set leans in towards the center. I'd swear that those rectangles are not particularly consistent sizes, either. It feels like some of the narrow ends are narrower some places than others by a slight amount...not a lot but enough to skew things slightly.

I wanted to update everyone who so kindly helped me with my triangles.

I resewed the first column, finger pressing each triangle center and sewing the opposite way on each seam. I ended up with the same slant problem, but this time it was immediately clear to me what I was meant to do -- tilt the slant back to vertical and even off the top and bottom! I'm sure if I'd posted a picture of the slanting column the first time, someone would have understood what to do. The lesson for me is, a little patience can save a lot of work. I think if I had just walked away the first time and slept on it, rather than impulsively cutting, I probably would have seen the solution.

I have laid the applique pieces on the surface just to give the general idea. I must set this aside for awhile now as I have a couple of other hand sewing projects ahead of it. It occurred to me that the trunk was a perfect opportunity to try out the Ruth B. McDowell piecing method in a limited area, so I pieced the trunk, making it a little wider. I also changed the bird positions so as to get my birds in the lightest areas possible, so they would show up.

Thanks for the update and so glad you figured it out! Looks really great.

I would probably sew on paper as a foundation. That would help keep the bias from stretching. If you don't want to rip the paper off, you could use muslin instead.

That's the secret....1/4" dog ears.....