Still cutting off star points, HELP!
 

I'm soooo proud of myself. I've finally concurred the 1/4" seam and completed about 5 blocks that measure 12.5" without 'tugging'. Now I'm working on a pointed star block. No matter what I do, I'm going to lose my points when I sew my blocks together. What am I doing wrong, or what should I try? Sorry, but I don't know how to post a link to the pattern. It's called Fifty Four Forty on Quilterscache.com.

Thanks.

here's the link for you http://www.quilterscache.com/F/Fifty...ightBlock.html

are you talking about the points [light color] near the center or the outside points [red] of your finished block?

How are you making that 'triangle in a square' patch? That is a very tricky one. I have only been successful using the tri recs ruler or paper piecing it.

Outside points (red).

I used the template provided. No special ruler.

I agree with PaperPrincess, I've only been able to do that one paper piecing. I think the biases pull too much and I can never get those odd triangles even with the 1/4" seam allowance on the outside of the block. If you have EQ7 or Blockbase, you can print the foundation/paper piecing pattern and save yourself some anxiety. Good luck--hope someone has other suggestions you can try.

Tri rec ruler, paper piecing, EQ7, Blockbase!! Boy, am I in trouble. It took me 3 years to master the 1/4" seam. Maybe I should pass on this one. :eek:

Thanks for posting the link QuiltnNan :thumbup:

There's a good chance you may be lining the triangles up incorrectly. I also use the Tri-Recs ruler when piecing the Triangle-Square block, as it allows for more precise placement. I'm attaching a couple of photos of what it looks like when I line up the first piece, and how it should look when it's pressed open. Notice that the seam does NOT go right through the point, but is 1/4" away. Then when you sew the Triangle-Square block to the Four-Patch unit, the point will have that 1/4" breathing room that you need for the seam allowance. Hope this helps!

Andi

What she said!!!!!! (meaning AndiR). The ruler is available at Joann's and with a coupon proves to be a good investment for this type of block.