Working on Judy's Star BOM has been an excellent exercise for me. I've used these blocks to try to improve my cutting and piecing skills. With measurements in 1/16ths precision cutting is really important and just the nature of star blocks means lots of points to match. I am getting better with each block and have had to totally re-cut and remake one since block #3. Today I got 2 more blocks made - yeah! Three more and I'll be caught up.
I thought I'd share the process that I've been using to make sure my points are perfect. I'm sure it's not new but I was in the mood to post so this is what you are getting!
Here we go. A pinwheel block.
My first step is to do what everyone does - stick a pin through the two block exactly at the spot where the points are. The pin is going from the back of the top piece and through the front of the bottom piece.
Align the fabrics so that the pin is sticking STRAIGHT through both pieces. This is how you know that the pieced points are lined up perfectly with each other.
With that first pin still in place and perfectly straight, place two pins on either side of the positioning pin. These pins are perpendicular to the edge of the fabric and are pinned with the point in the seam. Pull out the positioning pin. By pinning like this I can keep the pins in as I sew.
Yes, I do sew over the pins. Once I am withing about 3/4 inch of the pin I slow down and watch every stitch to make sure I am heading right for that point intersection (arrow). Because I am sewing so slow the pins don't cause any risk of breaking the needle. (Who am I kidding? I sew over pins all the time.)
See? Perfect!
But not always. Obviously I did not pin properly on this one. The point on he top piece is fine but the bottom one is not.
In this case I rip out about 1" on either side of the point intersection, say a few special words, re-pin and re-sew.
Fixed!
If I missed stitching the intersection wrong on both pieces I will re-sew the seam without ripping put the previous seam (unless the first one is too wide or I am going to press the seam open).
i am indifferent piecer, and while i do pin, i don't worry nearly so much about matching. and i would never have redone that seam. which proves that you are a much better woman than i.
i do have to say though, that that fabric is to die for (dye?). yumm-y.
Posted by: Suzanne | January 25, 2009 at 07:17 PM
Wow your block looks great! I really should be more careful and make my points perfect but I am not so careful. You are amazing!
Posted by: Trisha | January 25, 2009 at 07:54 PM
Fantastic tutorial with great pictures! Your points look great but for those whose points may not be quite so perfect, remember that quilting can cover a multitude of imperfections.
Posted by: Judy L. | January 25, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Fantastic tutorial with great pictures! Your points look great but for those whose points may not be quite so perfect, remember that quilting can cover a multitude of imperfections.
Posted by: Judy L. | January 25, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Great job, Vicki! My personal rule is that if I can't get the points to my liking in 3 tries, then it is what it is and move on. I have learned that my trusty seam ripper is my friend, not foe.
Robin in Short Pump
Posted by: Robin Kaspar | January 26, 2009 at 06:14 AM
Thanks for all the clear photos and explanation. I use that method, too, and it really works. I buy ultra-fine pins (get them at a big quilt show because my LQS doesn't even carry them) and stitch slowly, so no pin breaking, and the pins are so fine they don't distort the pieces when you insert them.
Posted by: Cheri | January 26, 2009 at 08:34 AM
Inquiry minds want to know what your "special words" are? They must be a magic chant or something huh?
Posted by: Terri | January 26, 2009 at 08:47 AM
Totally impressed. I did learn something. Even though I pin the intersections and sew over them, I never thought to pin on each side of the pin. Thank you!
Posted by: Marla | January 26, 2009 at 08:54 AM
Perfect!!! Just between you and me, I sew over pins too! LOL
Posted by: Julia | January 26, 2009 at 10:21 AM
I wonder if pinning with the pin heads on the left instead of on the right makes any difference? I have always pinned with them on the right and must remove them before sewing over them as they get caught on the presser foot causing a crooked seam. hmmm I will have to do a test. Thanks for the tutorial. I love your fabric.
Posted by: Diane | January 26, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Judy beat me to it -- I was going to say that I thought quilters needed a bit of space at the point for a quilting line--or is that just something I thought up?
I would not have redone that block either. Now we really know why your back hurts.
Posted by: Debra Spincic | January 26, 2009 at 10:59 AM
I SEW OVER PINS TOO. Good for you, you rebel.
Posted by: Ginger Brown | January 26, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Yes, I sew over pins all the time! Good points about the points, too.
Posted by: Summerset | January 26, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Hi Vicki,
I love your subtle sense of humour (e.g. the bit about saying some "special words"!). I'm glad to know I'm not the only one to utter special words when sewing goes awry.
Kristin in SC
Posted by: Kristin Farwig | January 26, 2009 at 02:13 PM
oooooh I love your colors and I love star blocks. Cant wait to see this when its done!
Posted by: Becca | January 26, 2009 at 02:32 PM
Right on Vicki! Very cool of you to do this. An excellent job. Great pics and everything.
Posted by: *karendianne | January 26, 2009 at 03:46 PM
the only part of this process i do is saying the special words. this is a very clever idea - i always think pinning takes a long time and just hold the pieces together with my fingers....might just go get me some of those pins to use next time. Also if i got something to match as well as you did on the rejected block Id be doing cartwheels not unpicking.
Posted by: Paula Hewitt | January 26, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Wonderful 3-pin tutorial ~ I was lucky to have my first quilt shop instructor use this method.
IT WORKS!
Posted by: quiltdivajulie | January 26, 2009 at 04:18 PM
Thanks for the clearly illustrated sample. I would not have thought of pointing the pins toward the edge. I'll bet it makes all the difference! And I use special words, too - I wonder if they are the same ones? Magical chant - yeah, right. LOL!
Posted by: Liz | January 26, 2009 at 06:40 PM
You are going to have a really cool quilt. Love those fabrics.
Posted by: Randi | January 27, 2009 at 01:18 PM
Wow - I am impressed!!! The points do meet up perfectly. I sew over pins too. I found some really fine patchwork pins by Clover that are easy to sew over.
Hope you are keeping warm - I saw that the ice storm we are having in AR is also moving into VA.
Posted by: Ivory Spring | January 27, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Great tutorial....I always put the pins on the right side but I'm going to try your way. I like your machine foot.
Posted by: Yvonne | January 27, 2009 at 05:28 PM
While sometimes I can be really picky, I doubt I would have resewn that seam. I like the saying if you can't see it from a galloping horse...
Posted by: Irene | January 27, 2009 at 05:40 PM
Vicki, Love the tutorial. Great photos!
I love watching all your fun projects...and the bird pics! I nominated you for a blogger award on my blog. Check it out! Take care, Vivian Love
Posted by: Vivian Love | January 27, 2009 at 09:13 PM
good grief I would go mad trying to make these blocks!
Posted by: Sue | January 28, 2009 at 04:52 AM