Yesterday I tried to make half-square triangles Bonnie's way. But they really weren't working. My machine did not like feeding such tiny shapes. Here's what happened to many of the ones I sent through the machine blunt-end first:
Once I calmed down, I remembered an episode of Simply Quilts from about 15 years ago. In it Nancy Martin taught her method of cutting bias strips and sewing them together, pressing the whole thing, and then cutting the correct size squares as the last step in the process. It had to be worth a try, to eliminate the sewing and ironing as sources of distortion. A bit of googling gave me appropriate measurements, so this morning I started all over again.
Sewing the yellow and orange bias strips together:
And once they are cut:
I need to make another set of bias strips to get the 200 squares we need, and then I will sew the pinwheels. But I should get them done by the end of the week.
When Bonnie sets up her Monday link-up for step 3, I'll add the link to this post.
Added later: Here's the link-up!
20 comments:
Love that you have worked out a way to do these. What I do is place a small post-it note (sticky side) right up to the needle, but not quite, and sew over this. The reason that those pesky bits get caught is the little ridge on a lot of machines, just before the needle and the post-it note makes a smooth path. BTW I also love your colours.
That could have been worth a try if I had thought of it, Joy.
200 squares!!!!! Glad I didn't sign up for that! Going to finish my piece from Jenny's workshop - keep a lookout for it!
Sometimes it just seems like the machine and the fabrics won't play nice together. Congrats for coming up with a work-around that let you finish up those HSTs... and what wonderful fabrics you're using!
Glad you found a solution. I had a few like that too. I changed my sewing machine needle to a smaller size and that seemed to help.
Some of my HST units were also 'eaten' by my sewing machine. Fortunately, not too many and I had cut extras just in case something happened. You came up with a great solution!
Thank you for this idea - I was trying to figure out yesterday that it seemed like there should be a way to "pre-sew" and then cut. Will give this a try for sure.
I had a similar problem in the past, but then got hold of a single hole needle plate. See my post here from last year, to see what I mean. http://fabadashery.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/bonnie-hunters-mystery-qulit-easy.html
Great idea? Would you, please, give us the dimensions of your fabric strips? You've already done all the work! Thanks.
The strips are cut on the bias, and they are 2" wide. You cut your strips the same width the unfinished squares will end up. I started with 20cm squares, which gave me four strips. If I had made the squares a little bigger, maybe 21cm, I could have used the last corners as well.
I love that method when making lots of HSTs. Way to go!
Great idea! Mine got gobbled up as well, however I changed my throatplate to a single hole and it stopped. I am a little overwhelmed with the amount-but i am going to plug away. Thanks for stopping by my blog:)
I'm sorry your fabrics and the machine didn't play nice together, but glad you found a solution that worked for you. Mine are almost done and then I'll sliver-trim any problem children.
Your technique is also a good one.. I have used it years ago but didn't think about it either until I saw your post now.
very clever solution - whenever I have pieces with points I use my vintage machines to piece them. That way the points don't get sucked in. Love your colors and all of the flowers!
Love your method for the pinwheels, and lovely colors. Thanks for dropping by my blog .
Thank you! I'll convert the metrics :)
Thanks I had forgotten about this method and I took a class from Marsha McCloskey when shw used this method.
like like like!
Beautiful! I love your fabric choices!
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