Need help - triangle insets causing fabric to 'bubble'
#1
I am making a Double Star quilt for my dad in red, white and blue (really pretty) using a pattern I got from http://equiltblocks.com/four/Double_Star.gif
I had to enlarge it (I don't like 6" blocks) and it is going ok - BUT. I made a bunch of the triangle insets (pieces 1,2,3..) and I am setting them into piece 13 (the large star) by hand since I have no luck with setting odd shapes by machine. However, I have made 4 blocks so far and the large star is raising up (bubbling) instead of laying flat. I cut the large stars on the bias and am gently stetching by hand as I sew the insets. I am pretty sure I can press the bubble out and I am going to wash the quilt top before I quilt it to see if it will shrink out a bit but can anyone tell me if there is a better method before I do the rest of the blocks?
I had to enlarge it (I don't like 6" blocks) and it is going ok - BUT. I made a bunch of the triangle insets (pieces 1,2,3..) and I am setting them into piece 13 (the large star) by hand since I have no luck with setting odd shapes by machine. However, I have made 4 blocks so far and the large star is raising up (bubbling) instead of laying flat. I cut the large stars on the bias and am gently stetching by hand as I sew the insets. I am pretty sure I can press the bubble out and I am going to wash the quilt top before I quilt it to see if it will shrink out a bit but can anyone tell me if there is a better method before I do the rest of the blocks?
#2
I'm not sure I have an answer but I think the problem is in the "stretching" part. If anything stretches you will have a problem. Looks to me like you need to adjust size of triangles to avoid the stretch. Maybe someone else has a better answer.
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Glenmoore, PA
Posts: 7,941
Originally Posted by JNCT14
I am making a Double Star quilt for my dad in red, white and blue (really pretty) using a pattern I got from http://equiltblocks.com/four/Double_Star.gif
I had to enlarge it (I don't like 6" blocks) and it is going ok - BUT. I made a bunch of the triangle insets (pieces 1,2,3..) and I am setting them into piece 13 (the large star) by hand since I have no luck with setting odd shapes by machine. However, I have made 4 blocks so far and the large star is raising up (bubbling) instead of laying flat. I cut the large stars on the bias and am gently stetching by hand as I sew the insets. I am pretty sure I can press the bubble out and I am going to wash the quilt top before I quilt it to see if it will shrink out a bit but can anyone tell me if there is a better method before I do the rest of the blocks?
I had to enlarge it (I don't like 6" blocks) and it is going ok - BUT. I made a bunch of the triangle insets (pieces 1,2,3..) and I am setting them into piece 13 (the large star) by hand since I have no luck with setting odd shapes by machine. However, I have made 4 blocks so far and the large star is raising up (bubbling) instead of laying flat. I cut the large stars on the bias and am gently stetching by hand as I sew the insets. I am pretty sure I can press the bubble out and I am going to wash the quilt top before I quilt it to see if it will shrink out a bit but can anyone tell me if there is a better method before I do the rest of the blocks?
#4
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
i have found when hand piecing and insetting pieces it is best to draw your lines and put dot's at the 1/4" corner marks so you inset without sewing too far into the seam allowance. I do not recommend washing your top before quilting and binding it. that can cause you tons of head-aches. just press well, any (fullness) can usually be quilted into (submission) and then when you wash and dry the finished quilt it will all come together just fine. but for accuracy try drawing the lines before stitching.
#6
Actually Grann of 6 is right - I am easing the triangle insets into the big star. So I marked my 1/4" seam allowances on the insets and the big star and then put a pin into where the seam allowances intersect on both pieces. Its weird - they match fine, but again I end up with fullness in the big star. CK - thanks for the advise on NOT washing the piece first - I ususally don't but I thought maybe it would help in this instance. I wil also try starching the pieces, and definitely quilt the thing into submission! I am thinking about doing FMQ by putting in the Pledge of Allegiance as the quilt pattern - maybe people will be so interested in reading it that they won't see the flaws! :-)
#7
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,660
Are you handpiecing this block?
Pressing is going to be important in this block.
Sometimes I will handpiece one block (only sewing on the seam lines and leaving the seam allowances unsewn) to see which way will be the best way to press it.
Then I will go on to machine piece the rest of them.
Pressing is going to be important in this block.
Sometimes I will handpiece one block (only sewing on the seam lines and leaving the seam allowances unsewn) to see which way will be the best way to press it.
Then I will go on to machine piece the rest of them.
#8
Originally Posted by bearisgray
Are you handpiecing this block?
Pressing is going to be important in this block.
Sometimes I will handpiece one block (only sewing on the seam lines and leaving the seam allowances unsewn) to see which way will be the best way to press it.
Then I will go on to machine piece the rest of them.
Pressing is going to be important in this block.
Sometimes I will handpiece one block (only sewing on the seam lines and leaving the seam allowances unsewn) to see which way will be the best way to press it.
Then I will go on to machine piece the rest of them.
#9
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,660
Originally Posted by JNCT14
Originally Posted by bearisgray
Are you handpiecing this block?
Pressing is going to be important in this block.
Sometimes I will handpiece one block (only sewing on the seam lines and leaving the seam allowances unsewn) to see which way will be the best way to press it.
Then I will go on to machine piece the rest of them.
Pressing is going to be important in this block.
Sometimes I will handpiece one block (only sewing on the seam lines and leaving the seam allowances unsewn) to see which way will be the best way to press it.
Then I will go on to machine piece the rest of them.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
knlsmith
Main
33
11-23-2013 06:01 AM
girliegirl
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
19
11-01-2011 05:18 PM
DeniseP
Main
60
10-04-2010 08:17 PM