When I first started quilting, this was the MOST frustrating part! How to match up those points!
I'd pin, I'd sew slow, I'd try so hard, and those little guys would NOT line up.
Well, now I have a "trick"...
Because seam allowance are what they are and not 100% perfect... Because I am who I am and don't even try for "perfect" just "really, really close"... I'll show you how I match up those points...
Here are the two points I want to line up for a star block...
Take a pin and insert it into the wrong side of the point...
It should look like this on the right side...
Now insert that pin into the right side of the other point...
Pinch the two layers together, lining up the seam allowances...
At this point, I take out the pin and insert it right below those points. However, you could place pins on one or both sides before removing it.
Finish pinning the seam and sew. Sew right through the "X" of the existing stitching...
And yes, I sew over pins. Slowly.
The stitching should look pretty close to this... (mine's not perfect, but pretty close)
Open it up, and you should have some pretty nice looking points matched up...
If a block is going up against sashing, or some other solid piece of fabric, I pin with the block on top. Then I sew with the pieced block on top so I can see the stitching of the points to be able to sew through them.
You get some nice looking points...
Here's my block with sashing attached...
Sixty-three more blocks, a lot more sashing, some cornerstones and a few borders from now, I'll show you the complete quilt top.
And you know above, when I said I sew over the pins, slowly. The sewing machine usually glances off the sides of the pin. However... every once in a while, it'll come straight down on one...
And this is what you get...
If you ask me if I'd rather have good looking points or perfectly straight pins... I'd go for the points.
Hope this helps with those pesky points. And if you have any questions, let me know.
Happy Quilting!
Thanks so much for the tute! I really need the help LOL...
Posted by: Jean Carpenter | January 25, 2011 at 10:16 AM
Great tute--it really disappoints me when my points are not lined up correctly. Love your attitude about pins and such. Thanks. Dolores
Posted by: Dolores Pilla | January 26, 2011 at 08:34 AM
Came on over from the Quilting Board. Great tute! Thank you.
Posted by: CAPadget | January 26, 2011 at 10:44 PM