I have had it. I tried one more, no let's correct that, twice more to do piecing. I am working on a baby quilt made up of rectangles. It took only 6 FQ's and looks easy. Well, I put it together and some of my columns are off by 1/2". How'd that happen? I cut carefully. I checked and double checked my 1/4" seams. And still, I'm off. Okay 1/2" on a couple of seams no biggie. It was easy to fix, I think. I'll know for sure when I get the backing on it.

Then, I thought, let's try one of those quick to do blocks, pinwheels, to be exact. I decided to use the MSQC (or whatever) method of sewing completely around a set of squares and then cutting twice on the diagonal. Seems simply enough. I had some solids and some striped 5" squares and decided to use them. I knew the square was going to be a bit smaller and was prepared for that. What I wasn't prepared for was that I'd end up with two different size HST's within each square. You know, if you cut diagonally you end up with 4 HST's. Simple, right. Hardly!

Thanks for letting me rant. I feel better. Back to my "simple" quilts. I think I'll stick to paper-piecing after this. Oh no! I'll eventually have to put those squares into a quilt....LOL

:) :(

I'm HST challenged, so I always cut the squares way larger than needed, sew my seam(s), cut, press, then cut down to the finished size. Once you get the hang of paper piecing, though, the accuracy can't be beat!

Eleanor Burns has a great way to do her HSTs.

mltquilt

I use Thangles....I'm not very good at doing them on my own!!! They always turn out RIGHT for me!!!

SOunds like you get off on your cutting - particularly if your seam allowances are even. Recommendation: If you have many pieces to cut that are the same size, take some blue painter's tape and lay it on the line of your ruler the size you need to cut. Or put the tape along both measurements of your ruler when you need to cut a square (or rectangle) That way you will see immediately if your ruler is not aligned properly on the fabric.

Your square for the HST probably wasn't square either. Word of advice on the method you described: You will have to deal with the bias edges and they distort easily. That's why I prefer to do them 2 at a time from oversized squares.

Don't give up yet. But in the meantime, you could work with panels. No piecing there.

I have problems too and I know it is just more practice and attention to accuarcy. The little bit off here and there really add up when you put them together.

Noted.....thanks!

I use a similar product I think it was triangles on a roll. Pretty slick and I also have trouble with the triangles, but this made me feel much better.

Check your rulers ladies, some of them are not accurate and that includes the cutting board.

don't give up. practice on small projects... wall hangings, placemats, mugrugs, etc. it'll come

That Missouri Quilt method results in four HST's with exposed bias on all four edges. :roll:
So it you didn't starch the fabric squares into oblivion before sewing and cutting, and weren't gentle in the way you handled them, they are going to stretch. And end up being different sizes. And/or not square.

I know it's all the rage to use that method (and others have no problem with it) but I wouldn't bother. Not worth it. You save some time sewing but pay for it when trying to use them.

Like Paper Princess, I always use the cut bigger and trim down to size method. Results in perfect HST's each time.

Paper piecing (Thangles or On-a-roll or freezer paper) are other options but you have the additional step of the foundation preparation and/or removal to deal with. But it's worth it if you're having a problem with any of the other methods.

yes especially if you use two different rulers they could be possibly different too.

Spent all of last Saturday trying to get small little squares sewn together to match a big square. What a nightmare. I found that my cutting skills and sewing skills need to be worked on before sewing little squares casue a bitsy error multiplies fast! I also should have heeded prior warnings about different rulers. Not only that I found out that my 1/4" foot is different from machine to machine so don't change machines mid stream.

I redesigned the quilt to get rid of my problem!

I feel your pain.

it will get better--slow down, there's no race...
take a deep breath...
Feel better?

Be careful with your pressing. You can stretch it out of shape and size so fast. Take a deep breath. Been there, done that and feel you pain and frustration. Hugs.

Link for 4 sizes of HST's.
http://www.blockcentral.com/a-halfsq...glepaper.shtml

TonnieLoree, Thanks for the link to paper-pieced HST's.

Bias edges, starch, stretch...the video said nothing about those things. Next time, I run the idea by the board first. Don't believe everything on those videos...lol.

All right. I have a confession. 3-4 quilts done before I realized that my 1/4 inch foot was a 1/4 inch and 3/8ths inch foot. I was using the 3/8ths inch part for making my seams. OOPS. Could that be the problem? Using the wrong foot?

I love using the Easy Angle Ruler. Bonnie Hunter from quiltville.com explains how to use it with pictures. I like that you add 1/2" to the desired finished size, cut your strips then place them right sides together. Then cut the triangles with the ruler, flipping it back and forth down your strip. Since they are right sides together they are ready to sew. You can also mix and match the parts. With a corner nubbed off, they show how to line up, and once sewn they come out the correct size with no further trimming. If I see 1/2 square triangles in a project I translate the directions to use this ruler. I used to make them oversized and trim them down but not since I started using this plan. It comes in two sizes which meets all my needs so far.

Thanks for addressing this issue as I, too, have this problem. I appreciate all the helpful info provided by others.

I just discovered Marti Michell's templates and rulers. You can't go wrong with these! Piecing is a 'piece of cake' with matching corners & no bunny ears; log cabins come out perfect, too.

I agree with all this. I love the quickie HSTs sewing around all sides and cutting apart. The key is STARCH STARCH STARCH before sewing and cutting. I have also invested in the June Tailor cutting mats with the slits; has so improved my accuracy. And I have blue tape on all my rulers that I move according to the size I am cutting. If you follow the accurate cutting methods and then use a 1/4" piecing foot with the guide you should be home free. Just take your time and enjoy what you are doing; REMEMBER, quilting is SUPPOSED to be FUN :!: ;-)

I just cut about a zillion triangles to make squares. I starched the heck out of them and handled them as little as possible.
Last night I made them into 4 block squares and am about to join them.
If they come out perfectly I'll be shocked. I just can't do perfect!!!

I use Triangulations for half and quarter square blocks. You print the size you need and as many as you need and just sew on the line and cut on the line similar to paper piecing. Love it.

Sounds to me like you need to find your quarter inch on your machine. I had a lot of trouble with that at first.
Find it and stick to that setting. You might even want to use some blue or green painters tape to mark your machine.
Record your needle position, measure measure measure.

In the beginning my seams were not equal either. It takes practice to control the smaller size pieces of quilting than making a dress or skirt. I had to learn how to hold and guide the fabric different to my machine.
But it does get better. You will too. hang in there!:)

I have found that some times when cutting apart hsts that the ruler can slip because of seams beneath and cause blocks to be off, it just multiplies on every block that is fractionally off. (happened to me on a DpP) I have a 1/4 inch piecing foot that I would have a fit if I didn't have it as my 1/4 inch seams suck otherewise!! I have seen that MSQC video and want to try it, but too much else on my plateright now. :D

I agree.. if you're having accuracy problems check your tools.. and slow down.. and DON'T use a method that results in a lot of bias edges.. they stretch too easily. oh.. and pin .. a lot.

You can always try Rhonda's cut down methods for very small units.

That MSQC (or whatever) method of making HSTs always seemed wonky to me - at best.

I tried it - once - and have vowed to never do it that way again.

El Burns method makes 8 HST at a time and only one cut to square up with her ruler.
Always perfect and no bias edges.
The ruler makes it so simple to square up with one cut.
I tried different methods but this one is by far the best.
With the ruler, that you can get at JOanns with a coupon, you can make any size up to 6 1/2 inch.
The trick is you square up without opening the triangle by setting the line on the stitch line and making one cut. It is ingenious.
I like making HST now and make alot of them very quickly.

I always pin my intersections so they are correct.

My 1/4" seam isn't so accurate-I tend to use the edge of the presser foot as my guide. If I try to sew a block on 2 different machines I'm in big trouble.

But anyway, I pin my intersections so they are good. When I sew the block together I tend to have to trim it and hey, you know it's supposed to be a 6.5" block, but it's going to be a 6" block and I just trim everything so it matches.

You may want to play with patterns for awhile that don't have seams you have to match. Like a lasagna quilt or this one: http://quiltville.com/crayonboxpf.html Just to get the enjoyment back and then practice on small projects for awhile. A lot of time it just requires a little patience and allow yourself to take your time.

On the other hand, I envy you the ability to paper piece. I've looked at it online and just cringe thinking it looks so hard.

Do what you enjoy and find a quilting buddy to help you put your blocks together.

I always make HST using larger squares figuring I can always trim. Since I had done a lot of sewing, I knew how to handle bias (think A-line skirts, etc). However, I prefer not to handle bias on the outside of a block -- especially since I can't finish piecing a quilt at one sitting and I sometimes forget I am handling bias edges and then I am in trouble (sigh). If you do have to work with bias edges -- as a lot of folks have said -- STARCH!!!!

Before I start sewing, I always double check my 1/4" seam -- different fabrics take up different amounts of fabric when the seams are pressed (some fabrics are thicker than others -- and not just flannels). I always measure the first pieced block and adjust accordingly -- as was mentioned earlier, being off by just a bit every time a seam is sewn can result in being off by a lot. Here is some math to think about -- if a seam is off by 1/32" on every seam then after 8 seams the block can be off by 1/4". If you measure as you do the first block, you know where things go off and you can be more careful there.

Another thing that can send a block off is when you press the seams -- if you are not real careful you may wind up with a fold instead of a press seam -- this can be as much as 1/8" (ask me how I know). Talk about throwing a block off!!

I think I have made about every mistake possible piecing -- sometimes more than once but then I think I may be a slow learner.

A teacher once told us that even being off 1 thread across a quilt with many seams, can distort your finished product several inches. Might be a good idea to work on accurate cutting first, then work to have all 1/4" seams. One half inch seam is waaaay too off to even try to work with! And...some fabric stretches, also, so be aware of that. Try using a good spray product to set your fabric, that might help,too! If given to charities, people who need the warmth don't care about those things. Nothing ever has to be wasted!

This is ingenious!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to try it today!

You wont regret the investment in her ruler.
I love making HST now knowing they will be perfect.
So many patterns use HST so it is a good investment

But OMGosh you can paper peice, I can't!!!

Oh, I'm so glad to know that I'm not alone. No matter how carefully I cut and sew, I'm always off somewhere and I can never figure where I got off. I remember my first teacher warned us that if you were off one-two threads on each cut, it could make you off by an inch or more and so I've tried to remember that and usually try to sew the scant 1/4" seam to compensate. But like you, it never turns out exactly right. Just remember: "Who can tell the difference on a galloping horse."

Margie, I'm sorry because I had to laugh a little at your post because I do piece quilting, that's all I've ever done so I am quite used to it. 1st off, all your seams do have to be 1/4", that was a fixable problem, and even after that you have to "square" your squares. Squaring your squares is not wise to do until after you finish all squares 1st (found this out the hard way) because then you take the smallest square and make the rest the same size as that one. It does take a lot of work but I have always enjoyed it so when I tried paper piecing when I joined this board, I thought to myself, "OMG! I have been doing it the hard way!" LOL I like PP too, now! I always believe in sticking to what you know! If it ain't broke, don't fix it! :thumbup: