Tippy

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!!

GailG

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.

Crissie

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~

Susy

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.

garysgal

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!

Susy

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

justme

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...

Crissie

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!

Lucille

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.

Kellie G

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.