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How do you Strip Piece a 9 Patch Block or Patch?
Mon 09 Jan 2012
If you are sewing a block together that has a simple 9 patch with alternating colors, the fastest way to sew it together is by using a technique called "strip piecing." Follow the step-by-step instructions below. The video will guide you along as well. Cut strips for your block or patch. The width of your strips depends on the size patches in your block (or patch). If you want 2 inch finished size squares, cut your strips2 1/2 inches wide. If you want the dark fabric in the corners, you will need twice as many dark fabric strips as light fabric strips. ... Read More...
If you are hand piecing is it possible to strip piece? When cutting the strips for the unit the stitches come lose. What suggestions do you have.
Mon 09 Jan 2012
You are correct, the stitches would come out. You would really need to cut each piece the size you need for the individual patch. This would not prevent you from replacing patches with strips, however. You would cut the strips for each individual patch the size that would fit in the patch, and then hand stitch them together. Read More...
How can I sew on the bias so it doesn't stretch?
Mon 09 Jan 2012
The bias of fabric is when you cut across the grain. Usually the cut is a 45 degree angle, but it can be any angle really. It's amazing how many different tips and shortcuts there are for various steps in making a quilt. But, maybe it shouldn't be so amazing. After all, most quilters are pretty resourceful and creative. And even though they may have the benefit of having someone show them a technique, we are still always looking for a better way - one that will save time or allow us to create a more perfect ... Read More...
Is there a quick way to sew patches together?
Mon 09 Jan 2012
I always sew patches together starting with the patch in the top row, generally from left to right. I’m sure there’s no rule about that, and maybe it’s just because I am left handed. I find that having a system like that, and sticking to it helps keep my patches and blocks in the correct position. Place your patches right sides together and match all sides and corners. Line them up next to your sewing machine, ready to sew. Place the starting edge under the presser foot and stitch the patch together. If you are stitching triangles, as shown below, take care not to stretch the fabric ... Read More...
How do you figure out fabric requirements for a quilt with square patches and half-square triangles?
Mon 09 Jan 2012
Note that if you are cutting strips in order to make squares, no matter what size square you are cutting, add 1/2 inch to the finished size of your square, and 3/4 inch for half square triangles. For example, strips to make 3 inch finished size square patches will be cut 3 1/2 inches wide. Strips for half square triangles will be cut 3 7/8 inches wide. To make squares, you will cut 3 1/2 inch pieces from the 3 1/2 inch strips, making 3 1/2 inch squares. It will take 3 3/4 inches to make 2 half square triangles from a strip ... Read More...
Is there an easy way to keep the patches in your blocks where you want them?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
If you sew your block together in following some kind of system, you are more likely to end up with the patches in the right place. Of course, if you are anything like I am, you still might sew some upside down, but for the most part, all of the patches will be where you want them, facing the way you want them. As I cut my fabric, I place the patch pieces in stacks arranged as I will sew them. This helps keep me organized and knowing that I have cut all of the patches I need to make the ... Read More...
Do you cut stripes & squares lengthwise or from the width?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
I generally cut from selvedge to selvedge for strips that will be cut into patches - either squares or triangles. I cut the fabric lengthwise when I need a longer strip for a border. As with so many things about quilting, I'm sure it is a matter of opinion. The consideration is the length of the piece you will need. If you are cutting squares, it really doesn't matter so much, because you will have 2 sides on the straight grain and 2 sides on the cross grain. If you cut triangles, you should end up with 1 side on ... Read More...
How can I sew set in seams where the corner is flat and not all puckered and bunchy?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
How to Bind a Quilt Once your quilt is finished, you will want the perfect binding. With The Ultimate How to Bind a Quilt Mentor, whichever of the 6 different methods you choose, you'll have smooth and square corners and even edges all the way around your quilt. www.HowToBindAQuilt.com Do you find yourself shying away from sewing diamonds and some triangles because you think that sewing the set in seams (or Y seams) will be too difficult and your corners will be a mess? For many years in my quilting, I avoided anything that wasn't a straight seam, ... Read More...
Working with seam allowances.
Sun 08 Jan 2012
Use ¼” seam allowances. Unless there are other instructions, seam allowances are ¼” wide. Before you start cutting fabric, it’s a good idea to see whether the pattern you are using includes the seam allowances. Often patterns do not specify a seam allowance, especially block patterns in books ofblock patterns. For example, when a pattern designates a 2” patch, it usually is a finished size. That means you need to add ½” to cover the ¼” seam allowance on both sides of the patch, and cut your fabric 2½.” Fold your seam allowances together. Unlike other types of sewing, seam allowances ... Read More...
How should I press seam allowances in quilt blocks?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
Pressing seam allowances can be somewhat confusing and even tricky. And like so many things in quilting, there are "rules" and then there are many times when the rules are broken. Here are my rules for pressing seam allowances: toward one side under the darker fabric facing in opposite directions toward the patch with the fewest seams toward the patch with the least bulky seams (i.e., diamonds with triangles sewn on them tend to be bulky; squares sewn onto squares are generally pretty flat the direction that makes your points more pointy - or makes things line up better under a patch that you ... Read More...
What's the best way to sew sharp pointy triangles?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
Sewing Triangles Quick and Simple Here are some tips for sewing triangles for pointy points: "Thread bunnies" - this will help with all of your chain sewing. A "thread bunny" is a small scrap of fabric that you put under your presser foot to begin and end chain sewing. By sewing the thread bunny before you feeding the first patches in, you are more assured of having a smooth starting edge on your patches. (Translation - your machine is less likely to "eat" the first patch, since it has already had a shot at the thread bunny!) In addition, the thread ... Read More...
How can I keep my patches and blocks organized as I'm sewing them together?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
If you sew your blocks together following some kind of system, you are more likely to end up with the patches in the right place. Of course, if you are anything like I am, you still might sew some upside down, but for the most part, all of the patches will be where you want them, facing the way you want them. As I cut my fabric, I place the patch pieces in stacks arranged as I will sew them. This helps keep me organized and knowing that I have cut all of the patches I need to make ... Read More...
What are the rules for sewing seam allowances in quilting?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
Checking your seam allowances as you sew quilt blocks together will help keep your blocks the right size and your patches will keep their intended shape. Quilting professional Georgia Bonesteel has been a leader in quilt education for more than 30 years. She is the creator and host of “Lap Quilting with Georgia Bonesteel” which is produced by North Carolina Public Television. The show still airs on many PBS stations throughout the United States. She also has several books to her credit, including “Easy Does it Quilts” and “Georgia Bonesteel’s Quiltmaking Legacy.” In her years of quilting, Georgia has spoken of “speed ... Read More...
What do I need to know when sewing on the bias?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
Because the bias edge of the fabric has the ability to stretch, sewing on the bias can be somewhat challenging. If the fabric stretches as you sew, your blocks will end up being different sizes, and your finished quilt may be all puckered. Here are some tips to help keep your patches in shape: To keep bias cut pieces from raveling try spray starch. I do this and it works. (this tip is from newsletter subscriber Loretta Vandiver Pin your blocks carefully. Place pins in each end, and several places along the side, lining up the center and all parts between. Then when you ... Read More...
How can I stabilize fabric when sewing on the bias or curves?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
Do those bias edges on your patches stretch as you sew, like mine do? Here's a suggestion - Cut freezer paper templates the size of your finished patch. Iron them onto the back of the patch, and then sew the patches together - with the freezer paper still attached. Plain ole' freezer paper can help keep the seam allowances tucked in and prevent your bias edges from stretching out of shape. Not only will this give you a great, straight stitching line that will guarantee an accurate seam allowance, it will stabilize the bias edges and keep your fabric from stretching out ... Read More...
How do I sew on the bias edge of fabric?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
The bias of fabric is when you cut across the grain. Usually the cut is a 45 degree angle, but it can be any angle really. It's amazing how many different tips and shortcuts there are for various steps in making a quilt. But, maybe it shouldn't be so amazing. After all, most quilters are pretty resourceful and creative. And even though they may have the benefit of having someone show them a technique, we are still always looking for a better way - one that will save time or allow us to create a more perfect quilt. Whether ... Read More...
Sewing Set-In Seams
Sun 08 Jan 2012
The large squares between the star points were sewn using the set-in seam technique shown below. Do you find yourself shying away from sewing diamonds and some triangles because you think that sewing the set-in seams (or Y seams) will be too difficult and your corners will be a mess? For many years in my quilting, I avoided anything that wasn't a straight seam, even though there were quilts I really wanted to make. Then there came a day when I saw a picture of a quilt I really wanted ... Read More...
Hand Sewing Quilt Patches
Sun 08 Jan 2012
When I was first learning how to quilt, some experienced quilter told me that "every quilter must make a quilt completely by hand." From start to finish - hand sewing the patches and hand quilting. I bought the story and made a queen-size quilt entirely by hand. Cut each one of the patches with scissors, sewed every one of the who-knows-how-many patches together by hand, and hand quilted it. It took two years! And when it was finished, I was pretty happy. Forget the fact that a few years later I had to fold it up and put it away ... Read More...
Is there a basic formula to change the templates to increase the size of a block
Sun 08 Jan 2012
I'm not a mathematician, so I don't know of a formula. What I did (before I had software) was to get some graph paper, create the block the finished size I wanted it, and then cut out the pieces of the block. It helps to label them somehow so you remember where they go in the block. The pieces you cut out will be finished size. You can use them as templates for cutting your fabric by adding the 1/4 inch seam allowance on all sides of the patch. Hope that helps. Happy Quilting! Penny Halgren Read More...
In which direction must I lay the templates on the material?
Sun 08 Jan 2012
Before I answer the question about placing the templates on your fabric, it is a good idea to understand about the grain of fabric. As you see in the picture, the selvedges are the woven edges of the fabric and define the straight grain. Perpendicular to the straight grain is the cross grain of the fabric. Thebias runs diagonally across the fabric. Now to the templates. If you are cutting squares or rectangles, you will want to place the straight sides of the templates so they match up with the straight grain and cross grain. When you cut triangles, your ... Read More...