I should learn, I don't know why I do it to myself, but accuracy and I don't mix when it comes to half square triangles. I thought I would start a simple weekend project yesterday. Note the word simple. A pack of charm squares purchased ages ago but I still love. I cut 52 squares from some Eggshell Kona Solid Cotton, did the diagonal line and sewing on both sides trick. So far so good, even used the starch ironing them out after trimming!
Then I started sewing them together. Randomly. Just thinking oh that one looks nice next to that one, la la la la. 5 squares to a row. If my life was a movie (ha!) this would be where the sinister music would be playing and the audience would be watching the heroine do something crucially wrong but unwittingly realize it! But no, the heroine is sewing her rows in la la land. All done and back to the ironing board to iron them and start pinning them together. To then realize that none of them match up, they are all over the place and that I should have trimmed them down after I ironed them flat, before I sewed them flat...... ohhhhhh! I will admit I did think about it but then decided not too as I was too impatient to sew them together and didn't want to waste my time by trimming them and thought I could just wing it. Yes, good one Helen!
So I then had no choice but to trim them all down to 4 inch squares! That was a fun way to waste a few hours!
And even then you would think I'd have sharp matching points, but no, some are still out. Look at that purple one, fourth row from the bottom, second on the left. So what have I learnt this weekend? Sew like
this Helen, it's less stress, less trimming, less accuracy and more you!
I should learn, I don't know why I do it to myself, but accuracy and I don't mix when it comes to half square triangles. I thought I would start a simple weekend project yesterday. Note the word simple. A pack of charm squares purchased ages ago but I still love. I cut 52 squares from some Eggshell Kona Solid Cotton, did the diagonal line and sewing on both sides trick. So far so good, even used the starch ironing them out after trimming!
Then I started sewing them together. Randomly. Just thinking oh that one looks nice next to that one, la la la la. 5 squares to a row. If my life was a movie (ha!) this would be where the sinister music would be playing and the audience would be watching the heroine do something crucially wrong but unwittingly realize it! But no, the heroine is sewing her rows in la la land. All done and back to the ironing board to iron them and start pinning them together. To then realize that none of them match up, they are all over the place and that I should have trimmed them down after I ironed them flat, before I sewed them flat...... ohhhhhh! I will admit I did think about it but then decided not too as I was too impatient to sew them together and didn't want to waste my time by trimming them and thought I could just wing it. Yes, good one Helen!
So I then had no choice but to trim them all down to 4 inch squares! That was a fun way to waste a few hours!
And even then you would think I'd have sharp matching points, but no, some are still out. Look at that purple one, fourth row from the bottom, second on the left. So what have I learnt this weekend? Sew like this Helen, it's less stress, less trimming, less accuracy and more you!
22 comments:
You crack me up! Iron before trimming... never starched mine before... does it make a difference? Love how it looks though. An extra work day is a little more pocket money for Christmas! Good luck!
I am exactly the same. I love pinwheels and triangle quilts but always have to resew and still get less than perfect results.
I just wanted to say that those fabrics are beautiful! I'm sure you will turn out a great looking project.
But it looks LOVELY! Why worry about the Quilt Police! No-one but you will be so critical. Enjoy your beautiful work!
It looks beautiful but wonky quilting is so much more relaxing. It's good when you don't want anything to match.
But oh so gorgeous!
I do the same thing over and over again - think I can get away with laziness and still be accurate. It rarely works for me either! But the quilt's looking great so far...
It certainly does look lovely now that you are on top of it. I don't do precise patchwork very often for the same reason. I seem to waste so much fabric getting everything into the correct size. It's really sad. :( Cherrie
It looks wonderful, though! I have accepted that when I make HSTs, I always make them bigger than I need then trim them to size. They're much more accurate, and once you know that's always part of the process, it doesn't feel like such a waste of time or fabric.
Oh screw it, Helen.....only God is perfect and you come a real close second, so don't give those pesky little off-kilter ones another thought! It's glorious....just like you!
Those are such pretty HSTs! I would be thrilled to have a finished project like that. Don't sweat it.....send it to me if you end up not liking it...I will love it!
Bummer! Your project is so beautiful though, and I'm sure only you will know that there are a few points AWOL. I love sewing with HSTs too, but also can't stand the weird way they all end up different sizes despite my best efforts to sew accurately 1/4" from the drawn line! I blame it on sewing along the bias. See? It's not our fault.
So reassuring that this happens to you - I thought I was the only one. I've started sewing things on foundation, very light foundation, to make sure it's as accurate as possible. I've put things away for years just because I'm upset the points aren't pointy enough!!
Oh man, I have had the same experience and thought process! Half square triangles are for those very "patient" sewing days! :) Your quilt looks beautiful though!
I vote we all decide that points aren't all supposed to match up. Like people, they can be individuals and every now and then you get a quirky one who just will not fall into line! I love quirky people, so how about we love quirky points? j-j
I love HSTs, but hate trimming them up! I've got a whole stack ready to sew up but no time to trim them! But yours look lovely - certainly worth the effort!!
Wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't pointed it out - and even then I'm struggling to see the problem.
Get over it and keep going. Once you've got the quilting done you'll be hard pushed to see it yourself!
Nice colours going on there!
I have the same problem sometimes, don't know how many chopped points I had when I made a pair of HST quilts.
It looks great anyway, I love the colours!
You're hilarious! I wouldn't have thought to square it up either. The quilt's looking great though. I never would have noticed that purple one.
Yes, there's a reason I go for the free form quilts. No one knows if its accurate or not!
Quilt Police alert!! I saw the purple one....!! But only cause I like the fabric!!
Have you tried Thangles, Helen? I got some the other day at the thrift store and they are great for perfect HST!
This post sounds SO familiar!
I have no fewer than three HST projects (one of them is a bag full of about 200 trimmed and starched squares because they were so EASY to produce I just kep going) that got abandoned for the same reason!
I'm not sure there's a good way to get them to match 100% of the time -- if you ever find out, let us know!
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