Need your help please on how to match these seams ...
 

I'm making a top that is similar to the below image. The strips are a set width - every other strip is slashed with a bit of the dark strip color.
In my example, columns a, c, e, g, and i are dark.
The others: b, d, f, h, and j are light, and have a strip of the dark in them, creating a diagonal line across the columns.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]468020[/ATTACH]

My question is how do i match the seams in column 'd' to be in sync and match the seam in column 'b' and so forth -

I have thought about laying the strips out, pinning together, laying a yard stick across and doing the double pin at the points of the horizontal lines on my light colored columns ...

Yes, I have sewn these together and taken them apart - I wasn't off 'much' and straight on - unless you were close, it wasn't too noticeable.:p However, with the top laid on a flat surface, looking at it from the side... time to rip it!

Any ideas? I'm open for what has worked for you!

Thanks.

This would be very, very hard to match up exactly. Have you thought of just making the bottom as one striped piece and appliqueing the top strips on to it?

The layout is similar to a bargellow with fracture strips.

How wide are the solid (a, c, etc) stripes?
How wide are the dark strips within the light stripes?

You could measure the "offset" and mark the strips accordingly then attach.

If it were me I would try to first use a ruler with both a straight edge and a diagonal - with the diagonal line matching the same angle as your strips (ie 30, 45) - hopefully the stripes in the striped strip set (say that fast three times) are an equal and easy to measure angle.

Once you know the angle, you can use your straight edge along the solid line of the solid strip and mark the angle with the offset of the strip width.

Not sure if that is making sense .....

Sorry, it is way over my head.

Can you cut the B, D, F strips by way of strip sets? sew the horizontal strip in the middle then cut on an angle to get the angled stripe. Then it looks like (if your grid is 1 square = 1 inch) that you would need to set the diagonal down 2 inches for each consecutive column. I am also assuming that the "finished" strips are 2", ie: cut 2 1/2". You really have me curious, I might have to go home and see if I can come up with a formula!! The other option is to lay out the fabric, lay a ruler accross the diagonal, cut, sew in a strip diagonally (be very careful of the bias) then cut the piece into strips. I am thinking that you might use every other one to make up for the solid strip that you will sew in between, but maybe the seam allowance will adjust for this. Hummmmmmmmmmmm!! And it gets curiouser and curiouser!! LOL I hope you get it worked out!! Someone else on here MUST be more helpful than I. :confused:

If I was going to try to recreate that look I would first try this: sew the diagonal strips to the white pieces to make one solid piece. Then I would use a long ruler and cut that large piece in vertical strips and sew the dark color strips between them like sashing. This way your vertical lines should match up because they were sewn together first. Hope this makes sense.

Do you have an angle in mind for the diagonal, such at 30degrees? The math is much easier with some angles than with others. For example, if the angle is 30degrees then you go over 2 inches for every 1 inch you go down.

Yes, this is my idea too and I too thnk this will work easier than trying to piece small pieces between the long ones.....do a small sample and see if that works....

I would make the strips with the angled fabrics longer and adjust them as you lay them out. pin,pin,pin. Great idea!!

Ok, picture this: rows are numbered A -B- C ECT. colors are numbered 1- 2- 3 ect.
row 1 is 1A-1B-1C ans so forth see ex:http://www.clothworks.com/pattern_download.asp?ID=221
and use masking tape on each piece to mark.<o:p></o:p>

How about making HSR's - kinda. That is break the design down into rectangles. Some will be the plain colors and some will be combined so that 1/2 is one color and 1/2 is another.

Take 2 rectangles same size, right sides together, mark a diagonal, sew 1/4" each side, cut, and press. You may want to play around with size on scrap fabric first to see what size you want the rectangles. You could use the graph paper to figure it out too.

This would be how I would try it too.

Mark 1/4" down on both seams all way along. Now find a pin and puch it through exactly on the seam, ie the thread. Take the pin and push through other fabric exactly where the seam thread is marked.
I did find it easier with seams open on the lone star.
Hope this helps.

Have you tried the technique used in Paper Piecing? By drawing precise lines, you will know exactly where to place your Dark Diagonal pieces of cloth against the light vertical rows. You could first secure all your vertical stripes with a basting stitch so they won't move. Then, carefully draw your lines using a yardstick, then place your dark pieces in place. Snip the basting stitches where needed. Then, re-stitch all the vertical seams. Good luck, do give us a photo of your finished work! I'm subscribing to your thread, because I am interested in your results.

DogHouseMom is correct. I have done many bargello. First, I took drafting and your angle is not consistent in your drawing. What is your angle?? On row B there are 8 lengths then in Row D it is 5.5 but there was only 2 with your width between the blocks. I would keep it simple. Use a 45 degree angle. I would cut your strips and then I would snowball the corners. Then you are working with straight of grain. Then connect the strips together to form your design. Sew them into a tube. Cut your first one measuring 8.25" Include the side seam allowance) from the left side. Make the next one the finished width and use that as your mark. Don't forget your seam allowance. Once you got your measurement, everything should go correctly. Hope this helps. Good Luck !!

I made a quilt similar to that and it was a disaster. Never again. Must say that I am geometry challenged...and it showed.

I started quilting with Seminole piecing. Your problem reminded me of that approach to strip piecing. Hope my idea helps.

There are lots of approaches to solutions. The Seminole piecing books had solutions that made sense to a neophyte quilter/experienced garment maker. And were easy at the same time. See what you think. May ring a bell or two for you too. I hope so.

Just checked my library of books. The two that seem to be the most help are:

SIMPLY SEMINOLE Techniques and Designs in Quilt Making
Dorothy Hanisko
The Quilt Digest Press
Lincolnwood, IL
Copyright 1997


THE COMPLETE BOOK OF SEMINOLE PATCHWORK
by Beverly Rush with Lassie Wittman
Dover Publications, Inc.
New York
Copyright 1982

I suggest you start by looking at SIMPLY SEMINOLE. I found Section Two, The Catalog of Seminole Designs to be particularly helpful and CLEAR. Check out the STAIRSTEP BANDS part of the catalog.

Pictures of the finished project so we can ooooh and aaaaah?

Pat

The suggestion of paper piecing it is a great one. Also, a geometry approach of having all of the angles the same is a good idea because once you get it done correctly it will always work. Another help might to be to use just a touch of a glue stick to the pieces until you get them just right. Then turn back the seam allowance and sew. If you use a light touch with the glue stick little problems just pop loose easily.

Thanks for all the different ideas everyone! As noted, the above sketch is "similar" to what I am working on. I don't have any of the measurements or angles with me at work - Sorry! I do have the column seams apart and am going to try a couple of the suggestions this weekend and see what my options are then! Thanks again for all the input.

If you cut digo ALS at 45* you are joining as in a lone star. No problem.

I would iron the pieces, then lay them out and take a ruler, line up my edges, and use a marker to mark where I need to sew.

Oh man, if I was close to you, I could show you an easy way to put these strips together & they would be all lined up perfect. I just can't explain how to do it & make you understand what I am trying to say. It really is easy once you figure it out.

Said the lady with the amazing avatar.:)

I am of no help and it looks like you've got a lot.