The triangle section for those New York Beauties. Now, I can do Drunkards Path just fine...go figure.

I'm trying out more complex machine quilting than I have ever done, and it's going to take more practice! I've done mostly hand quilting, nothing too extraordinary, and easy machine stuff like SITD, but now I'm trying shapes and forms. Hard to get used to guiding smoothly and easily.

Bindings!!!! I hate bindings and that phobia keeps me from finishing quilts or if one wants to put it in other terms creating more UFOs. :lol:

FMQ is hard for me. I'm more of a straight line person and I can't seem to "wander" around. I think I make it hard for myself but I'm going to keep practicing and hopefully some day....
~Deb~

cutting a straight cut with the rotary cutter/\.

Some things can happen if...a piece is cut on the cross grain (it will stretch a bit..use a scan 1/4inch (two or three threads over). Cut precisely. Make sure the fabric is straight before cutting.

I know you have been taught to fold the fabric and cut accross the grain. For instance: lets take a log cabin. you cut accross the grain and you start sewing your strips together. Your block, if you notice is warped or not perfectly square. That is because the cross grain is weak. Now cut your stips on the lenght of grain. Your block will be perfectly square and will be the correct size.

Your borders should also be cut on the straight of grain. Before applying your borders, measure from the middle of you quilt from side to side and use that measurement.

For beginners, I recommend the four Books and rulers from Sharon Hultgren. Her rulers will cut perfect triangles, hex, diamonds. Any pattern you find, you can use her rulers to make sure that the patches are perfect.

I have a way of doing quick binding that still looks good. Not as 'perfect' as hand stitching but I think it turns out pretty neat. I can try and describe it to you if you're interested. I'm sure it's not new and you might have already tried it and it doesn't work for you.

Crafty bear, How do you square up a big piece of fabric that is too large for your table or your rulers. I've tried folding but that isn't working. I have trouble with my pieced block too, but I'm sure that is because I am not exact with every seam. I hate to keep trimming edges, the thing just keeps shrinking!

Time :lol: :lol: :lol:

And making the corners look right.

Billy

good ? this is a link that I use *& maybe someone else can help us out

http://quilting.about.com/od/rotaryc...ing_strips.htm