Speed piecing rules needed
 

I really like the patterns from Quilters Cache, but the directions are for a single block. I want to speed piece hs and qs triangles when I make multiple blocks. I know there has to be a rule somewhere on how much to add when you are sewing a 1/4" line on either side of the diagonal, but all I can find is the standard rules (+7/8" for hst, and +1-1/4" for qst). Help, anybody?

I wish this site had the ability to search on an "exact term" as I imagine the info is here somewhere. But all the search will do is separate terms and I get too many hits.

Not sure I understand your question??? When I do HST's, I add 1" to the desired finished size. For QST's, I'd probably do 1.5". As to 'rules' for speed piecing???? Just cut as many of the fabric pieces as you need, line/stack everything up and keep feeding into your machine...thus 'chain' piecing. When done with all of those, clip the threads between each pieced block and do your pressing or whatever in the same fashion. Match up your next set of seams and follow the same process.

Also, I believe, if use the 'advanced search' function at the top of the screen you can do a search on 'exact term'.

Good luck.

Eleanor Burns of Quilt In A Day does this method a lot. even sells preprinted foundations for them I think. also sold as Thangles elsewhere.

Is this what you are talking about?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...y-t226170.html
Scroll down....

Jan in VA

Chain sewing (or stitching) is feeding fabric squares through one after another as you describe. The dimensions you give is to work one square at a time -- I want to speed piece where you mark the squares and basically sew a zig zag line, then cut apart. Adding 7/8" (or in your case 1") doesn't work -- that is only if you are working with one square at a time. And, no, the advanced search doesn't allow exact term. I wish it did.

I don't know if this image will show up very well as I hand drew it. This is working with width of fabric. There has a be a rule as to how wide to make the strip to get a certain size hst.

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Put your keywords within quotation marks and they will not be separated. You can also combine keywords with operators (AND, OR, etc). They are called Boolean Searches.

Thank you. I was hoping to find the measurements for working with strips instead of large squares. I guess since no one knows what I'm talking about I'll practice on scrap fabric and make a chart of the inches to add. Can't believe no one has actually done this way before.

I know what you're talking about, I just haven't done it so here are my thoughts, whether you want them or not. :o

With Thangles, the sewn line goes to the corner on one side and ½" short of the corner on the other (not the cutting line as you have it drawn). The lines are not sewn zig-zag with Thangles, but it might work your way. The measurements they use are to add a ½" to the finished measurement you want. IOW, a 2½" strip will give you 2" HSTs. It might be worth a try...

This may help you see it more clearly than I described...
http://www.sews.com/quilting/thangles/thangles.html

My personal guess would be that it would not save any time because you will lose both time and accuracy on the pivot points, but that's just my personal guess. I do know people say Thangles don't really save any time.

Maybe this is what you are looking for. A simple google search brought this.
http://www.quilt.com/HowTo/SpeedPiecingDirections.html