Why I Hate Piecing
07-27-2011, 04:08 AM
#21
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 109
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.
07-27-2011, 04:34 AM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Glenmoore, PA
Posts: 7,941
Originally Posted by MadQuilter
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.
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.
07-27-2011, 04:46 AM
#25
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 17,068
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!!!
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!!!
07-27-2011, 05:51 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 976
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.
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.
07-27-2011, 05:55 AM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: near Peoria Illinois
Posts: 1,638
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!:)
But it does get better. You will too. hang in there!:)
07-27-2011, 06:10 AM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: So. Fla now, Va orig
Posts: 1,565
Originally Posted by margie77072
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
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
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
