MeMeX8

Sew much good information! I find that I do better if I cut w/rotary cutter and mat than using templates, I cut exactly on the ruler line (use caution at the ends of the cut that you dont move the ruler though). When you press your seams, just press them and do not iron them. The iron stays put, dont slide back and forth, (that will stretch the bias edge every time.) If your squares are still off, that is when I cut a 1-1/2 to 2" strip and sew around the block and then use my size up ruler & make them the exact size I need. Sometimes, that little strip just makes the quilt. (At least thats what I rationalize with myself)
Bottom line, dont give up. Practice will sometimes be frustrating, but the end project will be worth it.

jamannix

Hi Sunny Cat-
I hated using starch - it always seemed to create flakes on my darker fabrics.
However, Mary Ellen's "Best Press" Clear Starch Alternative is great and it can
be purchased scent-free or scented. It keeps my fabrics slightly stiffer so that
aligning them goes much more easily.
Judy

distar2

I just tried making the pinwheel blocks by using the tutorial i found suggested on this site at missouriquiltco.com and they turned out beautiful. they show how to using charm pack squares which are just 5" squares but you could make them from any size you wanted really using the same concept. they matched up and ironed beautifully and were very simple. check it out. :-)

Skyler

Don't be discouraged because your blocks are "off." I read somewhere that the Amish deliberately make a block "off" because only God is perfect, not mortal man. Has anyone else ever heard this? Anyway I think your quilt will be beautiful even if there are "mistakes."

craftiladi

Thank-you so much for posting that , I spend so much time worrying my project isn't going to come out perfect I end up not enjoying the craft of quilting.

np3

My thoughts as well. Press as you go. They might not be as far off as you think and you can square them up from the center. Then you can decide if you need to do one over.

smitty

you can cut squares,(I do them 3/8" or so bigger than needed) then cut diagonally for your tri's.
you are sewing bias, so pin at the end of the seam. then press & square up each little block. then sew blocks for the pinwheel. Pin is not a dirty word. remember when you square blocks up that you need to have a ruler with the 45 degree on it so you can lay that on the diagonal for squaring. you usually take a little off each side instead of all off one side.
you might want to try one of the methods where you
sew on squares, then cut diagonally. google HST methods.
startching the strips BEFORE cutting helps too.
the accurate 1/4" seam is so important. test yourself before doing zillions of tri's. good luck !

bjnicholson

Thanks so much for your toot. your directions are great!

JACRN

Blocks are pretty fabrics.

JACRN

Blocks are pretty fabrics.