Triangles

[Stargatefan]

I'm in the process of a making a couple of table runners with the Ohio Star pattern and am having trouble with the blocks as they seem to have almost curved edges instead of straight. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong and am looking for some advice. I have a feeling it's me because my triangles always seem to be like this. I first started piecing individual tri's when I first started quilting and then learned how to make triangles by sewing squares together. Still, my edges bulge/curve a bit.
Thanks!

[SharonG/FL]

Stargatefan, I'm also in Central Florida....over on the Gulf Coast north of Tampa.

See if using this pattern for your Ohio Star will help. I very rarely use individual triangles if I can do it this way. Keep us posted.

http://www.quiltingartsforum.com/bom8_1 ... m8_12.html

[sewbug]

You may be holding the fabric back while sewing the seam, having the feeddogs pull it from you fingers. That will cause all kinds of problems with triangles. I can't think of any other reason why you would have this problem.

[ctherrie]

I think sewbug is probably right. The bias edge if pulled on will stretch and that would cause the bowing. If you let the machine pull the fabric thru, and you keep an accurate quarter inch seam all the way to the end you should be accurate. I use a bamboo skewer to hold my pieces thru all the way to the end so they don't curve off one way or the other. Also press by using an up and down motion not sideways. You can do alot of damage pressing. If you want to press to the dark side have that side facing up. Set the seam first by pressing while still folded then open and press with an up and down motion. Have you ever been to Brenda Hennings website she created triangulations. If you love accuracy, you will love her website.

[Stargatefan]

Thanks ladies. With a little work, I noticed that the feed dogs on the machine grab my material and if I'm not holding it, it turns the material cock-eyed. I wonder if machines need to be aligned? Well, it's due for some maintenance and after I get some of my work done, I'm taking it in for it's 5,000 mile check up
Also thanks for the site. I'll check it out.

[norwich]

When it comes to half-square triangles, I usually make them a little bigger and then square them up perfectly. It only takes another minute and the results, I think, are worth it.

[Granma2five]

My machine was 'tracking' wrong and did have to be aligned. I have a computerized baby lock. You might ask your dealer/repairman about this. Once he re-aligned it, it tracked straight and didn't pull my fabric sideways anymore. Hope this helps. Otherwise, the skewer or stiletto trick really helps. I have also found that spraying sizing or starch on triangles gives them a stiffness that really helps them feed better through my machine.

Good luck!