diamond question

I am insetting nine-patches between the points of my diamond stars. What do I do about this? I'm worried it will mess up the next step. Obviously this quilt is just *that* much beyond my skill level. But we march on.

formatting link

Karen, Queen of Squishies

Reply to
Karen, Queen of Squishies
Loading thread data ...

I think it's because of this.

formatting link

Karen, Queen of Squishies

Reply to
Karen, Queen of Squishies

That makes sense. AND you know what you need to do, so get ripping and re-sewing!

Mary

Reply to
Mary in Rock Island IL

Oh I just can't, I so afraid of stretching them!

Karen, Queen of Squishies

Reply to
Karen, Queen of Squishies

Sorry Karen, but you are now going to have to do some unpicking. No way round it I fear. It is too well done so far to mess it up at this stage.

If you have done your 'Y' seams (when joining the diamonds together) by starting at one edge, pivoting, and then doing the other 'leg', you are storing up trouble for yourself. It is absolutely vital that the centre points of the star meet correctly. The best way of doing this is to start at the centre *every* time. OK so you have to do more seams, but it will make your centre correct. At the outside edges, you will have a tiny bit of 'fudge' room. Similarly, when you put the nine-patches in, fix them at the centre first, then at each seam junction and sew from the inside to the outside, every time.

It is possible that the 9-patches come out a bit different length to those of the diamonds. If need be, you could do a tiny seam adjustment where needed - I mean, just take in a tiny bit more on any rogue seam. . In message , "Karen, Queen of Squishies" writes

Reply to
Patti

Do exactly what Pat says. And also try basting just 2-3 stitches where the seams are supposed to meet along the edges of the diamonds and

9-patches. This may be an >Sorry Karen, but you are now going to have to do some unpicking. No way
Reply to
Roberta

maryelf had written this in response to

formatting link
:Hi Karen, I am Mary. First, if you take your stitches out well, you will not stretch any bias edges.

Do not use the ripper by going between the fabrics and riping down the center.

Instead, from one side of the seam, use the ripper to cut every third or fourth stitch. Then the whole seam will come apart effortlessly.

When you first start doing it this way it is a little awkward and you believe that it will take forever and ever. but it will not. And you will get used to doing it this way and happy that you learned.

Advice you received earlier about sewing the Y seams was sound. But wait, there is more!

These nine patches: The seams on the nine patches will, in a perfect world, align with the seams on the diamonds. Look at your pattern (and the photo of the quilt that inspired you) and you will see that this is true.

So, once you have taken apart the seams, check before you re-sew them to double check that you have cut correctly and stitched them all together with accurate 1/4 inch seams.

This being the case, sew the diamonds form the center out, stopping and backstitching 1/4 inch from the end so you can add the squares in.

When you add the squares, match the seams between nine patch and diamonds, don't just put them together and sew.

If there is not a perfect match, try EASING them before you give up completely.

I Wholeheartedly recommend reading Jan Krentz's books on diamonds:

Lone star, whatever, she has awesome suggestions for making these designs come together like you are a pro. First time, every time.

Good luck!

Mary

Karen, Queen of Squishies wrote:

-------------------------------------

##-----------------------------------------------## Delivered via

formatting link
Community of the NetWeb and RSS access to yourfavorite newsgroup - rec.crafts.textiles.quilting - 142359 messages andcounting! ##-----------------------------------------------##

Reply to
maryelf

Yup, Pat is right, I'm afraid. Time for the seam ripper. :( But it will be worth it in the end, Karen -- that's too beautiful a quilt (and you've already put too much work into it) to want to take half-measures now. You might want to mark the mid-point of the side of each diamond to make sure that the center of the 9-patch hits where it's supposed to; then you could ease in whatever is necessary. With all of these bias edges, starch (or sizing) is your friend! ;)

Reply to
Sandy

All of the below......and I'd add two points.

1) this is one of the places where you actually probably do want to pin before sewing. One pin at each place where seams are supposed to meet.

2) you just might find out that this piecing is easier for you to do by hand. Varies by person, but some folks do these seams better by hand. YMMV.

--pig

Reply to
Listpig

Hmm... good point.

Karen, Queen of Squishies

Reply to
Karen, Queen of Squishies

Oh. Oh my goodness. I've been watching this but had absolutely nothing to contribute but sympathy. I didn't realize that you were attempting to get all those Impossible tedious and very important meeting points precisely right with the SM. For sure and certainly - do them by hand first. Yesssss. Any dressmaker or tailor or hot-shot couture snazzy stitcher does not blush or apologize for needing to baste. If you are not comfortable with the permanence or sturdiness of handstitching, of course you can machine stitch over it ... but First: Nail those rascal points with a hand needle. OTOH ... I have a large, empty trash can in the sewing room and will help you add this to your growth and education and help you stomp the darn thing if that suits you. Nobody will die if you toss it over your shoulder and say 'lesson learned, bye'. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

Here's what I think is going to happen in January. I am going to cut new shapes to replace the ones in the wonky sections. If it turns out I have enough, then yes, Polly, you and I can toss the learning-curve sections. I am going to piece the pointy centers by hand, then maybe or maybe not by machine, paying close attention to which way I press the seams. That should do it, as my y-seams for sticking the nine-patches in between the outer points have turned out great. THEN - I'll probably be back asking questions, as there is a very, as in very, narrow border around this that goes in and out and in and out and... well, you get the picture. I have put it away because I need to do a quickie-quilt first, but I am eager to get back to this gorgeous fabric and boggling pattern. GRIN! and thank you all ever so much.

Karen, Queen of Squishies

Polly Esther wrote:

Reply to
Karen, Queen of Squishies

On Fri, 4 Dec 2009 12:07:05 -0600, Karen, Queen of Squishies wrote (in article ):

Spray starch first. It might help prevent some of the stretching. Then slow, slow, slow ripping. You can do this!

Maureen

Reply to
Maureen Wozniak

On Fri, 4 Dec 2009 13:58:48 -0600, maryelf wrote (in article ):

I second the book recommendation. It's called Lone Star Quilts and Beyond by Jan Krentz. I did my Lone Star wall hanging by following her instructions.

formatting link
Using the blocking cloth per the instructions in the book helped a lot with managing to get things lined up. Also, try basting a couple of stitches at each intersection before you sew the seam. You can check and adjust the basting as needed to get everything line up properly.

Reply to
Maureen Wozniak

You know, I think half the trouble with this is the word 'ripping' >g< It just *sounds* so violent. Even 'un-picking' sounds destructive. I think we should stick to un-sewing!! much more gentle. (Just thought of this!). . In message , Maureen Wozniak writes

Reply to
Patti

Karen, once you take it apart be sure to verify that all your diamonds, triangles and squares are the same size. If not, then it will never go together whether you stitch by hand or machine. You really need to read Jan Krentz's book Lone Star Quilts. She can guide you thru this.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Reply to
Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.

On order from Amazon seller. So many people have recommended this book, I'm really looking forward to her instuctions. Thanks, Leslie, and all.

Karen, Queen of Squishies

Reply to
Karen, Queen of Squishies

That's impossible. By me, anyway. :-)

ep

Reply to
Edna Pearl

....and me too Edna

Dee in Oz

Reply to
Dee in Oz

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.