Quilt Pattern-On point
 

HELP!!! I am hoping ya'll can help me find a simple quilt pattern. I want to use 5 inch squares (charm packs) and set them on point. No sashing in between. I know most of you wouldn't need a pattern but, I don't know what size blocks to cut to make the HST's for the edges, etc. I would appreciate any help ya'll can give me. I know this doesn't make a lot of sense, but, hope someone can decipher what I'm trying to say. I can see it in my mind just don't know how to exacute it. I'm new to this quilting, and the only thing that get's me by is asking ya'll questions and using patterns with step by step instructions. I don't think I would ever get a quilt done if it weren't for ya'll. Ya'll are just super to share your knowledge. So glad I stumbled on the QB one day. Thanks so much. I learn so much from ya'll. Everyone has been super. I feel we are family. Except no one makes me feel stupid when I ask silly or simple questions. Thanks Again.

I am so new to quilting that I don't even know what HST means! But I am going to watch thread because that is how I learn.

If you are setting 5" charm squares on point, your finished squares will be 4.5". The side triangles are quarter square triangles. Start with a 7 5/8 square and cut each twice diagonally to create four quarter square triangles from each square. The corner triangles are half squares. Cut two 4 1/8 squares. Cut each once diagonally to make your four corner squares.Here's a good resource for how to cut these triangles, including a chart. From Bonnie Hunterhttp://www.stcroixquilters.com/setting%20triangles.htm

HST = Half square triangle
QST = Quarter square triangle

The link to Bonnie's page: http://www.stcroixquilters.com/setting%20triangles.htm

Here's another site that gives you the actual formula for both setting (aka side) triangles and corner triangles.

http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltse...ngtriangls.htm

Or you could skip all the thinking (my favorite way to do things) and piece the whole thing and then just trim away to make each side straight, leaving a 1/4 inch space above the points for when you turn over the binding so you don't cut off the points. I try not to think too hard when I quilt LOL.

Lots of good suggestions here. I usually follow a pattern and do what it says. Nice to have help for the ones I make up. Thanks.

Thank You one and all for your help once again. You have saved my_______ ahhh, quilt!!! I don't think I will ever have an ounce of the quilting knowledge ya'll have. I just keep stumbling through with all the great help on this board. Wish I could give each of you a big hug for all you do to help me. But, you will just have to believe I'm sending one to one and all. Big squeezes coming your way. Vonda

PS: If anyone else has some advice or suggestions, I will be back to check on it again. Never can have to much help. V.

This is how I do it too...

ditto ... it may seem that you are wasting a bit of the fabric, but it does save the possibility of cutting those setting triangles too small.

And critical ... to be sure that when you are doing the trimmings to allow that 1/4" above the points, as HopeTQ has explained.

When doing setting triangles, I usually oversize them ... and then do the same trimming.

Both ways, you are sure to get a really nice straight edge for your outside .... whether you are adding borders or not.

As for stumbling along ... that's how many of us have learned the how to's! Take some chances, stretch yourself beyond the comfort zone ... and you'll continue to advance in your own skills!

So easy! Try this..... avoid bias edges on the outside edges of your quilt using this method.

Jan in VA

Thanks Jan for sharing your instructions. They are clear and easy to understand. I'm going to tackle my first quilt on point using your info.

I've been quilting since 1992 and really seriously (every day) for the last three years and I have to tell you that I've never made a quilt without a pattern either. I've made over 30 quilts and every one of them was with a pattern. You are not alone.