Any suggestions ----- I have tried everything and they still come out lopsided. Please help a newbie! :shock:

Beth Ferrier has lots of wonderful tips and short cut ways to do things. she was on Simply Quilts and shared a lot of her short cuts. Here's the site. I hope this helps.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_quilting_instructions/article/0,1789,HGTV_3302_3994572,00.html

I know what you mean about those pesky triangles! They're difficult enough when they're the only shape you're using. When it's time to add one to a corner - Oy!!! I have yet to make a star quilt on which every point matches.

Paper Piecing is one way to go. IF you manage to stay exactly on the lines and IF you keep every seem allowance the same as all the others, it'll come out either perfectly or close enough that disjointed points only show themselves on close inspection.

If I'm adding triangles to a corner (e.g. snowball or flying geese blocks) I start with patches cut slightly larger than they "need" to be. I don't stitch exactly on the diagonal line. I stitch at least a 16th of an inch inside (toward the corner of the block underneath). Then I fold it back to match the block and press to make it line up with the square or rectangle. If you're going to trim away the extra layers, don't do it until it's time to put the block together. Make sure everything lines up, re-pressing here and there if necessary. Once it all lines up, it's less dangerous to trim.

You can also press the square into a triangle, lay it on top of the patch underneath and hand or machine baste into place. If you don't trim away the extra layers underneath, you're left with what can be some interesting added dimension once it all goes together and remove the basting.

Or, using the same basic method, machine topstitch to both keep the triangle in place and embellish to the block and top.

If I'm feeling especially OCD about a project, I even pin or baste before machine stitching the patches together for the block; then repeat when putting the blocks together for rows; and baste the rows, etc.

Keep checking this thread. I'll bet you get several suggestions from quilters who get more success than I do with triangles.

I'm sure there are many other methods that work as well or better and which - with practice - make the whole process faster, but these work for me. I just have to live without the instant gratification of a top that goes together in a day or two.

I can quilt quickly or precisely. Haven't yet mastered the art of doing both at the same time. (And I've been sewing since I was 5 years old. It's easier to match plaids in a suit than it is to get those durned points to come together! LOL) I stand in awe of those who can do it without a slide rule and super glue.

OK, Patrice, clue me in what is OCD?
kathy

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

A world in which there's no such thing as "perfect". On bad days, there isn't even any such thing as "close enough".

Makes me wonder sometimes what on earth I was thinking when I took up quilting. LOL

:shock:

LOL

That is why we choose to call it creating an original work. Then it is part of the design instead of a mistake. Otherwise, a lot more of us would have to admit to being OCD. :wink:

Norah, I bow to your superior reasoning.

:mrgreen:

Do you mean half square triangles? I make mine too big then square them up, individually.

I absolutely agree that that is the way to go! If they call for 7/8" I make it a whole inch! Before I learned to do this I made my sister a quilt of stars. I ironed those little stars into submission! Lots of steam was used! Blocking? I learned my lesson though! Cut large and trim!

I also make half-square triangles 1 inch larger and trim to size.

e.g. If I want 3" finished half-square triangles I cut a square of fabric 8" X 8" from two fabrics. On the lighter fabric I draw the diagonals from corner to corner and across midway on the sides. Sew 1/4" seam on both sides of the diagonals; cut on the diagonals and across. This gives you 8 slightly larger half-square triangle blocks. Trim each to 3 1/2" square.

Judy

Judy, that sounds like the way to go. I know Eleanor Burns has several patterns where she starts with smaller fabric sizes like that (9 patch, for example). It makes it easier to keep wayward fabric under control and squaring it up is much simpler.

I sent a post on half square triangles. Did you receive it at your personal address? I thought I sent it to the forum.
June

I've been watching this thread with great interest since - as I've already confessed - triangles and points are my biggest challenge.

I wonder ... might it not work better to draw the diagonal lines on the back of the "under-patch", then attach a slightly oversized square, and sew along the line on the back the same way you would if paper piecing? Seems to me it would be more likely the triange ends up in the right place and folds back to guarantee it could be trimmed to fit and line up properly.

Has anybody tried it that way? Does it work?

Question!! When you sew a larger triangle in, and cut it down to size, how do you make sure your block comes out the right size? I seem to let the pieces spread a little, or get a little longer or shorter anyway, and the only way I know I am way far off is if a triangle does not fit in the way it is supposed to. How do you maintain the right scale? :?:

I have a square ruller with the diagonal marked. I line the diagonal up with the hypotenuse of the triangle and cut top and right side. I turn the triangle around and line the edges up with the measurements and cut the remaining top and right side.

Judy

HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES....
this is an easier way. I am searching for a pattern on line that will give you the instructions. Writing it out is complicated. I will try.

AS an example....Eleanor Burns (in some of books) has suggested this:

Cut 2 squares 3 1/2" (best cut from 2 strips laid face to face and cut 3 1/2" wide.)

Using a pen and ruler, MARK lines which will be used as cutting lines. MARK this way. draw a + that will divide the block into 4 smaller squares.

Draw lines from the top of the + to the side, to the bottom and up to the top again. Be certain to measure the exact center of the top, bottom and sides for accuracy. This is NOT an X. You will have a square set on point, within the block. This will create a triangle in each of the squares you have marked earlier.

Sew 1/4" on either side of these last lines. Check so you can see that you are sewing a diagonal seam through each of the squares of that 4 (square) block. SEW ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DRAWN LINES. That will be 8 short seams.

NOW. get your rotary cutter and cut on the lines DRAWN WITH THE PEN. You should have 8 pieces when cut. Each one will be pressed E Burns always squared her blocks. Results: 8 triangle blocks that are 2 colors.

I like to make one light and one dark. You can use any combination you choose.

For a Pinwheel quilt I make these blocks starting with an 8" square.

Make one sample block and I think you will get the hang of it and be able to figure out your pattern and incorporate this idea.

I am sorry I could not find an example on line. If and when I do I will be sure to send it. I hope this helps. Please contact me for more help. I have made 3 of these quilts.

Will you share what pattern you are using? June

I FOUND IT....EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DESCRIBE !!!

http://www.equilters.com/library/blocks/broken_dishes-hstB.html

I hope this is helpful to those who have never done this type block. I find them easy and fun to do.

I have made these in different sizes. They can either be put together matched or mismatched. Last year Fons and Porter magazine had this pattern made up called "Summer Dreams." It was then I knew I wanted to do this pattern in several sizes.

Make some samples and have a good time doing it. Easy.

June

OMG So much to learn. Thanks so much for all your tips! I have learned so much from this website. I greatly appreciate everyones comments, I take them to heart and fingers! I think I have that OCD that was mentioned. I think it all has to be perfect or it isn't right. Thanks for reminding me that it is ok to mess up and still it will be a nice quilt. :lol:

Use fairly thick cardboard (at least 1/8-inch thick)
Cut a square to the finished size you want
Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner of the cardboard square
Glue sandpaper, fabric, or anything else, to the bottom of the cardboard square so it won't slip
Lay the cardboard square, lined side up, on top of your oversized patch. Line up the diagonal line on the cardboard with the diagonal line in your patch
Cut the patch to size.

I supposed you could do the same thing with something clear, like template plastic. You'd have to glue dots of something to the underside so you could see through to your patch. Just make sure whatever you use is thick enough that you can't easily cut through it by accident.

They make square rulers with grids and lines that'll work, but I'm a bit clumsy and heavy-handed with the rotary cutter. It slips out of place and I'm right back where I started ... every square a different size and out of whack. :cry:

Peachrose, I had to laugh! All there is to learn will not be learned in a week or month. Making triangles will take practice, although I think the method I sent (copied) on 1/26 should serve you well since there are pictures of the steps to proceed. Print it out! Then start a file folder (paper) so yu can take it to your sewing machine or cutting table. For me that was a great help.

You think you have OCD! All of us better have OCD or we will never get the seams to line up. I got into quilting almost by accident and had a lot to learn. After sewing clothing I was not aware of seam allowance needs and accuracy.

I found a straw wreath, covered with fabric patches, at the flea market. I wanted the wreath for something else, so I took off the fabric. In discovering just how much there was, and the size of the pieces, I put them into a small mesh bag, washed/dried/ironed them and then decided to make quilt blocks. They also had to be measured and cut. I knew they would make something for a quilt.

I had been given a quilt book, so I searched for a pattern. After making 90 9" blocks I discovered I could not match up the seams. I put them in a bag and laid them aside. That was about 7 years ago. Now I am going to begin to rip and re-sew in order to get them to fit together. That was long enough for me to learn to make more accurate seams.

You are wise to ask questions. It can save some heartache when it comes to ripping things apart.

Patricej had a good idea. Do invest in a few rulers. The 6" square with the diagonal line comes in handy when squaring those triangle squares.

My confession. I want to duplicate an old quilt I own, but cannot seem to sew the diamonds and then insert triangle background pieces. I have made about a dozen sample blocks and they are awful! That project is on hold. After 7 years I am still learning. Do not give up. Once you have completed one good quilt, you will be bursting with pride. You will want to display it where everyone can see it.

Keep up the good work. You WILL succeed, OCD or not!! Just take your time. This is supposed to be fun...not hard work!! My Best to YOU.....june

I have never used them but a lot of quilters now use Thangles to make their half square triangles perfect. Some of them swear by them!!
Gay

Hello Gay, do you have a link with information for Thangles? I have heard the term but not read anything about them. I am interested. I have used the E Burns method and found it works well for me. Remember Summer Dreams (nightmare) and the 156 (or whatever) small pinwheel blocks I made? And of course I enlarged it and went on to make 2 more Summer Dreams quilts. Guess I must like half square triangles by now and can make them easily. that was a lot of practice on one method. Squaring is the tedious part.

We all have to have a rough spot in our lives, and quilters are no exception.

June

I have used themand they do make it a lot easier. You cut strips of the two fabrics you're joining( cut them together-facing each other) it has the sewing lines marked on the paper then you simply cut between the lines and remove the paper. They come in several sizes.
kathy

June, I think about any quilt shop online carries them now. Just do a search on Thangles and it will bring them up. In a group I'm in there are some who swear by them and will not make half square triangles without them. Like I said, I've never used them myself YET!! LOL
Gay

Thanks Gay, in reading the description it appears as though it is nearly the same thing. I cannot imagine sewing through paper will make a difference. I will check the fabric store when I go again. There are things that puzzle me and I need to be convinced. However, I do cut my fabric in a 2 layer square and mark/sew/press which is nearly the same thing. Can someone tell me these Thangles give you a PERFECT square? I want to hear a great, BIG testamonial on these things.

Ok girls, let er rip!!!

June

yes they do, it's because it's actually a rectangle untill you sew it, cut it apart and iron it. Then it's a darling little square. It's not the paper that makes the diff. it's the deminsions.(sp?)
kathy
p.s. I have to confess.... I cheated! I borrowed a couple from my mom and made copies, if you're making a lot it could get expensive.

Anyone else? the idea it is not a square is interesting. Can you give us some dimensions, Kathy?

We are here to learn...especiallly me.

Since I'm at work (shhhh don't tell I'm on the puter) I can't , but when I get home I will measure and get back to you tomorrow
kathy

I am learning from others that my method is the old and not so fast method. However a 6 in square (see-through ruler) with a diagonal line helps me to square my block to the proper dimensions. Sometimes I am :right onthe money" and other things I need to square. Rotary cutters were made for squaring and trimming so everything is neat and clean and perfect.

I am still going to wait and weigh-in on what others tell me about those thangles. Just what I read does not convince me so far. Sorry!!!

Tried and true methods work best for me.

Keep trying.....someone may convince me yet. I am open to learning.

June

Hey, June ...

Personally I subscribe to an old philosophy: If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

If your way works for you, don't fix it either.
;-)

I agree to that philosophy too, Patrice. I use the same method June uses and they usually turn out just fine. I know several quilters though who swear by the Thangles.
Gay

I have no objection to Thangles. I'm just too cheap to buy such things. LOL

Besides, I had already used my the computer to make my own before I knew I could buy them already made. I cut the fabric strips about 1/4" wider than called for, then center the strips of printed paper, so I know everything will trim down to proper sizes after the stitching is done. And usually only use it for dark fabrics.

If I'm planning to hand-stitch the pieces, I iron freezer paper to the front of the fabric, then print my templates directly onto the back. Saves the time of drawing all those lines. Again, I only resort to that much work if the fabric is too dark for the printed lines to show.

I've done that once in a while to prepare for machine piecing, too. Probably sounds a bit goofy. Slightly more prep work, and uses a little more fabric because of margins, etc. But sometimes it's worth it. Depends mostly on the specific project and the mood I'm in at the time. The method is especially helpful if I want to change a block designed to finish at one size so it'll finish to a different size.

OK here's the thangle (I hope)
I don't know why it came out so big, maybe it'd lifesize but there's 3 to a sheet
kathy

Thanks, Kathy. I will print it and see what I can do with it.

Strange that I have been shopping in fabic stores for year, but only in the quilt department about 7, and never saw anything like it. I was just not looking in the right place.....or even curious enough to pick it up and check it out.

This group has been a big help, in many ways. Please continue your kindness to others, especially new quilters. Your help is invaluable.

June