Ever since making this quilt helped me finally start figuring out all those modern patchwork shortcuts that everyone else has known about forever, I feel a whole world of possibilities opening up. The last time I made a quilt with triangles in it, I did math and figured out hypotenuses and stuff, and drew triangle templates, and cut out all the triangles individually and then pieced them together, and though I loved the results, it was as you can surely imagine, pretty time-consuming. At the time, I knew there was undoubtedly a better way, but I guess I felt it would just be easier to go with what I knew. And then I resolved never to work with triangles again.
But I want to make all kinds of quilts, so I got down to brass tacks and figured out a trick. This came to my on its own, though it’s so easy and obvious that it is most assuredly already out there in print and online resources. Anyway, here’s what I did:
Cut two squares (mine are 6 1/2”) and pin them together with right sides facing. Draw a line between two opposing corners.
Stitch on either side of the drawn line using the edge of your presser foot as a guide, which should yield a seam just shy of 1/4”. I think you can also get a 1/4” presser foot, made specifically, for patchwork, but anyhoo.
Cut on the drawn line.
Open and press.
When pieced into a quilt using the same seams throughout (which is what I do, I just use the width of my presser foot—I’m lazy) the finished size of the square is roughly 5 1/2”. As long as I use the same size seam throughout the quilt, the corners will all line up and my grandma would be really proud. Home free! [edit to add: Karen knows about the actual math here—scroll down the comments to learn even more].
I love learning new things. This almost-quilt is already the brightest thing in the room.
What a jolly looking quilt.
ReplyDeleteThis is just glorious Kristen, you are so clever. Beautiful happy colours which are so cheering xox Penny
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful! I really need to learn to use my sewing machine (still in it's box from last Christmas hahaha)
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple of magic numbers in quilting: for half-square triangles, add 7/8" to what you want your finished size to be; for quarter-square triangles, add 1.25". For your 6.5" squares to become 6" HST units, your seam allowance must be smaller than 1/4". But the beautiful thing about your HST quilt is that as long as you are consistent, you're fine. :) I just knew your fabric pull would look gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think you're right--my presser foot is just shy of 1/4". :)
DeleteThis is so smart! I'd love to sew up a quilt like this one
ReplyDeletehttp://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/
Thanks for sharing your clever quilting trick, Kristen. It is is a treat to learn from you :)
ReplyDeleteGracie xx
You are so clever! So simple when you explain it, and so effective, but unless you know how! I love coming to your blog, it always makes me feel cozy as the name suggests! xx
ReplyDeleteI love these. They're so easy. I'm lazy as well, I do my seams 1/4" because that's the width of my presser-foot too.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty!! I will have to remember your trick for when I eventually get a sewing machine of my own and break into quilts!
ReplyDelete- J
Just think how smart you are by working it out all on your own and making the connections that allow you to create your own freestyle patterns. This is a skill on its own.
ReplyDeleteThat is very pretty... Very colorful and happy.
ReplyDeleteThat makes a lot of sense.
ReplyDeleteLove the colours.
How cheerful! :-)
ReplyDeleteCarly
x
That's awesome! Lovely the colours/patterns :)
ReplyDeleteGlorious! Would you just look at all those great fabrics. Great job on the HST's.
ReplyDeleteYou can always tweak a quilt pattern ( like you do in knitting). It kills me when a pattern says to cut a square at 4 7/8". who wants to squint at all those tiny lines on a ruler? I always round up, cut it at 5" and trim it up later, if I even need to.
Can't wait to see this baby quilted!
Looks fabulous! I tend to make quilts with squares 'cause I can do them with my eyes shut (well, almost!) but I'm keen to give your triangles a go!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love the bright random colours, its going to be a beauty. Don't touches of yellow and red lift things?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the method too Kristen - i tend to just use the methods i know too, which are not usually the quickest, as i don't want to waste time learning something new when i'm on a roll, but this seems a great time saver!
Gill xx
So bright and cheerful. That's what I like about quilts. I only wish I could make them. My sister was the quilter, and I am the crocheters. I have several quilts that she made, and I cherish them. Love to watch what you are making, Kristen. xxoo. JO
ReplyDeleteThank you for giving me another project and better yet for offering a simple trick, some times lazy its the best way to go. Like I really need another project, but, I have done a quilt and this really is helping to get me started. I love it...thank you too for being so creative.
ReplyDeletegorgeous, great to find you x
ReplyDeleteI found you too, and I love this quilt. Might have to pull out the sewing machine again.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a great trick! I never would have thought of that. I think I'm going to make a quilt! XXXDee
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely Quilt! Thank you for sharing your trick! Alexa
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