Using templates.....need some help!
 

I have never used templates printed from a pattern before. I fell in love with Don’s Dizzy Geese, here, https://www.quiltingboard.com/pictur...n-t188184.html
And I ordered the book. This is a practice block made from scraps. I have Christmas Gathering fabrics and hope to make a quilt for my DIL. There are 3 pieces that are cut using templates-the “tri rec star points” in the center have 3 Template cut pieces in them. My points are off on 2 sets of the pointsin the center, and I assume it was due to cutting from the paper template. How do you get consistant results? I don’t want to invest time and money into getting acrylic templates cut, as I will make this quilt once, and probably never again. But, if that’s the best way to cut these pieces, guess I will need to try to accomplish that. I wish the pattern stated the size each block should be trimmed to-this is a 17 1/2” unfinished block. We live in a rural area...and today we are iced-in! Izzit almost summer???? :)

I buy the plastic cutting mats from the dollar store $1.00 for a pack of 2-3. They are easily cut with scissors (not fabric scissors please). You can easily see through them or use a light box to draw your designs with fine point magic marker. Cut the pieces(s) out, trace around them onto your fabric with the fabric marking system of your choice. Then, when you cut them, they will be consistent. Cheap & effective! I do it all the time!

Becky has a great idea for cutting templates and I might give it a go myself.

I completely understand not wanting to buy unnecessary tools, however the "tri-rec" is not an uncommon block. I've also refereed to as a V-block, triangle in a square and peaks & triangles and likely a few more names out there. It's one of those items that you might consider picking up at JoAnn's with a coupon, or a local quilt shop. I've only used mine in a couple of projects, but it was worth the price. I've seen at least 3 versions, the Tri-Rec tool, Triangle in a Square from Quilt in a Day, and Creative Grids 2 peaks in 1 triangle.

I also wanted to say, I think your block looks great and look forward to seeing the finished quilt!

I agree with Suzi, the tri-rec patch is used in numerous quilt blocks. The ruler set is not very expensive, it cuts many finished sizes & you will probably use it again.
If you have Amazon prime, it's only $11

https://www.amazon.com/Wrights-1-Inc...tri+recs+ruler

I also love your block!!!

[QUOTE=PaperPrincess;7979289]I agree with Suzi, the tri-rec patch is used in numerous quilt blocks. The ruler set is not very expensive, it cuts many finished sizes & you will probably use it again.

I have the tri rec ruler set, and a few other triangle rulers....the angles of these pieces are not the same as any of my rulers. I like Becky’s idea though! Will have to run to the dollar store when we thaw out! Thank you!

Also, I vaguely recall someone posting about taping the template to the back of a ruler? This pattern has 2 additional irregular shapes to cut......

What I find unusual is you cut all pieces for your block with the same template and two of the tri-rec units came out perfect and two did not. Additionally the two that are perfect are exactly opposite of each other as are the two that are not. Usually when sewing this block together you are sewing the two opposite sides first, like top and bottom, then the other two sides.

Are the two sides that are off the sides you attached first or second? I am thinking your problem is not with the template cutting but somehow something is different when you are attaching the two sides that are off.

When you make your tri-rec units do they all measure exactly the same before assembling into the star block? When you look at your completed tri rec unit do you have the normal 1/4" seam allowance from the top of the point to the raw edge of the unit?
If the answer to both of those question is yes, then that means the problem is when you sew the tri rec unit to your square in a square unit.

it appears to me that the unit referrred to in the opening post as a " tri rec unit" is more of a rectangle than a square -

the triangle in a square (peaky and spike) ends up as a square.

i think you need to use the templates given, and figure out where the glitch is. if two out of four units are okay, then i think i would assume the templates are correct.

by the way, it is a nice block.

I recut and stitched the center portion of the block-it is lining up when stitched like this. The block construction has lots of other angles....I will take original block apart and see if I can identify my mis-step. Judging by the messy left side, something was not cut correctly! Thank you for your eyes and suggestions!

The fabrics your are using for this are so beautiful! This quilt is going to be stunning when completed and I have a feeling no one but you is going to notice a few chopped points. This quilt is on my bucket list but way down. I have the book as well so I am going to take a look at it. I'm wondering if this might be easier to PP? It shouldn't be too terribly difficult to draw out the units for PP. But it will be a time consuming task if you have no way to photo copy your pattern once you get it right.

On your second picture I see you don't have any seam allowance showing on the two units that are not yet attached to the Square in a Square. Are they folded under or is that how the unit is coming out? Or am I mistaken and they are attached and you are doing set in seams?

I can't see anything wrong with your block. It's so gorgeous! And I looked at Don's. Wow, what a beauty!