The Point is....

Recently I judged a small quilt show in Golden, TX, at the Sweet Potato Festival. It started me thinking about why points don't always come out perfectly in our quilts.

One of the reasons is it is So Very Important to cut accurately. It's so easy to think "that's close enough". I've done it. I will shave a hair too much off a piece and think I will allow for it in the seam allowance and then, when it comes time to piece, I forget, or don't realize it is that piece that I should be careful of.

If you find you have done that, I recommend placing a pin in the edge of the piece you cut that is "off". That will help you remember, when you are ready to sew, that this is where you must allow for the error in cutting.

If you are trying to ease fabric in a short area (like a 2" length) you are probably going to find the fabric buckling or bulging on one side. It is too short a length to do much fudging. It is really better, in the long run, to simply cut another unit the correct size and replace the offender. Do it right away. Don't wait until your top is pieced and then try to change it out. It is just a mess to do later.

Bands or Bows?

Have you ever tried to sew "bands" of strips together? If so you have probably had to deal with the "rainbow" effect. That's when your band starts to curve. The reason? Your tension is probably not set correctly. If your tension is too tight (very common) it will create a slight pull in your seam, and over the 42" length your seam will start to curve. If you sew one strip together and notice this, adjust your tension.

Another reason for the curve may be that you are not pressing well. Press the seams to the darker fabric and "wiggle" the iron as you move along the seam. Hold the fabric straight to help keep it from bowing. Remember, press from the RIGHT side.

If your pattern calls for seams that are pressed open, press them first to one side. Check to be certain the two strips have no bow in them, then press the seam open from the BACK side. Don't forget to wiggle the iron as you press along the length of the seam.

The math behind "half square" & "quarter square triangles"

Be sure you know what size to cut! Sometimes there are errors in patterns. If you know the basic math behind these common units you can avoid cutting and piecing errors... and a whole lot of grief.

Layering and basting your quilt

If you have had problems when you quilt, with the bottom having pleats or puckers sewn in, it could be because you are not layering it right. Read here to see if there is a step you are missing. You'll be surprised at how easy it will be to quilt without problems if you layer and baste correctly.

How to sew half square triangles (HST's) and quarter square triangles (QST's)

This shows in clear graphics how to successfully sew half square triangles units without templates.

Quarter square triangle units are also shown without having to use templates.

Piped binding instructions

This pdf gives you instructions for putting the piping on between the binding and your quilt. You do it at the same time that you sew the binding on. It is a wonderful way to get that "accent" color and also makes it simple to do the whole binding by machine. No hand sewing is required.

Master for paper foundation piecing 2" finished size HST's.

This master is also what I used in the video about creating HST's without having to tear paper off! It's done using Freezer Paper. Watch the video here.

Creating Collages with Foil on Fabric

These are written instructions on how to apply foil adhesive different ways and then how to apply foil.

Watch the video here on foiling. This video shows how I use plants with foil. I love the way you can get the veins and how life like the images are.

Reverse Applique using fusible thread

This is a great way to use sun fabrics or fabrics that have large shapes printed on them. It adds a lot of interest without a lot of work.

Wild Roses Line Drawing and Written Instructions

This is TWO PDF files... one is the line drawing with a color picture you can use as a reference. One is written instructions for how I did it.