Beginner's Guide to Quilting - UK (2020-02)

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Why just stick to squares when you can

whip up pretty patchwork from simple

triangles, diamonds and more?

ALL ABOUT

SHAPES

Squares and strips are great for

creating simple patchwork designs, but

once you’ve caught the patchwork bug

it won’t be long before you want to

start introducing new shapes to your

cutting table to bring interest and

movement to your pieces. Triangles,

diamonds, curves, hexagons... There are

so many fun shapes to choose from, but

where do you begin? Specialist rulers are

available in a huge array of shapes and

sizes, or you can cut and assemble your

own shapes using a few quilting basics.

Working with Triangles

Two of the most popular triangles you’ll

come across are Half-square and Quarter-

square Triangles, both right-angled. Turn

to pages 83 and 93 for our step-by-step

guides to cutting and piecing these

shapes. They’re easy to make from

squares so are an ideal starter project.

Another popular triangle is the equilateral

type as its sides are all the same length

which makes it easier to join lots together.

Here’s how to make them...

Cutting equilateral triangles

Using a quilter’s ruler (with 60-degree

and 45-degree marks), work out what

height your triangles need to be, then

add ¾in for the seams. Cut a fabric strip

to match the width – for example, if a

finished triangle needs to be 2in, the strip

will be 2¾in wide. Position the ruler so

that its 60-degree mark lines up with the

top edge of the strip and cut.

Reposition the ruler so the other

60-degree line lies along the bottom

edge of the fabric strip and the edge of

the ruler is at the top corner. Cut your first

triangle. Reposition the ruler again, using

the angle marks as your guide. Repeat

until you’ve cut the whole strip.

Piecing equilateral triangles

To join the equilateral triangles in rows

for blocks or borders, try using the

‘offset seam’ method. This ensures that

a finished row of triangles has a straight

edge along the top and bottom.

Cut a batch of triangles, then sew and

press the first two together with a normal

¼in seam, matching up the edges at the

top and bottom points.

Place the third triangle right sides

together with the sewn pair, but this

time align the new triangle just at the top,

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HOW TO CUT AND PIECE EQUILATERAL TRIANGLES

03 04

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Align the prints

of both triangles

Offset at

the base

Rotate ruler so the

other 60-degree

line runs across

the bottom of the

strip

6 0-degree line runs

along the top of

your fabric strip

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