This post is a part of the Warm Cool Quilt-Along! Feel free to join in the fun at any time! :)
1. Color Refresher
2. Quilt Sizes and Fabric Requirements
3. Half-Square Triangle Tutorial
Today's Post: Piecing the Top
It's time to lay out and piece your quilt top! The beauty of half-square triangles is their versatility! There are so many different patterns you can create with them. I recommend checking out the Half Square Triangle Quilts flickr group for lots of great ideas!
I'm going to show you a few different options for your quilts! :)
1. Traditional Value Quilt Layout
This layout creates a giant diamond pattern! If you need help laying yours out, feel free to refer back to the diagrams in the first post, here! Another interesting variation of this is to do it off-center!
2. Squares on point
This is a fun one, creating a squares on point pattern!
3. Zig Zag
Another popular HSTs pattern, zig-zags!
4. Little Diamonds
This pattern is a variation of the traditional value pattern, with 5 smaller diamonds!
Whichever layout you choose, they are all pieced the same way, in rows! Be sure to play around a bit with your layout, making sure you have an even distribution of colors and fabrics! For my quilt, I went with this little diamonds pattern! I couldn't help myself after seeing littlebluebirdie's layout on flickr! :)
Carefully stack up your rows and mark them accordingly. It's important to keep your rows organized! I like to use a little slip of paper and a safety pin! :)
I recommend pressing your rows in alternating directions, which allows it to lay flatter. For example, press row 1 to the left, press row 2 to the right, press row 3 to the left, etc.
Finally, piece your rows together and press your seams! I like to press mine open!
And there we have it! Your top is done, woo hoo! Go ahead and cut out (or piece) your backing in preparation for next week's post! We'll be talking quilting!
I love that! The colors and patterns are so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteLovely ideas for layouts, and lovely fabric choices! I didn't join in, but perhaps I should next time!
ReplyDeleteLove it!!! I really appreciated the tutorial on making HSTs, too! Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteVery cute! I'm super behind :( Just cutting out my squares, so I'll try and do a little each night until the weekend. Man, working full-time stinks!
ReplyDeleteAny ideas/leads on a backing? In the past I've typically done 1 print on the back and called it a day. I'd love to make something that will also do the front justice.
so cute! love those colors. HSTs are so awesome, it will be so much fun to see how everyone tweaks their quilt layout.
ReplyDeleteso pretty! :)
ReplyDeleteWow Jeni!!! I really wish I was in on this!!! I love all of the options, they are so fun!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I have mine ready to be put into a pattern, I will look around and see what kind of designs appeal to me :) This has been SO much fun so far!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited and inspired by your quilt-a-long! This will be my first quilt, I'm learning so much. Will post my fabrics soon on Flickr... I'm running behind but that's life with an 8 month old. He's going to have such a great play mat to drool on :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your tutorials and inspiration!
That is sooooo clever!! Using a safety pin and some paper to mark the rows!!!!
ReplyDeleteI always get the rows mixed up and the order of the squares. Thanks for the tip.
And your squares are incredibly beautiful. The colors!!! You have a remarkable good taste for colors. Thanks for inspiring us!
uvi03@yahoo.com.br
great great tutorial! thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt and I'm sure going to make it. Thanks for your great tutorials and tips for improving our sewing.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit confused over the HSTs. When 2 sets of the HST are quilted together, should the center triangle peak be right up to the top edge of the top of the block, or shld there be a 1/4 inch space left, above the triangle, for stitching sections together? (Hop this makes sense)
ReplyDeleteI am a bit confused over the HSTs. When 2 sets of the HST are quilted together, should the center triangle peak be right up to the top edge of the top of the block, or shld there be a 1/4 inch space left, above the triangle, for stitching sections together? (Hop this makes sense)
ReplyDelete