Quilt in a Day Forums

I always have trouble getting a straight edge when sewing quilt strips at a 45 degree angle. I'm talking about border strips, not binding. I know about having the "ears" extend, but it seems I always end up with a little jog on the edge that should be straight. Can anybody reveal the secret?

Thanks,
Linda

Linda, I can't help you with your question, someone will be along that can, I'm sure. But I have to ask, where in Montana do you live? carol/kittyquilt

Hi Kittyquilt,

I've lived all over Montana. Mostly in Big Sky now. Have you spent time here?

I don't know any secret, except that I mark a small dot at the 1/4 inch seam allowance on each piece (in a 1/4 inch and down 1/4 inch) - stick a pin thru the two dots and then line up the seam from there I use the pin straight thru the fabrics to hold them in place, then add a pin next to it to hold the seam for sewing. If you flip the dot pin to hold for sewing it sometimes moves the fabric out of place and gives you a jog in the fabric - I am lousy at words - wish I could draw you a picture. Hope that this might help

Jana

auntjana I don't know if you helped linda55 or not, but you sure helped ME!! lol! I'm working on a quilt that sews triangles to a hexagon with very sketchy directions. The very first triangle says to start sewing at the edge of the seam allowance for 1/2 inch...and shows a picture with a pin sticking straight down....just like you described it! Thank you SOOOOO much for your explanation!!

Joanne:0)

Those are bias edges, they stretch very easily. You need to starch heavily and handle them very very carefully. The weight of the fabric when you pick it up can stretch it.

One of of my quilting teachers told us to rotate atrips. If you sew one, then turn it around and sew what was the bottom strip.

Are the ends cut at a 45º before sewing or do you sew the 45º and then cut? I have better results cutting the ends at a 45º first because the ends match up leaving the dog ears sticking out 1/4 inch.

When you lay the top piece on the bottom be sure they are 45 degrees. Then be sure to stitch exactly in the "v" area where the two pieces are overlapped. If you miss starting in the "v" and ending in the bottom upside down "v" you will not have even and straight sides. Then cut the excess off leaving a 1/4 inch. I hope I make sense. Latrice

I have real trouble matching seams on triangle blocks that go in different directions, hope that makes sense! have tried pinning and matching 'ears' but I cannot match them all the time, just 3 out of 5!!! anyone got any tips???
Thanks