Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Quilt Math Help Please! >
  • Quilt Math Help Please!

  • Quilt Math Help Please!

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 09-23-2015, 11:05 PM
      #1  
    Junior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Jan 2013
    Location: Kansas City, MO
    Posts: 255
    Default Quilt Math Help Please!

    I'm working on a baby quilt loosely based on one I saw online but I'm having a devil of a time figuring out how big to cut triangles (it's always the triangles, those troublemakers). The quilt I saw was for sale on etsy but there was no pattern to buy. Can anyone help? The first pic is the overall design, for reference. The second pic is finished "block" dimensions. The third pic is my current dilemma. I dutifully added 1/4" to each side and included the 1/4" when factoring angle cuts but my triangle is still too small to get the correct seam allowances without taking 1/2" seam allowances along the point of the triangle. Agrrr! Can anyone tell me the dimensions I need to cut for the triangles to keep my 1/4" seam and my points? Thanks in advance.
    Attached Thumbnails yellowribbonsmall.png   triangle-problem.png   trianglesmall.jpg  
    trivia42 is offline  
    Old 09-24-2015, 01:55 AM
      #2  
    Gay
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2012
    Location: S.E. Queensland, Australia
    Posts: 1,480
    Default

    My sketch is a bit wonky but it should work. You may prefer to cut to the 1/4" instead of 1/8", gives you a tad more to plat with. I would begin sewing from the bottom end of the triangle for the first seam


    If this is too small the upright line is 6 1/8" and the bottom is 4 1/8"
    Hop it works for you
    Attached Thumbnails 5in-triangle.jpg   5in-triangle.jpg  

    Last edited by Gay; 09-24-2015 at 02:07 AM. Reason: trying to remove second image
    Gay is offline  
    Old 09-24-2015, 02:42 AM
      #3  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Location: Southern California
    Posts: 19,127
    Default

    I try to stay away from anything this complicated. I have never found bias edges to be friendly no matter how much starch you spray.
    ManiacQuilter2 is offline  
    Old 09-24-2015, 03:41 AM
      #4  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2011
    Location: Tn
    Posts: 8,966
    Default

    Because it is cut at an angle and not you needed to measure extra. I would add an extra 1/4 in to the cuts you are making now. Start sewing from the tip of the triangle and trim off any from the bottom
    cjsews is offline  
    Old 09-24-2015, 04:10 AM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    GingerK's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 3,559
    Default

    Yes, I would also start sewing from the tip so that you do not lose the angle if you have to trim for length. But remember to position the top of the triangle so that it overlaps the top of the main piece. Try using a couple of pins to simulate the stitched seam to get the correct placement.
    GingerK is offline  
    Old 09-24-2015, 05:03 AM
      #6  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: MN
    Posts: 24,581
    Default

    Another country heard from - - -

    I think this might turn out better if you made the finished size of the base of the triangle 4.25 inches instead of 3.25 inches.

    I draw the 1/4 inch seam lines on the points of those triangles and then match the intersections and pin - I have had better results leaving the "extra" on the point than when I try to cut the point off and attempt to "save" a bit of fabric.
    Attached Thumbnails triangle.jpg   attach.jpg  

    Last edited by bearisgray; 09-24-2015 at 05:20 AM.
    bearisgray is offline  
    Old 09-24-2015, 05:19 AM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Feb 2013
    Posts: 2,657
    Default

    Bear, I always love look g at the sketches you draw and your explanations. Wish you lived in Texas.
    Misty's Mom is offline  
    Old 09-24-2015, 05:30 AM
      #8  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: MN
    Posts: 24,581
    Default

    PS - I know that those pinned pieces look like they won't end up "right" with those ends sticking out - but with the marking and pinning - they do!

    It does take a moment or two to mark the pieces -and pin them together - but until one gets to be able to "eyeball" them - it really is worth the effort. I still do - at least the first half dozen or so - until I "know" how they are supposed to go.

    Another "trick" I learned along the way -

    If I draw a block out on graph paper like it's supposed to look - and the pieces are "odd" -

    Then I cut out each piece needed for a template and glue it to a piece of template plastic and then add seam allowances to the piece. It's easier for me to cut around a template than to have to "think" about what I am doing.

    Last edited by bearisgray; 09-24-2015 at 05:33 AM.
    bearisgray is offline  
    Old 09-24-2015, 05:31 AM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    PenniF's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jun 2012
    Location: North Texas formerly The Burgh
    Posts: 3,392
    Default

    If it were me...i'd paper piece this one. Draw it out in a segment....the gray, black and yellow - with seam allowances around the entire outside perimeter only. (remember you need a mirror image if you want it exactly like your picture)...and then make enough copies. This pattern just calls out for paper piecing....and even if you haven't done it before, it would be a very easy one. Best of good luck.
    PenniF is offline  
    Old 09-24-2015, 05:44 AM
      #10  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: MN
    Posts: 24,581
    Default

    My measurements are "off" for what the original poster is trying to accomplish - - - - but what's given by the OP did not match up when I tried to draw it -

    Back to thinking - - - - (blush)

    Last edited by bearisgray; 09-24-2015 at 05:49 AM.
    bearisgray is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    wildyard
    Main
    4
    01-16-2019 05:05 PM
    michelleoc
    Main
    8
    08-03-2014 08:38 AM
    LucyInTheSky
    Main
    11
    05-04-2010 04:48 AM
    jetnica
    Main
    5
    03-31-2010 05:54 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter