Can you help me with my setting triangles??
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The California Hills
Posts: 626
Can you help me with my setting triangles??
I am planning a quilt that will be my first on-point setting. My quilt blocks will be 3 inches finished. I found a few sites that give formulas or charts for the size of triangles to cut.
For the corners of the quilt I found that I need to cut two 3 inch square in half diagonally. For each of the rows, I need to use 1/4 of a triangle from a 5 1/2 inch square. Do these measurements sound right??
Finally, my biggest question is if you recommend cutting the setting triangles the exact size (so the measurements I listed above) or do you like over-sizing them? If you use over-sized, how difficult is it to cut down to size afterwards (do you do that before quilting or after quilting??)?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
For the corners of the quilt I found that I need to cut two 3 inch square in half diagonally. For each of the rows, I need to use 1/4 of a triangle from a 5 1/2 inch square. Do these measurements sound right??
Finally, my biggest question is if you recommend cutting the setting triangles the exact size (so the measurements I listed above) or do you like over-sizing them? If you use over-sized, how difficult is it to cut down to size afterwards (do you do that before quilting or after quilting??)?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
#2
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,560
Finally, my biggest question is if you recommend cutting the setting triangles the exact size (so the measurements I listed above) or do you like over-sizing them? If you use over-sized, how difficult is it to cut down to size afterwards (do you do that before quilting or after quilting??)
#3
I think you should cut the pieces to be the proper size, because it will make it easier to assemble the quilt. But first measure your actual finished block size, not the theoretical block size, and use that figure to calculate the size needed for the setting triangles. If your finished block size is indeed 3", then the figures you've found are correct.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Sunny Arizona
Posts: 476
Hopefully someone will back me up, but, I think the square for the four corners should be at least 3 7/8". While the finished size is 3", the triangle is actually being sewn onto a 3 1/2" square. Also, though I am not positive, I think the setting square that will be cut in 4 should be more like 6". 5 1/2 might just make it, but you lose some with the triangle points when sewing them on. Mudd?
#6
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
I cut my setting triangles over-sized and cut them down after adding them to the ends of a diagonal row. I do the same with the corner triangles. For me, there's nothing worse than being 1/4th inch off on cuts for setting triangles!
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
You multiply the size of your blocks by 1.414 for the side setting triangles, cut your squares that size then cut them diagonally twice (X). For the corners you divide by 1.414 cut your squares and cut them in half diagonally.
#8
BUT .. I agree with Prism99.
I too always cut oversize . When assembling the setting triangles to the block, I match the center of each so I have extra on each edge. Then each row will get squared up and straightened. Then after I assemble the whole quilt, I will square up the sides. I myself would rather have to trim off, than not have a straight edge.
#9
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
I always cut my setting triangles bigger because sometime it is good to have a little breathing room between the quilt block and the border. Your idea won't work well because the edge of the quilt will be all bias. It will work for the corner triangles You need a much bigger square that you can cut diagonally into quarters.
Here is a popular website that might help you:
http://quiltville.com/onpointmath.shtml
I bought a ruler years ago and it was one of the best investments I made.
Here is a popular website that might help you:
http://quiltville.com/onpointmath.shtml
I bought a ruler years ago and it was one of the best investments I made.
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