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Cindy's Tips

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I am having trouble getting my points to match. PDF Print E-mail
Dear Cindy,
I am piecing a quit called "Turkey Tracks" and having trouble getting the center to come out perfect.  There are 5 pieces in each of the corners and then the 12 in. block is not square.  I can't seen to set that many small pieces together and have that many points looking good and square.

Delores

Delores,

Good crisp points are not easy, especially if your pattern produces a smaller block (I'm talking less than 12" square) or has a lot of smaller triangle or other units. Here are some suggestions that may help: 

If you're piecing by machine, check the seam allowances. Are you using the same seam allowance measurement for all of your sewing? The easiest way to ensure this is to literally mark it right on the machine with masking tape. Take a piece of paper and mark a line 1/4" away from the edge. (1/4" is usually considered the basic.) Stitch down the marked line until the paper makes a useful guide. NOW take masking tape and lay it down on the machine's stitching bed (the area underneath the needle, etc. where the fabric usually rests), following the edge of the paper. The best thing to do, once you've accomplished this, is to build up some sort of raised surface so you can literally slide your joined fabric patches along the 'lip' as you sew, in order to keep the seam allowance consistent. Some people like to just keep adding layers of masking tape. (You'll need quite a few.) Others cut a strip of  template plastic or wood -- anything that won't wear down easily -- then anchor it in place with tape. I personally use a magnetic business card backing anchored in place...but you MUST NOT do this on a machine that has computer workings, or you'll wreck it!  This should help.

Other options:
Using a ruler -- there are thin 'seam allowance' ones you can buy at your local quilt shop that work beautifully -- mark all the seam lines on all of your patches. Sew on the marked lines. This takes a long time, but produces good work. 

Even if you don't want to take the time to  mark all of your blocks,  take time to mark at least one block and stitch it. The lessons you learn  from this should help your piecing skills in general.  For maximum effect, mark the block patches, then hand piece the block! I learned a lot doing this.

I don't know how many quilts you have made  before -- but I do know that quilting, like many other skills, takes time and energy for perfection.  Many a quilter, especially in their beginnings, has pieced a block over and over and OVER, sometimes ripping out and stitching again, before they get it "right!" So if your quilt has some imperfections, don't blame yourself too much. The more you stitch, the better you will get. 
Good luck to you,
Cindy Brick

 
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