How-to-Quilt Series: Triangle quilting blocks by Deonn (3 of 9)

Deonn shows Cindy different ways to make basic quilting blocks using triangles.
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• Category

  Howto & Style

[Mildred Jamison]

Love this series. Lots of shortcuts that make quilting a pleasure!

[RileyBlakeDesigns]

So glad this is helping Mildred--we love your input and feedback!

[carylanne rosten]

I really do like your tutorials for beginner quilters and for us who love the easy sew the squares together then do the cutting. My comment is to you Riley; why not show your beginners other essential tools to make it even easier. The turn cutting mat is one I found to be 'a must have' in my sewing room, another is the pressing table you use, show them the reason we use a flannel fabric to press these bias edge pieces. Now to see the tutorial on the UFO to go, another must have! Thanks

[RileyBlakeDesigns]

Thanks for the feedback Carylanne--One of the reasons we love YouTube is because thoughtful quilters like you can leave comments that will help others when they view these...The Turn cutting mat & the flannel fabric are both great suggestions! And yes, we will definitely be getting the UFO tutorial up as soon as possible.

[RileyBlakeDesigns]

You're welcome Polyxena! Love to hear from you and good luck with the trimming!

[polyxena11]

Thank you so much for all the replies. I didn't think cutting and sewing half triangles for a specific size would be so difficult. Either I am short or over. I've hunted down the Quilt in a Day Ruler. Thank goodness it's available here in the UK. Hopefully that arrives soon. I think I will go over and trim down. Makes for a more accurate finish. An extra step but saves time on picking stitches. Can't wait for more. Thank you again!

[RileyBlakeDesigns]

Rounding up .875 to 1" extra on half square triangles not only makes it easier for me to remember the formula, but then I can always rely on trimming it down exactly to the correct size so my blocks fit together precisely. Even without the Triangle Square-up Ruler I make it a practice to re-trim my blocks to get the right size. Mind you, these tutorials are intended to give the best advice I have for precision piecing, but everyone will find their own joy in quilting.

Happy Quilting,

~Deonn

[RileyBlakeDesigns]

I always add a little extra and trim down, or end up taking a scant 1/4" seam in the first place. Many quilters find that their blocks turn out a little short using the exact formula.  Sewing even a thread-width bigger than 1/4", not pressing crisply, or using too much steam which may distort the block are factors that can cause the difference.

(continued in the next section)

[RileyBlakeDesigns]

That is a great question! The actual math formula is to add 7/8" to your desired finished size block. SEE my Cutting Corners tutorial for all the math formulas for these blocks on the Riley Blake Designs Website Blog...(continued in next section)

[RileyBlakeDesigns]

Hi Poly--thanks so much for your question and response...We are so glad you are liking these tutorials! Also, we are very grateful that Deonn was willing to take the time to answer your question directly!

Here is her response below: