Piecing Tips and Tricks

Before we get started here I just want to point you to two really great videos that will really help with your pieced blocks.

THIS lovely lady is Beth Hayes, Editor-In-Chief of McCall’s Quilting (i.e. my boss, the best boss ever). She has done this really great video on pressing for our website that you can have a look at here:

mccallsquilting.com/mccallsquilting/articles/pressing

And THIS lovely lady is Kathy Patterson, Senior Editor of McCall’s Quilting. She has done another super video talking about using an accurate 1/4” seam allowance that you can see here:

mccallsquilting.com/mccallsquilting/articles/An_Accurate____Seam_Allowance

Be sure to check these out, they really help with piecing!

Now for some Half-Square Triangles (HST)

The sizes here are what you will need for Jingle Pieced Block #1, but the technique is a good way to make these units all the time using a variety of sizes. I will have a download with general techniques at the end of this post.

Start with two squares.

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the lightest of the 2 fabrics.

Place on other square, right sides together.

Sew 1/4” from the drawn line, this is where a 1/4” patchwork foot is really handy.

Sew 1/4” on other side of line.

Cut along the drawn line.

Press toward the darker fabric.

You will have 2 half-square triangles (HST) when you are done.

I like to clip my little corners off.

Now for some Flying Geese

Start with 2 squares and one rectangle.

Mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of both squares.

Place square on one end of the rectangle, right sides together.

Stitch ON THE DRAWN LINE.

Cut 1/4” away from stitching and discard those little corners.

Press toward the corner triangle.

Repeat on opposite side to make 1 flying goose.

OK, those are the standard ways of making these units. Check back tomorrow for a little tutorial on how to make them using a couple of my favorite rulers from Quilt In A Day.

I've made a little cheat sheet for these techniques that you can download:

Download Half-square Triangles and Flying geese

Comments

[Marcia K]

Honestly, I've been ironing not pressing..and I just bopped myself in the head!!! I really needed that refresher..could use a new iron after looking at mine today too! UGH!! I don't have one that nice, but I certainly need a nice new one. That baby she was using sure had LOTS of steam holes. What kind was that?

[Rebecca Grace]

That pressing video was FABULOUS! I did not know it was "allowed" to ever press the seams open! That little nudge with the iron to open up just the centers of the pinwheel seam allowances is great, too. I can't wait to try these ideas on my next block!