I’m participating in a conference this week that has people attending in person and also includes people participating virtually. I’m one of the virtual folks. The actual conference is happening on the east coast so I have 6 am start times tomorrow and Thursday.
Since I need to be up and at ’em at a ridiculous hour — 6 am! (Have I told you that I stay up way too late?), I’ve already taken some Advil pm at 9 pm so I can get to bed at a reasonable hour. So not much time in my sewing room tonight.
I decided I wanted to do two things. First, I wanted to make that one block that I needed for my sunburst quilt top. Second, I wanted to cut some crap fabric to test my measurements of the setting triangles.
I ran across a video tutorial today that is a really good explanation of how to cut setting triangles. It’s sort of extra-mathy. Math is not my strong suit. But it has really good explanation of how to calculate, cut and handle your fabric to make sure you’re not putting your bias edges in the wrong place. That’s pretty important
This is a great video but a little more than I felt prepared to wrap my head around this evening. So I grabbed my Quilters Reference Guide and pulled some fabric out of a box I’ve been filling for Good Will. I selected the right measurements for my triangles based on my finished block size. Then got to cutting.
First I cut one large block, then sub cut it diagonally. This method insures that you don’t have your bias edge along the outside edge of the quilt top. Both bias edges will be sewn to the quilt blocks.
Then I tried one of those triangles with my quilt blocks, and it’s pretty much perfect!
Here’s that dark, dreary fabric making me feel like this will actually work really well!
Next I moved onto the corner triangles. I cut a square the correct size, according to my reference guide, then cut that in half diagonally.
And, again, perfect fit! The bias edge on this one is the center cut line, which is sewn to the corner block.
Here’s a look at what I’m using for my setting triangles and how it looks with these blocks.
Once that testing was done, I started looking for my sunburst fabric so I could cut ONE little sunburst to make the final block. Amazingly, I found it pretty quickly. It was in the drawer where I thought it was.
I have over four yards of this fabric. I bought it when I heard a few years ago that this was going to be discontinued. I’m so glad I have this. I don’t have plans for it right now, but there are so many fun things you can do with it!
I also have a smaller quantity of the blue color way.
So I carefully cut one little sunburst out of that fabric.
And immediately after doing that, I noticed that there were a couple strips of these sunbursts in the pile of scraps that I was using to make blocks last night.
Well, of course! Wish I’d seen that before I cut into that yardage. Oh well.
This one block went quickly since there was a good deal of fabric all pressed and ready to go.
Here’s the final block before and after I squared it up.
Then I set about finding a place for this on the design wall.
I may start cutting these setting pieces tomorrow night. Not sure how much oomph I’ll have after being on the job so early
We had a lovely sunny day today. But still quite cold.
The temps will be warming a little in the next few days and we’ll see some rainy days too.
agilejack 
Have you tried the Robert Kaufman app that allows you to avoid math? For set-in & corner triangles all you need to know is the size of your block. It also calculates borders, binding etc.
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What?? 😳 will have to check it out, thanks!
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Have the app but have never used it. I’ll check it out too.
Anne
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I have that app but have never gotten into the habit of using it. I’ll check it out. thanks!
Anne
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Good morning, Love these blocks. You know those dark and drearys? .well my description would be more like “warm and cosy” There really is something very peaceful about that print. Hope your day goes really well
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I’ve always loved paisley, but that dark fabric is pretty cheap. And nearly see-through. And it’s just not the right feel for the Kaffe fabrics. But I have changed my mind on my setting triangles. Stay tuned!
Anne
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Anne, i would not use that paisley for the setting triangles either. I thought you were just using them as test sizing. I was thinking that they could work in other quilts. Recently I made a quilt using the Hidden Wells block, and some dark fabric. It was a pretty good looking top when finished, although I had had some apprehension concerning the dark colours. The fabric was of good quality though, and that block suited it well.
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That dark fabric may be dark and dreary, but you might consider keeping it for this quilt. It provides a fabulous frame for the vibrant blocks, sort of propelling them forward. And at a closer look, the swirling paisleys are reminiscent of Kaffe’s Paisley Jungle fabric!
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I will definitely not use that dark fabric for this quilt, but it may have made me change my mind about what I’m using for the setting triangles.
Anne
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Yes, if there’s too much math in something I’m not sure about it gives me the shudders! Hate, hate figuring math, childhood trauma, 🤬. The top is beautiful and I like the goodwill fabric too. Sweet shot of the boys 🥰🥰🥰🥰 We have been having an ice storm and didn’t get to my sewing group yesterday. Missed them but got 2 quilts bound, me least favorite step.
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Yeah, I have a bad history with math too. I can do it, but if there other good sources for the info I need, I’ll go there.
Anne
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the background creates a floating effect for the quilt.
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I think I’ve actually changed my. mind on the setting triangles. Stay tuned!
Anne
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So important not to have bias on the outside edge. Anything with bias for quilting, I starch to help minimize stretching on the bias edges. Isn’t that always the case?! You find it in your scraps after cutting into yardage, It’s a little frustrating but better than not having it at all. Looking forward to your choice of setting triangles.
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I’ve only made a couple quilts with lots of bias edges. one went together really well, The other one was a struggle the entire way. It took care of my desire to cut on the bias!
Anne
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Love bias for skirts! Not a big fan for quilts. Sometimes it just looks so cool in a quilt. Starch baby, starch when overwhelmed with the desire to make “that” quilt.
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I love the look of bias too. But after making two quilts with bias edges, one after the other, I’ve had my fill of it for a few years.
Anne
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Totally understand that. Whatever you make it is always amazing.☺
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The sunburst blocks really pack a punch with the dark triangles you’ve chose, I think it looks tremendous Anne!
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I’m going with the red lotus leaf fabric for the setting triangles. I don’t know what I was thinking with that orange fabric. I love it, but it doesn’t define the blocks. All that work to make the blocks on point and the points disappear!
Anne
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