What is the secret to getting such nice points in quilts - I have a terrible time not squishing some of them - I notice how beautiful Kathyl's are - and so many others on here do beautiful ones too ... maybe that's why I like applique better than piecing. I'm a lost cause.
Sharon (N.B.)
There are several places to take care when making points. They seem obvious, but need to be stressed. First, cut accurately. If you are doing strips, make sure you don't move your ruler as you cut. Get some little sandpaper or rubber dots for your ruler if you find it travels. Double check your strip size every so often. Second, sew consistently accurate seams! I tend to waver when doing long seams. So I've started using the trick of sticking a stack of 10 or so sticky notes on my quarter inch mark. This gives me a little "dam" to hold my fabric against while feeding it into the needle. Third. And I can't quite figure out how to put this into words. I know someone else will jump in and clarify. A point (star, triangle...whatever) will not go to the edge of the fabric. There should be a 1/4" seam allowance beyond the point. If you find you have sewn that correctly, but then are cutting it off with the next seam; sew from the side where you can see the seams that cross to make that point. Then sew the next seam right where they cross, or even a thread or two narrower so the point shows when pressed. And for very pointy projects, like a mariner's compass, new york beauty, etc.....paper foundation piecing is very reliable and consistent.
I think it is cruel, atrocious and heinous that SO many illustrations for piecing quilt blocks show the point going all the way to the edge. The result, if you achieve that, is the point will be chopped off by ¼" when it is enclosed in a seam. Earlier quilting magazines and books did indeed show the points all the way to the edge. I did bring my dressmaking experience with me to the quilting art but clairvoyance was not part of the package. GRRRR! Well, my goodness. I had no idea I could get so worked up on the subject of points. Please pass the chocolate. Polly
I don't know what machine you are using, but Bernina 1/4" feet have a series of marks at the appropriate places on the sides of the foot, that show when you come to the end of the stitching line at the edge of the fabric, and thereby leave the appropriate 1/4" left un-sewn. Some of the other mfgrs feet may have the same marking or notches, and that is a great help in sewing it just sew far and no farther. As others have said, accuracy in cutting is essential and accuracy in sewing a straight and true line, and pressing over the sewn seam to a consistent direction, is important. I also think that if you are working with smaller pieces it is more demanding than larger pieces. At least that has been my experience, and all I do is traditional piecing patterns. I try to maintain consistency in the way I iron the edges of the seams.
John
All excellent points! Ha Ha, get the pun?? May I add another?
When sewing points, whenever possible, try to put the seam of the point under the sewing machine needle first. Imagine sewing a HST to a solid square. Instead of starting at the two solid corners, start at the corner where the there are the three fabrics - a solid corner and a seamed corner. Clear as mud?? Anyway, that works wonders and I use that trick whenever possible.
Lorraine in La Center
I agree that accurate cutting is the first priority. I have also found that after constructing block 1 w/points, if I'm matching to another point, accurate pinning is the next most critical step. I place a pin straight through the seam/point on the top block and then straight through the seam/point on the bottom block. While keeping that pin perpendicular to the fabric, I then put pins on either side of the original one. I have also found that pressing seams open vs. to one side, helps tremendously in matching those points. I recently finished a quilt top with I think it was about 80+ 6.5 in. star blocks. Pressing open was the only way to fly! I also press every seam as I work. Tedious at best but the results are worth it.
Kim in NJ
I find pinning to match the points, and then putting a pin on both sides of the original pin, and then basting over the points, really helps, although it is considerably more work.
Martha
When I heard the basting with large stitches across a pointy junction tip, I adopted it for those which seemed as if they might be a risk to sew with just the pins! I was thrilled with the results, and didn't mind the extra few minutes. Compare that with the time and frustration of having to unpick and re-sew! . In message , Martha writes
I was quite proud of myself when I realized that it was okay to baste across points. Don't know why it didn't occur to me sooner. You're quite right, Patti. Basting won't kill you and is certainly nicer than picking out stitching. Kinder to the fabrics too. Polly
"Patti" When I heard the basting with large stitches across a pointy junction
Thanks everyone for all the wonderful suggestions - I'm keeping a little log of everything recommended and will try even harder next time I'm playing with points. Some of the points in this quilt I'm making are okay, some aren't, but they're staying put - maybe once it's quilted they won't look so bad.
Sharon (N.B.)
If you are sewing a plain strip across a point, try to stitch with the point side up, so you can see where you are stitching. It isn't always possible, but helps when it is....
And I read through all of the responses before posting, so I wouldn't duplicate anyone else's. Something I discovered just in the last month, is that my eyesight isn't what it used to be. So, I've started wearing my magnifier glasses to pin, and amazingly enough, things come out much better when I can actually see what I'm pinning. LOL. Imagine that!!
TerriLee in WA (state)
The modern electronic Berninas have a provision for mounting a set of magnifying lenses on the front of the machine so as to view the pressure foot area, and for those that need that feature, they can be a godsend. I have often thought about having a set of close view magnifying glasses on a chain around my neck, so as to improve my close vision more than the bi-focals that I already use. Food for thought.
John
I have a pair of glasses made for sewing.. Had to take measurements from where my eyes were to where the SM needle was and she prescribed them. Work wonders when I remember to use them. Also have the magnifying lamp but it's rather cumbersome for the SM.
Butterfly (Anything to make that seam stay straight)
The modern electronic Berninas have a provision for mounting a set of magnifying lenses on the front of the machine so as to view the pressure foot area, and for those that need that feature, they can be a godsend. I have often thought about having a set of close view magnifying glasses on a chain around my neck, so as to improve my close vision more than the bi-focals that I already use. Food for thought.
John
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