My camera isn't working so I can't show you but I am having a hard time keeping points on my tube blocks, some work, some don't!?? Is this just sloppy cutting, or what am I doing wrong? I have made a Xmas table runner & a couple of place mats but I would like to figure this out before I start on a quilt. Any hints, ideas, etc of what I could be doing wrong?

Are you pressing your seams in opposite directions so when you put 2 pieces together the seams automatically "nestle" together? I try to press all of the same pieces in one direction and the opposites in the other before I start to put them together and this really seems to help my points.
Cathy

I did that but everything seemed really bulky so I even tried pressing all seams open on the last one. At the rate I am going I am going to have a LOT of orphan blocks!

When you cut them out, put your ruler on the seam line, not at the bottom edge of the fabric :wink: Someone else posted this correction a while ago to keep your points intact.

Yes, I saw that & that's the one thing I thought I was doing really well.

When you are placing your blocks together to sew, look at where the seam line is "going to be" Can you see on one of the sides a little triangle of seam lines? That is the side you want facing up. Your new seam line needs to intersect that triangle. If you are a tad past that triangle, you will lose your point.

Measure all of your blocks, measure your seams, are they all the same?

if they seem too lumpy to you, try pressing with the seams open instead of to one side. a now-acceptable method.

I did press the seams open and it is less bulky & Amma, I measured my blocks before putting them together and it seems that some are different, up to 1/16 or 1/8 on some. So, just gotta get my cutting better, you think??? (I'm not really good at that part, some co-ordination problems due to a health condition, or at least that's my excuse)!

We all have trouble with our cutting and sewing :wink: It just takes some practice and if you sew them so ALL of the points are cut off...who is going to know the difference? They will all look the same :D :D :D

Tee hee, that is funny! Ok, I'm off with that great attitude in my mind, we'll see what happens and if its too horrible, my dog will get ANOTHER quilt! Thank you!!!!

A trick I have used when I have "lost points" is to embellish with a button if it's a scrappy type.

Suzy, I say don't worry about those points; they'll get better with practice (you'll figure out your own little tricks for getting it). I have a "clumbsy right hand" because of a stroke and I've learned to accept things that are not what I used to call perfect. It's good to want it done well, but if you're going to stress over it.... you know -- it's not worth it. It kinda defeats the purpose of having a hobby. Relax and move on. :wink: Good luck.

I want to try the tube quilting, but I'm not sure I have the right ruler.

Thank you for that, I have done a few blocks now & have a little bit of point on them (better than my practise ones) so I will keep plugging and see how it goes, its going to be for me anyway. Gee, too bad we didn't live closer, I have a numb, un-coordinated left hand/arm due to a neurological thing (dr's think MS but not proven), we would make a good team.

We could have some fun times! :wink:

Ya'll are so smart! I don't even know what tube quilting is. But I hope to find out! I'm new and I suppose I'll find a search for terms.

I'm glad you posted this before I try the pattern. Thanks!!

I can't remember exactly now, and I can't seem to locate the original pattern for tube quilting now, thought I saved it, but the one I started using hand an error in the width of one of the strips, both should have been 4.5 inches I think; since I can't locate the pattern, I can't be sure I'm telling you correctly, but check the pattern, that might be the problem, if it mentions different widths in the strips, try making a change to see if that helps...

just google in tube quilting pattern and you will get the info you are looking for....... yes there was an error in the cutting size. the two strips you sew together should each be 2 1/2" = 4 1/2" when you sew them together and the other piece should be 4 1/2"....... hope this helps

ByThePiece here is a couple of links to see how it is done..


https://secure.zeald.com/site/kiwiqu...er%20Quilt.pdf

http://blog.missouriquiltco.com/2009...tally-tubular/

You really don't need a special ruler Gail.. just as long as you have a ruler that is marked with a 45 degree line. there is a Tutorial on the Missouri Star Quilt Company site where they show that, so I tried it and it works great!!

Thanks Tippy. I've got strips just waiting to be put together. I "found" those when I was rearranging fabrics in the sewing room. I had cut way too many strips for a spiraling project. Thanks for the help.

Most important too, is that 1/4" seam! And when you said they are all off a little ... that all adds up at the end a smidge here and there soon take away or add to your finished work. Practice practice makes a perfect quilter.... I've been doing piece work for 30 years and I still make mistakes!

Good accuracy, in cutting & sewing along with proper pressing (not ironing) is what it's all about~

Yes, that 1/4 inch seam is so tricky. I am still a bit out on that so I just cut my wider strip the same as the total of the 2 1/2 inch, seems to be working a bit better. It is slowly coming together, a few not so pointy but then again, better than the first few I did. Thanks all, for the suggestions, eventually I will get it done (I can't seem to whip a quilt out in no time at all, yet)and show pictures.

I saw a really neat video on youtube about this and she says you can use any ruler as long as it has the 45 degree line on it. you can check this out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOWSp0mTTqE in case I am wrong. I can't wait to try tube quilting-I just wish I had more hours in the day!

Yup, I am just using the 45? degree line on my little 6 1/2 inch ruler and it works great.

Sometimes the more you handle the squares. the more they stretch. try starching your fabrics and then cut... and do not over iron them... another is really watch your 1/4" seam on mine I had to adjust a little...

I just thought of another step that has helped me over the years, when you sew across that point.. sew with that side up so you can see to stitching, right (like one or two threads) above where the two stitched lines cross. Hope this helps you, it sure did me. And what ever you do make it consistent it should come out just right!

If you sew strips 2 1/2 together. After pressing the third strip should measure 4 1/2 to sew with the two strips sewed together. The video said 4 1/4 but she has corrected it. maybe that is your problem.

I had the same problem with my first one (I actually threw it away, oh my!). After I cut my blocks, I squared them up to the same exact size, this helped me alot.