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.

I have the Go die for the 3" finished triangle in a square shapes. No guess work, all the pieces matches perfectly. My blocks may be smaller but they sure look good. I haven't looked to see if there is a die for the bigger size.

I love that block. I prefer to do those star points with paper piecing, although many I know don't. When I have been in danger of cutting off points, I generally find that I have either placed pieces against each other incorrectly or made a seam allowance that is too small.

cut a quarter inch off the top of the middle triange, then line up like the second pic

I have used two rulers to make a TIS unit. The Tri-recs works great, but I also love the Deb Tucker V-block trimmer. You can see her demo video on youtube. The advantage of the Tri-recs is that it is available at Jo-Ann and you can use a coupon. If you can't pick up a specialty ruler before you need your quilt finished, there are some excellent suggestions above that should help you. I'm basically lazy and a gadget nut, so I like to let the rulers do some of the work for me. :-)

Darren

I really dislike the tri-recs ruler. Tried it for the TIS unit and none came out square. I much prefer Deb Tucker or the Eleanor Burns TIS template, which you can get at JoAnns. I get a consistent result with either of those methods.

Wow, you guys are awesome! Thank you for sharing your wisdom, and for taking the time to post diagrams. I'm going to try everything suggested. If all else fails, I'll buy the ruler at JoAnn's with my 50% off coupon.

Thanks again :thumbup:

You can also mark the seam intersections and match them up

I agree that the triangle in a square unit (Doreen Speckmann called that unit " peaky and spike") can be a bit a
Of a challenge to get right.

I am piecing that block right now and for the first time ever, my block is square and exactly the right size with no chopped off points. The secret ........ I'm using Marti Michell's Perfect Patchwork Templates, Set D number 22 and 23. The points are trimmed and her instructions were spot on. I think that this is one block that is difficult without a ruler or templates. Starching and very careful pressing helped but didn't totally solve the problem.

Could the pieces be cut a bit larger than they should be and trimmed later? So far I have managed to avoid these kinds of patterns. I guess I know my limitations.

I made a quilt like this using Eleanor Burns' ruler and her book Tennessee Waltz.

I have no other comment than WOW - you quilters are a helpful wealth of information!

Ask a question and someone has an answer!

Nan

The first clue in Bonnie Hunter's new mystery quilt is for TIS units. She has included lots of helpful information on making this block, including different techniques and videos on how to use the TriRecs rulers and how to piece the units once cut out.
this my first time using the rulers and I have enjoyed them.

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/...ry-part-1.html

I have done this with good success - takes a little bit more time but worth the effort to get the points exactly right :) Keep us posted about your progress :)

Oh, I forgot to post my pic. I'll be right back. It's not perfect but I'm going to keep it. After working on it for 2 days we have history! :o I also found a similar pattern that guarantees no points will be cut off. I'm going to try it tomorrow.

Camera not working, maybe tomorrow. :rolleyes:

http://www.connectingthreads.com/tut...Pin__D103.html and http://www.ctpubblog.com/2009/10/01/...erfect-points/

Draw the design on graft paper and use that as a test for the accuracy of both cutting and piecing. It could be either in the cutting or piecing or pressing. You must discover where the problem is. I have discovered that when sewing triangles, and in your case, diagonal seams you must do the scant quarter inch. Go back and test measure each and report back. To ask, what am I doing wrong is not enough info.

Have you watched the extra video by Missorie star company on the periwinkle star project.
The triangle on the sides she over laps to the opposite side of the centre triangle then same with otherside which when pressed open leaves a good 1/4inch from the base of centre,
Hope this helps.

I also used Eleanor burns rulers and book called the "Tennessee Waltz and those are the blocks she made. They came out great.

Have you analyzed to find out where the problem is.

My current project has those same blocks - I used the TriRecs ruler that I bought at JoAnn's. It was INVALUABLE - and very worth the money spent! And the problem is lining up the side triangles to the middle triangle. Cutting off the tip is the key. The rulers made sure that was done accurately every single time. I had to make 99 blocks and didn't lose one point! LOL!!

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