Corner Triangles for Hanging Small Quilts

Jun 7, 2018 | Sustainable Quilting, Tutorial

By Laura Loewen

If you have entered a quilt into the BoulderMQG 2018 show, An Exploration in Sustainable Modern Quilting, then you will need to be sure that any accepted quilt(s) include the correct attachments for hanging. The following is a tutorial for creating and adding corner triangles to small quilts. For our show, any quilt measuring 30” wide or less will require corner triangles. If these triangles are not added to your accepted entry we may use other means to hang and display the quilt, such as safety pins or Command adhesive. Below we provide instructions for both adding corner triangles before or after binding or facing your quilt.

Adding Corner Triangles Before Binding

Method shown for hand finished binding.

Step 1

Gather supplies; quilt ready to bind, prepared binding, (2) 3.5” squares to make corner triangles.

 

Step 2

Press squares diagonally; RIGHT SIDES OUT.

Step 3

Pin triangles on back side of quilt at TOP corners.

 

Step 4

Sew binding on to front side of quilt as you normally would. Take care not to sew over pins on corner triangles.

Your binding will look normal on the front. The back will have your corner triangles secured by the machine stitching.

 

Step 5

Clip, or pin, binding to prepare for hand stitching it down.

Step 6

Hand sew binding down all the way around. Take care to go through 3 layers (2 layers of corner triangle, plus quilt backing fabric) when stitching at corner triangles.

 

Your finished corner triangles will create small pockets that will be used to help us hang your quilt should it be accepted to the show.

Adding Corner Triangles After Binding (or for faced quilts)

 

Step 1

Gather supplies; finished and bound quilt, (2) 4.5” squares.

 

Step 2

Press squares diagonally; RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER.

Step 3

Keeping right sides together, pin approximately 2” apart along one raw edge side. This will be where you leave an opening for turning right sides out.

 

Step 4

Sew along raw edges ¼” seam, leaving area between pins open. Clip all corners.

Step 5

Turn right sides out. Press. Take care to fold in raw edges at opening.

 

Step 6

Pin in place on TOP corners of quilt. When applying to a traditionally bound quilt, match edges just inside edge of binding. When applying to a faced quilt, depending on the width of the facing, you may need to overlap the facing. Take care to keep away from quilt edges in order to not show on the front.

Step 7

Hand stitch along the edges of the corner triangle that run parallel with the quilt edges. Take care to stitch through all layers (quilt backing, plus all layers of corner triangle) at the opening used to turn the corner triangle.

 

Your finished corner triangles will create small pockets that will be used to help us hang your quilt should it be accepted to the show.

Submissions for An Exploration in Sustainable Modern Quilting will be accepted through September 1, 2018. If your quilt is larger than 30″ it will need a hanging sleeve, that tutorial will be posted in the coming weeks. 

June – Autumn Chain

May 31, 2018 | 2018 Block of the Month, Tutorial

June – Autumn Chain

The June block is the Autumn Chain block. Your fabric selection can make this block very modern. This block uses squares, rectangle, half-square triangle (HST) units, and no waste flying geese (FG) units. Please reference our paired HST tutorial and no waste FG tutorial.

We suggest using six fabrics for this block. If you need help planning out your colors, you can download a coloring sheet for the whole quilt here.

Step 1

Cut pieces from your chosen fabrics.

Fabric A:

(2) 2.5” squares

(1) 2.5” X 6.5” rectangle

(1) 7.25” square for FG units

Fabric B:

(1) 4” square

(1) 3” square

Fabric C:

(1) 4” square

(1) 3” square

Fabric D:

(1) 4” square

(1) 3” square

Fabric E:

(1) 4” square

(1) 3” square

Fabric F:

(4) 4” squares for FG units

Units needed for Autumn Chain block:

(4) 3.5” X 6.5” A/F FG units

(2) 3.5” B/C HST units

(2) 3.5” D/E HST units

(2) 2.5” B/C HST units

(2) 2.5” D/E HST units

(2) 2.5” A squares

(1) 2.5” X 6.5” A rectangle

Step 2

Assemble B/C and D/E HST units. Pair 4” squares and trim to 3.5”. Pair 3” squares and trim to 2.5”.

Reference paired HST tutorial for detailed instructions.

Step 3

Assemble no waste FG units from (1) 7.25” A square and (4) 4” F squares. Trim units to 3.5” X 6.5”.

Reference no waste FG tutorial.

Step 4

Arrange block layout.

 

Step 5

Assemble center unit using small HST units, A squares, and A rectangle.

There will now be 9 unit sections in the overall block layout. See picture.

Step 6

Assemble block.

 

Step 7

Trim block to 12.5” square.

Boulder MQG members can download a PDF of the pattern in the member area.

Play along with us and make sure you share your blocks so we can see your progress! On Instagram use #bouldermqgbom18 and tag us @bouldermqg  On Facebook share your blocks on the Boulder Modern Quilt Guild page.We may even share your blocks on our blog, Facebook, or Instagram!

May – Weather Vane

Apr 26, 2018 | 2018 Block of the Month, Tutorial

May – Weather Vane

The May block is a traditional Weather Vane block. This block can take on a modern look when you select the right fabrics. It is constructed with squares, rectangles, half-square triangle (HST) units, and flying geese (FG) units. Please reference our HST and no waste FG tutorials for these units.

We suggest using three fabrics for this block. If you need help planning out your colors, you can download a coloring sheet for the whole quilt here.

Step 1

Cut pieces from your chosen fabrics.

Fabric A (white):

(4) 2.5” squares

(4) 3” squares for HST units

(4) 3” squares for FG units

(1) 4.5” square

Fabric B (green):

(4) 2.5” squares

(4) 3” squares for HST units

Fabric C (blue):

(4) 2.5” X 4.5” rectangles

(1) 5.25” square for FG units

Units needed for Weather Vane block:

(8) 2.5” A/B HST units

(4) 2.5” X 4.5” A/C FG units

(4) 2.5” X 4.5” C rectangles

(4) 2.5” A squares

(4) 2.5” B squares

(1) 4.5” A square

Step 2

Assemble (8) A/B HST units from 3” squares. Trim to 2.5”.

Reference paired HST tutorial for detailed instructions.

Step 3

Assemble no waste FG units from (1) 5.25” C square and (4) 3” A squares. Trim units to 2.5” X 4.5”.

Reference no waste FG tutorial for detailed instructions.

Step 4

Arrange block layout. Assemble pieces into 9 units before assembling block – 4-patches in corners, FG units paired with rectangles.

Step 5

Assemble block with 9-patch construction method.

Step 6

Trim block to 12.5” square.

Boulder MQG members can download a PDF of the pattern in the member area.

Play along with us and make sure you share your blocks so we can see your progress! On Instagram use #bouldermqgbom18 and tag us @bouldermqg  On Facebook share your blocks on the Boulder Modern Quilt Guild page.We may even share your blocks on our blog, Facebook, or Instagram!

April – Stacked Pyramids

Mar 31, 2018 | 2018 Block of the Month, Tutorial

April – Stacked Pyramids

By Laura Loewen

April’s block is a Stacked Pyramids block. You can create interesting effects with this block by selecting different fabric combinations. This block uses the no waste flying geese (FG) method. However, you will have some extra units to use for a future challenge project. Please reference the No Waste Flying Geese Tutorial for detailed instructions.

We suggest using six fabrics for this block. If you need help planning out your colors, you can download a coloring sheet for the whole quilt here.

 

Step 1

Cut fabric pieces from your chosen fabrics.

Fabric A:

(24) 3” squares

Fabric B:

(1) 5.25” square

Fabric C:

(1) 5.25” square

Fabric D:

(2) 5.25” squares

Fabric E:

(1) 5.25” square

Fabric F:

(1) 5.25” square

Units needed for Stacked Pyramids block:

(4) 2.5” X 4.5” A/B FG units

(4) 2.5” X 4.5” A/C FG units

(6) 2.5” X 4.5” A/D FG units [There will be (2) additional units from no waste method*]

(2) 2.5” X 4.5” A/E FG units [There will be (2) additional units from no waste method*]

(2) 2.5” X 4.5” A/F FG units [There will be (2) additional) units from no waste method*]

Step 2

Assemble FG units using no waste construction method.

Make one set each of A/B, A/C, A/E, and A/F FG units. Make 2 sets of A/D FG units.

Reference our no waste flying geese tutorial for detailed instructions.

Step 3

Arrange block layout.

Step 4

Begin block construction with inner most pieces. Continue assembly by working from center to outer most pieces. See photos for step-by-step assembly process.

Step 5

Trim block to 12.5” square.

Boulder MQG members can download a PDF of the pattern in the member area.

Play along with us and make sure you share your blocks so we can see your progress! On Instagram use #bouldermqgbom18 and tag us @bouldermqg  On Facebook share your blocks on the Boulder Modern Quilt Guild page. We may even share your blocks on our blog, Facebook, or Instagram!

*Make sure to save the extra pieces from your block for a special challenge project later in the year.

March – Squash Blossom

Feb 26, 2018 | 2018 Block of the Month, Tutorial

March – Squash Blossom

By Laura Loewen

Our March block is a Squash Blossom. This is a modern block with an Aztec feel. It uses squares, rectangles, half-square triangle (HST) units, and single flying geese (FG) units. Please reference our paired HST tutorial, and single FG tutorial for these units. Measurements given for single FG units allow for trimming to size as noted at the end of the single FG tutorial.

We suggest using three fabrics for this block. If you need help planning out your colors, you can download a coloring sheet for the whole quilt here, or just the January, February, and March blocks here.

Step 1

Cut fabric pieces from your chosen fabrics

Fabric A (white):

(4) 2.5” squares

(4) 2.5” X 4.5” rectangles

(2) 3” squares for HST units

(2) 2.75” X 4.75” rectangles for FG units

(4) 2.75” squares for FG units

Fabric B (black):

(4) 2.5” X 4.5” rectangles

(2) 3” squares for HST units

(4) 2.75” X 4.75” rectangles for FG units

(4) 2.75” squares for FG units

Fabric C (red):

(4) 2.75” squares for FG units

Units needed for Squash Blossom block:

(2) 2.5” X 4.5” A/B FG units

(2) 2.5” X 4.5” B/A FG units

(2) 2.5” X 4.5” B/C FG units

(4) 2.5” X 4.5” A rectangles

(4) 2.5” X 4.5” B rectangles

(4) 2.5” square A/B HST units

(4) 2.5” A squares

 

Step 2

Assemble A/B, B/A, and B/C single FG units.

Pair together (1) 2.75” X 4.75” A rectangle with (2) 2.75” B squares. X 2

Pair together (1) 2.75” X 4.75” B rectangle with (2) 2.75” A squares. X 2

Pair together (1) 2.75” X 4.75” B rectangle with (2) 2.75” C squares. X 2

Reference our single FG tutorial for detailed instructions.

Step 3

Assemble (4) 2.5” A/B HST units from 3” squares.

Reference paired HST tutorial for detailed instructions.

Step 4

Arrange block layout.

Step 5

Assemble pieces into 9 units as shown before assembling block.

Step 6

Trim block to 12.5” square.

Boulder MQG members can download a PDF of the pattern in the member area.

Play along with us and make sure you share your blocks so we can see your progress! On Instagram use #bouldermqgbom18 and tag us @bouldermqg  On Facebook share your blocks on the Boulder Modern Quilt Guild page.We may even share your blocks on our blog, Facebook, or Instagram!

February – Sawtooth Star

Jan 27, 2018 | 2018 Block of the Month, Tutorial

February – Sawtooth Star

 

By Laura Loewen

The Sawtooth Star has been around since 1884 and is one of the most iconic classic quilt blocks. Our February block is a simple divided variation. This effect makes the block bold and graphic. This block uses squares, rectangles, single flying geese (FG), and half-square triangle (HST) units. Please reference our paired HST tutorial and single flying goose tutorial for detailed steps in creating these units.

We suggest using two fabrics for this block. If you need help planning out your colors, you can download a coloring sheet for the whole quilt here, or just the January, February, and March blocks here.

Step 1

Cut fabric pieces from your chosen fabrics.

Fabric A (yellow):

(4) 3.5” squares

(2) 4” squares

(2) 3.5” X 6.5” rectangles

Fabric B (black):

(4) 3.5” squares

(2) 4” squares

(2) 3.5” X 6.5” rectangles

Units needed for Divided Sawtooth Star block:

(4) 3.5” A/B HST units

(2) 3.5” A squares

(2) 3.5” B squares

(1) 3.5” X 6.5” A rectangle

(1) 3.5” X 6.5” B rectangle

(1) 3.5” X 6.5” A/B FG unit

(1) 3.5” X 6.5” B/A FG unit

Step 2

Assemble (4) A/B HST units from 4” squares. Trim to 3.5”.

Reference paired HST tutorial for detailed instructions.

Step 3

Assemble A/B and B/A single FG units from (2) 3.5” squares of each color and (1) 3.5” X 6.5” rectangle of each color. Pair opposite colors to create opposite FG units.

Reference single FG tutorial for detailed instructions.

Step 4

Arrange your block layout.

Step 5

Assemble your block.

Step 6

Trim block to 12.5” square.

Boulder MQG members can download a PDF of the pattern in the member area.

Play along with us and make sure you share your blocks so we can see your progress! On Instagram use #bouldermqgbom18 and tag us @bouldermqg  On Facebook share your blocks on the Boulder Modern Quilt Guild page. We may even share your blocks on our blog, Facebook, or Instagram!