A Refresher

A few posts ago, I mentioned a little quilt I am working on for someone special....

This is simply a triangle quilt...using an equilateral triangle ruler...

but sometimes triangle quilts are anything but simple.

I am using a method for piecing that I think works very well with triangles.  If I remember correctly, I saw this technique the first time in a quilt book by Sandy Klop.  I think it deserves repeating...

First determine the size triangle you want to use....I am using a Fons and Porter triangle ruler.

Following the grid on the ruler...cut a strip from two different fabrics the size required for your triangles.  I am cutting my strips 5" by the width of the fabric.  Stitch the strips together {right sides facing} on both long edges.  ** I like to cut my strips in half so I have a 22" strip.  That way I can mix up my fabrics.  In other words, I don't necessarily always want the same two fabrics next to each other**      

Begin on the left side of your strips, and placing the ruler so only half of the triangle is along the edge make a cut.  This cut is just to get the angle for cutting more sets.  

 

 Simply flip the ruler and match the left hand side along the previous cut and cut again...on the right hand side....repeat...

Now unpick the small tip of the triangle set...

       

Your triangle will look like this...

 

I like to press the seams open.

Once you have sets stitched an cut, it's time to piece them together in diagonal rows.

I have found that piecing these in diagonal rows helps to keep the points nice and pointy.  A single triangle will need to be added to the beginning and the end of each row.

Of course, each row added will be longer than the previous row...

 

As you keep adding rows, you will begin to decrease the triangles in the rows once you have the width...I like to lay it all out and number the rows before stitching everything together...

Once all your rows are stitched together, you will need to trim up the sides to make them straight.    

I like this method...give it a try or tell me if you have used this method before...

  

Hopefully, I will have a finished quilt to show you before long! Yippee!

happy monday!

mary