sophiebernina

Hello,

I've started piecing some of the 6" blocks in Lori Holt's Farm Girl Vintage book.

I am happy that I have my 1/4 in just right and with squares and rectangles I am getting the sizes right.

Where I am getting it wrong is when I have to place a small square in the corner of a larger square (or rectangle) and sew across the small square from corner to corner (in order to add a triangle to the corner of the larger piece of material). No matter what I do, when I fold back that small square it is off from the larger fabric, i.e. I'm not getting a perfect 90 degree angle. I am drawing on the line first and sewing right on the line.

Has anyone got any advice for me or pointers for where I am going wrong. I'm not out too much but enough to mess up the block.

p.s. I am starching and pressing (not ironing) my fabric before I cut it and I am using a dry iron.

I want to be having fun but this is getting me down

SB

Tartan

When you draw the line, that is the folding line. Sew beside the line on the outer edge. This should give you enough extra fabric for the fold over. Check before trimming the extra triangle fabric away. You can also OVER cut your square that goes to snowball the edges and trim after. I love Lori's patterns!

sewbizgirl

Use the original corner (the piece under the small square) as your guide as you press that top piece open. Line up the edges and don't worry about opening the seam all the way. Use the original corner as your pressing guide. THEN you can cut the excess fabric off under the top piece, once you have the seam pressed.

Now, if your small square's edges don't reach all the way to the original corner, you will have to sew the seam again, leaving a tad more seam allowance. Then pick the first stitching out.

One good hint when sewing these is to sew just barely to the inside of the line you drew... one thread's worth. That much fabric gets used up by the 'turning', when you press that top piece open.

Hope that was a little clearer than mud!

Girlfriend

Try using Aurifil thread - it's thinner without losing strength - and sewing just a scant off the drawn line. This will allow for the thickness of folding back that square.

sophiebernina

Thank you for the advice and so quickly too!

I will try stitching just to the side of the drawn line to allow for turn room. If I am still struggling I will try the oversize squares and then cut to size although I am quiet determined to get it right using the right sizes in the first place (even if it means having to pull more hair out!). Also I will press before I cut to make sure I'm squared.

Re Aurifil thread, this is what I am using, the 50 wt, I love the stuff! I've also got a nice thin needle (Microtex 70).

I can't wait to get cutting more blocks now. I am going to cut some practice pieces first though until I get it right instead of being so impatient and rushing right into working on the actual blocks.

bearisgray

You might also be cutting your squares "skimpy"

You could try cutting your squares about 1/16 of an inch larger than you are now cutting it - and then proceed as you have been.

jeanharville

Thanks for asking this question. I sometimes have the same problem and couldn't figure out why. And thanks to you who replied.

ManiacQuilter2

F&P have recently been discussing "snowball" blocks. I sew just inside the line (towards the center) I draw because there is that slight hump when block is pressed. Your line has to be absolutely accurate.

Bobbielinks

I believe Tartan has stated it very well. Stitch your folding line just a thread or two toward the outside of the corner.

Jingle

I do like Tartan said. If it isn't right I unsew and redo until it is right.