Tag Archives: piecing angles

A Little Starch and a Little Patience

Starburst Points Detail
Starburst Points Detail

 

With a little starch and a little patience, points will match without paper piecing.

This is the new quilt pattern I am working to release this month.  I am not ready to show the complete quilt, but here is a shot of the points matching both within blocks and from block to block.

I accomplished this by starching the fabric prior to cutting.  I then sewed my 1/4″ seams very carefully, slowing down as necessary to keep the fabric moving evenly.

The tricky part is matching acute angles accurately so the fabric is placed correctly in relation to the pieces around it before you start sewing.  For me, there are two methods that work well.

Method 1 – Using the needle as a reference

To use the needle as a reference, you need to know where your 1/4 is on your presser foot.   In my pictures, I actually took off the presser foot so the needle and fabrics would show.  On my machine, the left edge of the right feed dog is 1/4″ from the needle (Yes, I measured).

Bottom fabric for acute angle piecing
Bottom fabric for acute angle piecing

Align the bottom fabric along your 1/4″ seam line.

Note:  the presser foot is removed in this picture.

 

 

 

Top fabric for acute angle piecing
Top fabric for acute angle piecing

Align the top fabric along the same line, right sides together and edges even.

 

 

 

Now, lower the presser foot and start your seam.

Method 2:  Placing the extension point at 1/4″

This is basically the same method, but without using the needle as a reference.

Measuring angle extension for acute angle piecing
Measuring angle extension for acute angle piecing

Instead of using the needle and references on the machine, put the fabrics together.  Let the extension of the angle extend to  where the connection point between the two fabrics is 1/4 inch.  Again, have the right sides together and the edges even.  Pin the patches together and sew the seam.

Note, that your measurement can be checked when you bring the pieces against the needle to start showing using the references in method 1.

Both methods works with any angle pieces you are joining.

For more on piecing, I have a class called Polish Your Piecing. As well as acute angles, I cover sewing an accurate 1/4″ seam and sewing curves.  I am available for teaching at fabric stores and clubs.  Please contact me at ML@MLFiberArts.com to schedule a class or for further information.