I think the front looks pretty awesome, who cares about the back?

Personally I do not do a perfect 1/4in seam allowance, I move my needle to the right a number of clicks, found that thread and pressing takes up some of the allowance. It works for me.

Quilting friends don't point out flaws, LOL ... I would never do that to a friend, been there done that myself and it does just take practice to get points to match etc. Don't forget to get those seams to hug up to each other so that they meet.

HST means half square triangle. 2 triangles sewn together to make a square. (Or, draw a line diagonally through the square to make 2 triangles.)

QST means quarter square triangle. 4 triangles sewn together to make a square, or draw an X through the square to make 4 triangles.

I am a piecer and if you cut sepperate triangles and then tried to sew them together I would have gotten the same results. I use rulers that help get the triangles correct.
For years I used Elanor Burns, Quilt in a Day, special rulers but I switched this summer to June Taylor perfect Half Square and Quarter Square Triangles. I like that even better. If you use that it will give you those perfect Ohio Stars you want.

Here is a video showing you how to use it-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvBURxlgwFo


I really like your table runner. It is very pretty.

By the way I think your applique is awesome and I wished I could aplique like that.

Wow! your other quilts are beautiful! And I don't think your sample was so bad. Just practice, and if you don't enjoy it, go back to the applique. I think you get "A" for effort!!

So many suggestions - but i'll add another - Elmers washable school glue at the seam intersections....just a tiny dab in what will be the seam allowance, press to dry it- and stitch your seam....your pieces won't move or shift. Also....since you are obviously such a talented applique artist (i looked at your beautiful photos)....finish the quilt - and anyplace that you just can't tolerate on the finished product - applique a pretty flower over it. It will make a beautiful quilt. I think you did a great job for your first back to piecing effort....cuz any "experienced" piecer who says that she never has things that don't line up perfectly, is fibbing to you. Don't give up !!!

I totally agree with this comment. I found that this was my problem with HSTs also. Unless you make a perfectly straight 1/4 inch seam, the results will be off. I can't get it exactly right either, so I have actually started reducing my 1/4 inch seam just a hair, so that the resulting HST are just a bit over what they are supposed to be on purpose. Then using a ruler that has good angle markings, line up the angle lines and trim down to the exact size needed; I get more consistent results doing this.

you do have to replace them when they get dull! than they are wonderful. I think you are being way to hard on yourself. your block looks fine to me :)

I have had a lot of similiar issues and my personal solution is to make half square triangles and quarter square triangles bigger and trim them down carefully to the proper size. Yes, it takes more time but time is what I have.

Better a little more time than the frustration of lots of rework and missing points.

I think you did a pretty decent job myself. I always use a template and mark and cut it with scissors. I'm horrible with a rotary cutter. If you sew a consistant 1/4 seam, eveerything should be A-OK

What I see is that your squares are not square or the same size. It can be caused by cutting or stitching. Buy new blades for your rotary cutter and use it. You should be more accurate. That will take care of the cutting part. Measure from your needle to the outside of your foot to see if you are stitching a scant 1/4". If not, mark it (I use painters tape to mark that line across my machine. It helps in keeping even seams. The other problem that I see (having been there, done that) is the blocks don't line up across the lattice. When you start attaching the second block to the lattice, you need to draw a line on the lattice, so that you know where the points of the second block should line up with the first block. That's also true of the the narrow pieces of lattice. I sew mine so that the pieced blocks are up and I can see where I am sewing, that way I can sew thru the points the same way across the block. I would take the blocks off the lattice and resew it. It might not be perfect, but if the points lined up on the lattice, it wouldn't be so noticeable. Good luck. As I said, "Been there, done that".