SandraD

I am self taught and may have bit off more than I can chew with this pattern. It is a lot of triangles, diamonds, etc. and I'm having trouble matching points. My seam ripper and I have become very close. Does anybody have any tips/tricks to matching points? Here's a link to the pattern:

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/projec...n-throw_1.html

Any advice is MUCH appreciated. Thanks!

cherylynne

Just finger press your seams and then push them together. You can feel when they are as close as they need to be. I really think that the key is to not press with an iron.

CoyoteQuilts

When putting diamonds together make sure there is a 'tail' hanging over each end---one each piece, when you put the pieces under the pressure foot make sure your needle hits 1/4 inch in and the 'tails' go on each side of the needle.

When sewing the rows together place a needle at the seam 1/4 inch in from edge on 1st row then place the same needle through your next row the same way. You will get an X shape with the seam where the pin is located.

You CAN NOT match your seams at the raw edge of your blocks and row. You HAVE to match where the seam is gonna' be.

Clear as mud? I hope not. I'm sure others will have other suggestions.

Good luck....

maine ladybug

I put a pin straight down through the point of the point. Then I line it up with the other fabric and stick it straight down. With it straight up and down, I place another pin on either side of it, then remove the one that is straight up and down. This should hold the fabric just were you want it to sew.

BKrenning

Starch, Starch & more Starch. Diamonds are as tricky as triangles. Try not to handle the bias edges overly much and do not tug on them!

Except for the setting triangles, you could cut all these as squares--even the sashing & cornerstones, I believe, and use a diagonal set. It's very close to your diamonds but no bias edges to deal with. I'm attaching a photo.

SandraD

Oh my gosh!! THANK YOU THANK YOU. I came home from work and anxiously tried this method and all my points are spot on!!! You are awesome! I was putting the pin in vertically but the material would shift. I hadn't even thought of then pinning on each side. Perfect! This worked great - thanks again.

maine ladybug

I'm soooo happy I could help you!! Just one more tip, if you don't mind? I now use the fork pins that you can buy at your LQS. That way once you have your pin in straight down you can get both sides of it with one fork pin. It works the same way as the two pins.

SandraD

I will look for these! Thanks again. I just love that the points are all so well matched. It makes me look like I know what I'm doing!

SuzanneG

I am so glad you found a solution that worked for you! But don't underestimate the benefits of starch. I make my own from corn starch and water and use it every time I know my quilt will have lots of stretchy bias pieces to work with. It saves so many headaches and makes the whole process go so much smoother. :wink:

mamaw

Pin on both sides of each intersection...that was a great learning point for me.