I am doing the best I can here with this QCR project, Metro Hoops. Here are three components of each block unit. A strip set, cut into a curved shape with the Quick Curve ruler, and two side pieces, also cut with the QCR.
All you have to do is sew them together so you have a unit like this, which you trim up with the QCR:
One side trimmed, flip the unit, then trim the other side. The instructions are very clear as to just where to line things up.
Now attach two side triangles.
Now you are ready to square up your block.
And this is the step that has me stymied. I guess I must not be lining things up with that perfect "sweet spot" that will make those corner triangles consistent. My blocks are all squaring up to the exact size required–8 inches. But those triangles are just not all the same.
When I sew the blocks together, the triangles just won't line up. Should this trouble me or not? If anyone has any tips I am all ears. Or is this the way it is?
From a distance it isn't so noticeable. I do love the blocks, but wish I could get my corner triangles to all be the same exact size!
42 responses to “So Here’s the Deal”
I have run into that problem before–getting things to match up–when sewing something a bit oversize and then “squaring up.” I think it is just the nature of the beast and very frustrating. Maybe you can cut a template of the finished block and mark where the triangle should be and tape it under the ruler that you are using to square up? That way you could try to fudge things while cutting so that they are all the same.
I have run into that problem before–getting things to match up–when sewing something a bit oversize and then “squaring up.” I think it is just the nature of the beast and very frustrating. Maybe you can cut a template of the finished block and mark where the triangle should be and tape it under the ruler that you are using to square up? That way you could try to fudge things while cutting so that they are all the same.
I have run into that problem before–getting things to match up–when sewing something a bit oversize and then “squaring up.” I think it is just the nature of the beast and very frustrating. Maybe you can cut a template of the finished block and mark where the triangle should be and tape it under the ruler that you are using to square up? That way you could try to fudge things while cutting so that they are all the same.
These look r3eally nice but not sure what would be happening….never did so no help there. Looks like you are doing a great job with having a bandage on and love your colors.
These look r3eally nice but not sure what would be happening….never did so no help there. Looks like you are doing a great job with having a bandage on and love your colors.
These look r3eally nice but not sure what would be happening….never did so no help there. Looks like you are doing a great job with having a bandage on and love your colors.
I am having the same issues with my corner pieces. It looks fine from a galloping horse, but I’d really rather have those points match!
I am having the same issues with my corner pieces. It looks fine from a galloping horse, but I’d really rather have those points match!
I am having the same issues with my corner pieces. It looks fine from a galloping horse, but I’d really rather have those points match!
The blocks and fabrics look great!
Are the blocks in the last photo already sewn together? If not, could the extra bit on the triangles disappear once the seam is sewn? If they’re not already sewn, why not baste two blocks together and see how they look?
I mention this because ages ago when I dipped my toe into quilting with a library book and scraps from other sewing, I concluded I’d done it wrong because my block seams met 1/4″ from the edge. I put it all away, not realizing that the 1/4″ was the seam allowance.
How does you finger feel?
Hugs!
The blocks and fabrics look great!
Are the blocks in the last photo already sewn together? If not, could the extra bit on the triangles disappear once the seam is sewn? If they’re not already sewn, why not baste two blocks together and see how they look?
I mention this because ages ago when I dipped my toe into quilting with a library book and scraps from other sewing, I concluded I’d done it wrong because my block seams met 1/4″ from the edge. I put it all away, not realizing that the 1/4″ was the seam allowance.
How does you finger feel?
Hugs!
The blocks and fabrics look great!
Are the blocks in the last photo already sewn together? If not, could the extra bit on the triangles disappear once the seam is sewn? If they’re not already sewn, why not baste two blocks together and see how they look?
I mention this because ages ago when I dipped my toe into quilting with a library book and scraps from other sewing, I concluded I’d done it wrong because my block seams met 1/4″ from the edge. I put it all away, not realizing that the 1/4″ was the seam allowance.
How does you finger feel?
Hugs!
For me once the blocks are quilted they would be fine. But, you sound like a friend of mine. . . .who was very anal. . .she would take out the center of pinwheels (that were going to be covered with buttons anyway) if she could not get the seams to meet perfectly.
LOL
Have you tried pressing the center of the triangle and matching it up manually with the center point of the curved section (which looks to be where the curve meets the background)? It would be a little more “fiddle work” but that might get the seams to meet.
I love the way the blocks are coming out.
For me once the blocks are quilted they would be fine. But, you sound like a friend of mine. . . .who was very anal. . .she would take out the center of pinwheels (that were going to be covered with buttons anyway) if she could not get the seams to meet perfectly.
LOL
Have you tried pressing the center of the triangle and matching it up manually with the center point of the curved section (which looks to be where the curve meets the background)? It would be a little more “fiddle work” but that might get the seams to meet.
I love the way the blocks are coming out.
For me once the blocks are quilted they would be fine. But, you sound like a friend of mine. . . .who was very anal. . .she would take out the center of pinwheels (that were going to be covered with buttons anyway) if she could not get the seams to meet perfectly.
LOL
Have you tried pressing the center of the triangle and matching it up manually with the center point of the curved section (which looks to be where the curve meets the background)? It would be a little more “fiddle work” but that might get the seams to meet.
I love the way the blocks are coming out.
I had trouble with the urban pods not all lining up I wish and did message her as to another video on these blocks hers now only
are for the inner and outer curved shape I had to find a spot of my own for the metro rings and I think its going better but I have not had time to sew any of the sets together hopefully today I had to get more square fabric the fabric I got at Joann’s was not the same black keep trying it will be great!
I had trouble with the urban pods not all lining up I wish and did message her as to another video on these blocks hers now only
are for the inner and outer curved shape I had to find a spot of my own for the metro rings and I think its going better but I have not had time to sew any of the sets together hopefully today I had to get more square fabric the fabric I got at Joann’s was not the same black keep trying it will be great!
I had trouble with the urban pods not all lining up I wish and did message her as to another video on these blocks hers now only
are for the inner and outer curved shape I had to find a spot of my own for the metro rings and I think its going better but I have not had time to sew any of the sets together hopefully today I had to get more square fabric the fabric I got at Joann’s was not the same black keep trying it will be great!
The only suggestion I can come up with is that the distance from the point where the arc and triangle meet and the edge of the fabric needs to be exactly a quarter inch. Hopefully, that makes sense.
The only suggestion I can come up with is that the distance from the point where the arc and triangle meet and the edge of the fabric needs to be exactly a quarter inch. Hopefully, that makes sense.
The only suggestion I can come up with is that the distance from the point where the arc and triangle meet and the edge of the fabric needs to be exactly a quarter inch. Hopefully, that makes sense.
I’ve noticed that the 4″ line doesn’t line up with the middle of the arc (hope you understand what I’m saying). Perhaps if this would line up the corners would line up, too.
I’ve noticed that the 4″ line doesn’t line up with the middle of the arc (hope you understand what I’m saying). Perhaps if this would line up the corners would line up, too.
I’ve noticed that the 4″ line doesn’t line up with the middle of the arc (hope you understand what I’m saying). Perhaps if this would line up the corners would line up, too.
from a distance it looks beautiful but i can see with the close up your triangles aren’t lining up. 🙁
hopefully, a reader will come to your rescue!
from a distance it looks beautiful but i can see with the close up your triangles aren’t lining up. 🙁
hopefully, a reader will come to your rescue!
from a distance it looks beautiful but i can see with the close up your triangles aren’t lining up. 🙁
hopefully, a reader will come to your rescue!
Love your colors, your quilt will be really pretty when it’s done. Not sure what to do about the triangles but I like the idea someone posted about making a template for marking a block that is perfect and cutting them all the same. I think when you’re squaring them up you might just be a little off somewhere and that is what’s making them not meet up exactly. Good luck and hope your finger is getting better 🙂
Love your colors, your quilt will be really pretty when it’s done. Not sure what to do about the triangles but I like the idea someone posted about making a template for marking a block that is perfect and cutting them all the same. I think when you’re squaring them up you might just be a little off somewhere and that is what’s making them not meet up exactly. Good luck and hope your finger is getting better 🙂
Love your colors, your quilt will be really pretty when it’s done. Not sure what to do about the triangles but I like the idea someone posted about making a template for marking a block that is perfect and cutting them all the same. I think when you’re squaring them up you might just be a little off somewhere and that is what’s making them not meet up exactly. Good luck and hope your finger is getting better 🙂
No they are not going to line up perfectly. You have to be aware that the designer of this is not an exact piecer and the blocks have been created to give you an easier way to sew something that would be complicated and time consuming. None of your blocks will line up, none of them will press flat and you will have to quilt the devil out of this to get it to lay flat after it is all done. I did a workshop with her so I had hands on tutorials, one lady was in tears at home when she was putting hers together. I ditched some blocks because I couldn’t get the second square up, some just plain wouldn’t press semi flat, some had tucks in the pieced insert.It’s not for me, I like precise when it should be, like this, so stick to trying her other blocks/patterns that do not require an “inset” Some of them come out flat, straight, and square, but not all of them. Test, test, test with this ruler and pattern
No they are not going to line up perfectly. You have to be aware that the designer of this is not an exact piecer and the blocks have been created to give you an easier way to sew something that would be complicated and time consuming. None of your blocks will line up, none of them will press flat and you will have to quilt the devil out of this to get it to lay flat after it is all done. I did a workshop with her so I had hands on tutorials, one lady was in tears at home when she was putting hers together. I ditched some blocks because I couldn’t get the second square up, some just plain wouldn’t press semi flat, some had tucks in the pieced insert.It’s not for me, I like precise when it should be, like this, so stick to trying her other blocks/patterns that do not require an “inset” Some of them come out flat, straight, and square, but not all of them. Test, test, test with this ruler and pattern
No they are not going to line up perfectly. You have to be aware that the designer of this is not an exact piecer and the blocks have been created to give you an easier way to sew something that would be complicated and time consuming. None of your blocks will line up, none of them will press flat and you will have to quilt the devil out of this to get it to lay flat after it is all done. I did a workshop with her so I had hands on tutorials, one lady was in tears at home when she was putting hers together. I ditched some blocks because I couldn’t get the second square up, some just plain wouldn’t press semi flat, some had tucks in the pieced insert.It’s not for me, I like precise when it should be, like this, so stick to trying her other blocks/patterns that do not require an “inset” Some of them come out flat, straight, and square, but not all of them. Test, test, test with this ruler and pattern
After reading your post I went down to my sewing room and looked at my flimsy of Metro Rings
Some of my triangles match perfectly and some are a bit off as yours are. If I think perhaps yours are more noticeable with the dark fabric
I’m would not give up on the project-or the ruler. Unlike the previous commenter, my seams lay flat and so do my blocks. I do not use starch when pressing most of the time-just don’t like it
Good luck and I think your fabrics are great and it’s going to be fab quilt!
After reading your post I went down to my sewing room and looked at my flimsy of Metro Rings
Some of my triangles match perfectly and some are a bit off as yours are. If I think perhaps yours are more noticeable with the dark fabric
I’m would not give up on the project-or the ruler. Unlike the previous commenter, my seams lay flat and so do my blocks. I do not use starch when pressing most of the time-just don’t like it
Good luck and I think your fabrics are great and it’s going to be fab quilt!
After reading your post I went down to my sewing room and looked at my flimsy of Metro Rings
Some of my triangles match perfectly and some are a bit off as yours are. If I think perhaps yours are more noticeable with the dark fabric
I’m would not give up on the project-or the ruler. Unlike the previous commenter, my seams lay flat and so do my blocks. I do not use starch when pressing most of the time-just don’t like it
Good luck and I think your fabrics are great and it’s going to be fab quilt!
I haven’t made this pattern but I have made several other designs from Sew Kind of Wonderful with very good results. My seams lined up and pressed flat. I can see that for Metro Hoops, the corner triangles need to line up exactly to form a square when the blocks are sewn together. Just like Metro Rings, which I have made.
Try this, Nicole: You are trimming the block to 8″ square, right? (This would actually be a lot easier if you had an 8″ square ruler but it’s not an absolute necessity.) Starting in the upper right hand corner, arrange the ruler so that the seam where the corner triangle meets the rest of the block is exactly the same distance from the corner of the ruler on both sides, then do the same thing for the opposite corner. The four measurements need to be exactly the same, i.e. the same distance from the corner based on an 8″ square. From your photo, it looks like it might be somewhere between 2-3/4″ – 3″.
With an Ultra-fine Point Sharpie, mark the four spots on the front of the ruler (they will easily come off with polish remover.)
Once you have the points established, make the first two cuts on the right side and top of the block. Flip the block and trim the remaining two sides for an 8″ block. When you join the blocks, the triangles should match perfectly.
Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck — and speedy recovery!!
I haven’t made this pattern but I have made several other designs from Sew Kind of Wonderful with very good results. My seams lined up and pressed flat. I can see that for Metro Hoops, the corner triangles need to line up exactly to form a square when the blocks are sewn together. Just like Metro Rings, which I have made.
Try this, Nicole: You are trimming the block to 8″ square, right? (This would actually be a lot easier if you had an 8″ square ruler but it’s not an absolute necessity.) Starting in the upper right hand corner, arrange the ruler so that the seam where the corner triangle meets the rest of the block is exactly the same distance from the corner of the ruler on both sides, then do the same thing for the opposite corner. The four measurements need to be exactly the same, i.e. the same distance from the corner based on an 8″ square. From your photo, it looks like it might be somewhere between 2-3/4″ – 3″.
With an Ultra-fine Point Sharpie, mark the four spots on the front of the ruler (they will easily come off with polish remover.)
Once you have the points established, make the first two cuts on the right side and top of the block. Flip the block and trim the remaining two sides for an 8″ block. When you join the blocks, the triangles should match perfectly.
Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck — and speedy recovery!!
I haven’t made this pattern but I have made several other designs from Sew Kind of Wonderful with very good results. My seams lined up and pressed flat. I can see that for Metro Hoops, the corner triangles need to line up exactly to form a square when the blocks are sewn together. Just like Metro Rings, which I have made.
Try this, Nicole: You are trimming the block to 8″ square, right? (This would actually be a lot easier if you had an 8″ square ruler but it’s not an absolute necessity.) Starting in the upper right hand corner, arrange the ruler so that the seam where the corner triangle meets the rest of the block is exactly the same distance from the corner of the ruler on both sides, then do the same thing for the opposite corner. The four measurements need to be exactly the same, i.e. the same distance from the corner based on an 8″ square. From your photo, it looks like it might be somewhere between 2-3/4″ – 3″.
With an Ultra-fine Point Sharpie, mark the four spots on the front of the ruler (they will easily come off with polish remover.)
Once you have the points established, make the first two cuts on the right side and top of the block. Flip the block and trim the remaining two sides for an 8″ block. When you join the blocks, the triangles should match perfectly.
Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck — and speedy recovery!!
Looks great, but very complicated. Kudos to you for taking this one on.
Looks great, but very complicated. Kudos to you for taking this one on.
Looks great, but very complicated. Kudos to you for taking this one on.