Sunday, July 1, 2018

Aurora Quilt Sew-Along Week 5


We are now just over halfway in the #auroraquiltsewalong.  I love seeing how all the fabric choices you made have now started to be made in the Quadrants and you can really see now how your Aurora Quilt is going to look.


Week Five is all about making and working on your 3rd Quadrant.  With all your pieces trimmed and ready then you can assemble the next Quadrant for your Quilt.

I have had a few messages through the week for tips on how to get all the Points lined up on your Half Square Triangles when sewing your rows together.  

Here are a few of my best tips for making sure everything is matching up as best as possible. (none of these tools/notions are sponsored - just my personal opinions and preferences for quilting)

Tip 1 - Bloc-loc, Bloc-loc, Bloc-loc
This really is the best piece of equipment I have come across to date on how to get your points just perfect for trimming up your Half Square Triangles (HST's). There are a few other type HST Trimming rulers around - anything that helps you get perfect points are welcome.  If your points on your HST's are great from the start it is unlikely that they will match up no matter how hard you try.  

Here is a link to an article I wrote a while ago on Bloc-Loc rulers.

Tip 2 - Pins
It seems simple but using Fine Patchwork Pins while quilting is very helpful.  Thick pins can be too bulky to use in quilting due to the intersecting seams.  Use Fine Pins that don't move or shift these seams once you have pinned them in place.  I like to use Clover Fine Patchwork Pins.


Tip 3 - Pining your Seams
When pinning the seams I like to pin at each intersection.  With the pattern if you have followed the pressing you will find that having pressed the seams open you will find this distribute the bulk as evenly as possible.

For those who have pressed alternate seams in different directions your seams now should "nest" (which means they but up against each other).  
More importantly I like to match up the points at where the 1/4in seam line will run and then place the pin on the diagonal holding both seams.  This means that you match up the points at the place in which they meet rather than at the top of the raw edge.  This way you will know where the stitched seam line will run and if your points will match.  

Below shows me having pressed the seams to nest (clearly not having read my  own pattern exactly - but still very acceptable to do it this way)



Tip 4 - Walking Foot
When Quilting I always recommend using a Walking Foot - even when piecing.  The Walking Foot is either attached to your machine in the case with Pfaff's and some Bernina's or an added attachment like on a Janome.  It can be a clunky looking contraption depending on your brand of Machine but trust me - using a Walking foot will mean that your fabric on the top is fed through at the same rate as your bottom piece (which has the feed dogs to help it through) and ultimately make a big difference to your quilting.

Tip 5 - Straight Stitch Plate
If your fabric gets "chewed" up by your machine at the beginning of a line of stitching.  Investing in a "Straight Stitch Plate" for your machine will be beneficial.  This is usually an additional plate your can purchase for your machine.  The hole where the needle goes up and down into is considerably smaller and hence there is no where for the fabric to be "eaten" into your machine.  Ask at your Local Quilt store for one to fit your sewing machine.  These are a worthwhile investment and really do make sewing less frustrating.) 

 AURORA QUILT INSPIRATION

Image thanks to @thyme.with.tash

Image thanks to @jackietheaggie

Image thanks to @myfabricology

Image thanks @happygolizzie


This weeks Sponsor is Aurifil


The Prize is this stunning box of Alison Glass Threads
To be in the running to wins this weeks prize make sure you tag me - @tiedwitharibbon and post your progress to the #auroraquiltsewalong and #auroraquilt hashtags.

You can still join in anytime with the Aurora Quilt Sew-Along.




Happy Quilting
Jemima x

2 comments:

  1. I have a quick question: On Tip 3 you mention nesting your seams by ironing according to the pattern. I have been ironing my seams open and just checked my pattern and it says iron open. I believe that you need to iron one direction and then vice versa on the next row is the only way to nest. Did I miss something in the pattern? Or can you nest by ironing open?
    Thanks Anjuli

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Anjuli, I should read my own pattern better - lol. You can certainly press them open as I say you should - fo anyone who has nested them then I have clarified above. Thanks

    ReplyDelete

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