I started the test block for the Midnight Garden quilt and soon realized it might be tough to keep the pieces square and true. One way to helps this along is to cut some of the pieces a little large. That requires them to be cut down to size before they all go together. So I made a set of four templates to help with the process (they're hard to see - but plexiglass to the rescue!). One triangle to help with the fussy cutting, another to enlarge; the diamond will to trim those pieces down the size and the big triangle will ensure the block will be square.
Now that I've finished baking holiday cookies and got most of my cards sent, I'm hoping to spend some time working on this!
Your templates are a great idea! I often have trouble with blocks being out of shape a little bit. Making them bigger and trimming down works pretty well!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun project. I usually cut the pieces slightly bigger and trim to size before sewing them together. I makes life easier! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteMay I ask, how do you cut plexiglass to such an exact measurement? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe pattern had printable templates. I printed them, made cardboard templates - a little sturdier - as a guide to score the plexiglass. Scored plexiglass will snap along the score. I've done this a few times before - this was the best set yet. Took my time, then tested it (and sanded the rough edges).
DeleteHmm! Sounds pretty doable. Thanks for telling me this, Sally. Just to be clear, to score the plexiglass, I'd guess you'd run something sharp (an Exacto knife?) along a straight edge (the cardboard template)? I've never done anything like this, but it sounds worth trying. I did pay a glass shop once to cut a plexiglass square, but, darn it, they didn't cut it to the exact measurement.
DeleteI enjoy reading your blog. Thanks ~
Very pretty start, Sally! I had the same question as Debbie, so thanks for answering that above! The town we lived in about 10 years ago had a glass shop where they would cut my templates on plexiglass for me and charge me $1 or so--they were exact and sanded them for me, too! Great small town service!!! So I'm impressed you can do that all yourself!
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