Pinwheels
 

I hope this will make sense. I was wondering which method you use to cut and or make your pinwheels. Do you sew down the center diagonally then cut? Do you use the method Jenny at Missouri Star Quilt Company uses? Need to know which is easiest and most accurate. I have watches so many you-tube videos my head is swimming and still not sure which way to go. I'm leaning toward Jenny's method. I'm a newer quilter and need ALL the help I can get. Anyone out there that wants to chime in and help me, I sure would appreciate it. Thanks in advance for all the great advice I know I will get. Vondae

I mark the diagonal on a square and sew a scant quarter on each side. I wouldn't use any method that leaves bias on the outside edge of your half square triangle. (HST) I made one quilt the HST ended with bias edges and while it wasn't that big of a problem to put it together it turned into a real problem when it was quilted.

I have always done the diagonal method. It probably takes a bit longer because of marking the diagonal on the blocks but it works for me. My concern about the MSQC method is the number of bias edges you have after you cut the square. I haven't tried it so I really don't know if is an issue

I think the only way to know is to try different methods and see which one you
like best. Personally I prefer to avoid bias edges wherever I can. Here's one
method I like.
http://www.connectingthreads.com/tut..._HSTs__D4.html

same here.

I used the MSQC also and had a terrible time getting it right as my bias edges stretched out of shape.

I have used both methods. As long as you starch your squares, you can use Jenny's method and not have a problem with bias edges. The starch stabilizes the edges. It is a great deal quicker than drawing lines and sewing on each side of it. I didn't go look it up, but I'm assuming Jenny's method is sewing around the outside edges of 2 blocks that have been placed with right sides together, then the square is cut diagonally twice, giving you 4 HST blocks. This is definitely my preferred way. Might be worth trying it. Also, as you sew HST blocks together, do not pull or stretch the edges as you sew. Let the sewing machine feed the fabric while you guide.

I love making HSTs since I bought the Triangulations software. It seems to me to be the easiest way to get accurate HSTs every time without having to square them up. Not crazy about having to take off the paper, but it's the kind of thing you can do while watching TV.

Next time I make pinwheels, they are going to be 3D. This is the tute:


http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...ls-t57715.html

I just finished making a purple pinwheel quilt for my grand daughter. I used Jenny's technique and it worked out well. However, my one piece of advice to you would be to square each block up as you go....let's just say, I learned the hard way!