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  • Equilateral Triangles, what's the trick?

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    Old 01-14-2014, 09:57 AM
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    Default Equilateral Triangles, what's the trick?

    I'm having trouble getting my equilateral triangles to come out right when sewing them together. I'm getting a little too good at doing the rip-stitch. Please share your tips if you'd be so kind. Thanks!
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    Old 01-14-2014, 10:10 AM
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    Starch the snot out of the fabric before cutting. All those bias edges will trip you up for sure, and the starch will stabilize them.
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    Old 01-14-2014, 10:11 AM
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    Another thought - do you mean you're struggling with lining up the shapes before you sew? It might help to clip the little dog-ears....
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    Old 01-14-2014, 10:14 AM
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    Starch before cutting. Sew them carefully and use pins when you sew them together in strips. I sometimes use a straight pin to "encourage" the fabric towards the needle as I sew.
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    Old 01-14-2014, 10:17 AM
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    Let the edge of a triangle overhang the other fabric by 1/4" before sewing.
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    Old 01-14-2014, 10:33 AM
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    Originally Posted by Peckish
    Another thought - do you mean you're struggling with lining up the shapes before you sew? It might help to clip the little dog-ears....
    Exactly! They are coming out too high or too low. I started pinning along where the seam would be ( I have a guide from ripping out the previous seam, lol) so that I can flip it over to check. I know that I'm just missing a trick here.
    Thanks for the help!
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    Old 01-14-2014, 10:34 AM
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    Equilateral triangles are 60-60-60 degree triangles, all 3 sides are equal in length. Is this the triangle you are working with?
    I have the best luck with leaving the points on them. This tip was in the One Block Wonder book and it really works.

    If the points are already clipped, you can lay one triangle right over the next one matching all sides.

    Last edited by PaperPrincess; 01-14-2014 at 10:37 AM.
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    Old 01-14-2014, 10:42 AM
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    Starch as everyone has said. Also there is a tool, I can't remember what it is called that has a hole in it at the 1/4" mark. You could probably make one our of cardstock get the little hole where it needs to be then just lay it on your triangle and mark it. You then match the marks up at the beginning of the seam and end of the seam.
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    Old 01-14-2014, 10:58 AM
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    Here's a visual, thanks everyone for helping me. [ATTACH=CONFIG]456557[/ATTACH]
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    Old 01-14-2014, 11:56 AM
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    That block is just stunning, your points match exactly! Great job (but no equilateral triangles )
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