Diagonal (aka on-point) Setting Question

Whenever I make a diagonal set quilt, I cut the blocks as usual - straight of grain. Make sure that you cut the setting triangles so that the edges are straight of grain. For the side and top and bottom triangles, large squares are cut, then cut in both directions diagonally. The corner triangles are made from a square, cut once diagonally. With the edges of the quilt on the straight of grain, and the quilting finished, a diagonal set quilt is just as stable as a straight set quilt.

Roberta & Susan,

I did cut my setting triangles as you suggested (I followed EQ directions), so it looks like I'm safe thus far for those. They are sitting in a pizza box to keep them from getting handled & possible getting wonky. I'll remember to handle the bias edge gently when sewing them.

From what you said, I just need to be careful how I handle the quilt top until after it is quilted. That's a relief!

Thanks to both of you for your help :-). Bev > Whenever I make a diagonal set quilt, I cut the blocks as usual - straigh= t

I cut so the edge of the triangle that will be on the outside is on the straight of grain. I have fewer problems applying a border that way.

Then when I pin, I put the bias piece on the table with the straight piece on top. I don't hold the pieces in my hand to pin because I am afraid I would stretch the bias one.

The usual compromise is to cut the setting triangles appropriately so that the horizontal and vertical sides joined to the borders are all on grain. IMHO it's edges that get handled lots that are the problem, not necessarily which direction they lie, so the edges of the blocks, which are likely to be handled a fair bit and sit around in piles before you construct a top want to be on grain regardless of how you are going to use them. I've seen on point sets that have been made from all squares, no attention to correctness in the setting triangles, care in the contruction and dense enough quilting seems to work reasonably well, it might puff slightly differently when washed, but that isn't always a bad thing.

Cheers Anne

Once the borders are one, you don't need to handle it any more carefully than any other quilt top, it's the hanging it vertically with the weight of the back and batting and not enough quilting that will start to have an effect on vertical sections that are cut on the bias. If you baste flat on the floor or a table it's no different to basting another quilt, any large area at that stage has the potential to be stretched along the bias regardless of a straight or on point set - so it's a potential problem with any quilt, which is why it helps to view the quilt from different angles and be sure the key lines a straight and at the correct angle to each other.

Cheers Anne

I have made a number of quilts on the diagonal and alway make my blocks the same as I do for a horizontal layout. For me it has been a nonissue when I am not using sashing inbetween the blocks. I suppose though that some quilt designs my have issue when cut on the diagonal espcially if a sashing is used. I would think in those instances there might be a bit of pull from the weight of hte quilt. julia