Mastering The Art Of Flat Cornerstones In Wedding Ring Quilts

A cornerstone is a small square that separates the sashing strips at the corner of each block in a quilt. They can be used to add a pop of colour to a quilt, or to include a specific colour that is not already featured in the quilt blocks. When making a wedding ring quilt, it is important to cut your fabric into precise shapes and to piece your arcs and melons together with a quarter-inch seam allowance. You can use a pin to help keep the pieces aligned. Press your seams and attach your cornerstone pieces to the arcs. Stitch the arc with the cornerstones onto your melons, and then attach the melons to your centrepiece one at a time, aligning the centre notches on both pieces.

Use starch or lightweight interfacing to stabilise fabric

Using starch or lightweight interfacing to stabilise fabric is a great way to ensure your quilt lies flat. Here are some detailed instructions to help you with this process:

Firstly, select a suitable starch or interfacing product. You can opt for a commercial spray starch such as Niagara or Faultless, or go for a starch alternative like Mary Ellen's Best Press. If you want to add body to your fabric without making it too stiff, sizing products like Magic Sizing are a good choice. For a versatile liquid fabric stabiliser, consider Terial Magic.

Before you begin, make sure you have prepared your fabric by cutting it into manageable chunks. Work with pieces that you need for your quilt project.

If you're using a spray starch, shake the bottle well and spray it onto the right side of your fabric. You can also spray it onto the wrong side first and then press on the opposite side to avoid any scorch marks on the fabric's exterior. Fold the fabric and gently pat it so that the starch penetrates the fibres. Repeat this process if you want your fabric to be stiffer.

For liquid starch or sizing, you can either spray or dunk your fabric. If dunking, squeeze out the excess liquid and let it air dry until damp before ironing.

When using an iron, set it to a hot temperature and press the fabric gently. Avoid stretching the fabric as you work. You can also use a clapper to set your seams.

By stabilising your fabric with starch or lightweight interfacing, you can prevent distortion and ensure your quilt lies flat. This technique is especially useful for lightweight or stretchy fabrics that are more prone to waviness.

Remember to always follow the instructions on your chosen product and test on a small piece of fabric first to ensure you're happy with the results.

Ensure quilt is squared before finishing edges

Ensuring that your quilt is squared before finishing the edges is a crucial step in the quilt-making process. Here are some detailed instructions to help you achieve this:

Tools You'll Need:

• A large flat surface, such as a table or the floor, to lay out your quilt.
• A rotary-cutting mat, ideally the largest size possible.
• A large acrylic square ruler, preferably around 16.5" square or bigger.
• A rotary cutter for trimming the edges.
• A long ruler for additional straight-edge guidance.

Steps to Square Your Quilt:

Step 1: Position Your Quilt:

Lay your quilt on the rotary-cutting mat, smoothing it out as best you can. Make sure you always cut on the mat and not on your table or the floor. Position the large acrylic square ruler in one corner of the quilt, aligning adjacent edges of the ruler with the adjacent edges of the quilt top.

Step 2: Trim the First Corner:

Using your rotary cutter, trim the first corner of the quilt, making a 90-degree angle. If you don't have a square ruler, you can use a longer ruler or even two rulers to guide your cut.

Step 3: Trim the First Edge:

Once the first corner is squared, continue trimming the first side of the quilt, cutting away any uneven edges. Use your long ruler to align with the previously cut edge and the outer edge of the fabric. Smooth out your quilt as you work to ensure it lays flat.

Step 4: Repeat for All Corners and Sides:

After trimming the first corner and side, adjust your quilt so that the next corner is positioned on the cutting mat. Line up your ruler with the side and the top of the quilt to create another 90-degree angle. Trim this corner, then continue trimming the adjacent side. Repeat this process for all four sides and corners of your quilt until they are all squared.

Additional Tips:

• It's important to note that no quilt is perfectly square. However, ensuring that your corners are 90-degree angles will help you achieve nice mitered corners when you bind your quilt.
• If you're working with a quilt that has points along the outer edges, be careful not to trim off those points. Leave a generous quarter-inch seam allowance to preserve the points and create a straight edge.
• Before trimming, consider if you need to square your quilt before adding borders. This step is important to ensure your quilt lies flat and doesn't develop bubbles when quilted.
• If you're trimming a significant amount from your quilt, keep in mind that you may alter the proportion and balance of the borders.

By following these steps and tips, you'll be well on your way to ensuring your quilt is squared before finishing the edges, setting yourself up for a beautiful and professional-looking final product.

Keep seam allowances consistent and accurate

Keeping seam allowances consistent and accurate is crucial when making a wedding ring quilt lie flat. Inconsistent seam allowances can lead to distortion, causing the quilt to wave or pucker. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Firstly, use tools such as the Sew Standard Seam Guide to help you sew accurate and even seams throughout the quilt. This will ensure that your seam allowances are consistent from block to block. It is also important to not pull or stretch your pieces when sewing, especially if they are off in size. Recutting fabric for piecing is always preferable to avoid distorting the final block.

Secondly, pressing your seams with a hot iron will help your blocks lay flat. You can set the seam by pressing it closed without opening it up first. Then, press the seam to the side or open it, following the pattern instructions. Avoid stretching the fabric as you press, whether by pulling on the seam or the bias.

Thirdly, pay attention to the fabric you choose. Some fabrics are more prone to distortion, such as lighter weight fabrics like voile, lawn, or crossweaves, or stretchy fabrics like jersey knits. To counter this, you can stabilise your fabric with starch or include lightweight interfacing.

Finally, when layering your quilt, ensure that all layers are smooth and free of wrinkles. Check for ripples as you baste and smooth them out before using basting spray or pins to hold the layers together. This will prevent the fabric from shifting and creating waves during quilting.

Press seams with a hot iron

Pressing your seams with a hot iron is an important step in quilting. It helps to create a flat and smooth surface for your quilt, ensuring that the seams are crisp and precise. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for pressing seams with a hot iron when making a wedding ring quilt:

Choose the Right Iron: Select an iron that has a steam function and can reach a high temperature. The Rowenta Perfect Steam Pro Iron is a popular choice among quilters.

Prepare Your Work Area: Ensure your ironing board is set up and ready to use. It's important to have a stable and heat-resistant surface for pressing your seams.

Iron Your Fabric: Before cutting and sewing your fabric, it's a good idea to iron it first. This will remove any wrinkles and create a smooth base for your quilt. Leave the fabric folded in half and iron it, then iron out the crease later to save time.

Cut Your Fabric: Using a rotary cutter and quilting ruler, cut your fabric into the required strips and pieces for your quilt. For example, you might need to cut 2.5-inch by width-of-fabric strips for the sashing and cornerstones.

Pin Your Seams: Before pressing, pin your seams to hold them in place temporarily. This will help you achieve precise and aligned seams.

Press Seams Closed: Start by pressing your seams closed without opening them up. This will set the seam and create a flatter finish. Use the hot iron to press the fabric, being careful not to stretch or distort it.

Press Seams Open or to the Side: Follow the instructions of your quilt pattern to press the seams open or to the side. For example, when making a double wedding ring quilt, you would attach the cornerstone pieces to the arcs and then press the seams with a hot iron.

Use a Clapper: A clapper is a handy tool that helps to set your seams and create a crisp finish. Use it in conjunction with your hot iron to achieve the best results.

Avoid Stretching the Fabric: When pressing, be careful not to stretch the fabric, especially on the bias. Gently guide the iron along the seams, allowing the heat to set the fabric in place.

Check for Consistency: Ensure that your seam allowances are consistent throughout the quilt. Inconsistent seam allowances can lead to distortion and cause the quilt to wave or pucker.

Press as You Go: It's a good idea to press your seams after completing each row or section of your quilt. This helps to prevent the fabric from becoming too pliable and difficult to work with.

By following these instructions and tips, you'll be able to press your seams effectively and create a beautiful and flat wedding ring quilt. Remember to take your time, use the right tools, and always be cautious when working with a hot iron.

Smooth out layers and check for ripples before basting

When layering your quilt, it's important to ensure that all layers are smooth and ripple-free. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Firstly, use a hard, flat surface that is larger than your quilt. A large table or even the floor can work, as long as it's clean and free from debris. If using the floor, you may want to protect your knees and back with a soft mat or cushion.

Place your backing fabric on the surface, right side down, and smooth out any wrinkles or creases. Use tape to secure the fabric to the surface, pulling it taut to ensure it lies flat. If using a table, you can use clamps to hold the fabric in place.

Next, add the batting layer, slowly and methodically smoothing out small areas at a time, working outward from one corner. Ensure the batting is wrinkle-free and realign the clamps to secure both the backing and batting layers.

Then, place your quilt top, right side up, over the batting and backing layers. Smooth out any wrinkles or creases, adding this layer to the clamps or tape.

At this point, you can use basting spray to help hold the layers together. Alternatively, you can use safety pins, placing them every 4-6 inches across the quilt, making sure they go through all layers. Work from the centre outwards and pay close attention to tricky areas, adding as many pins as needed.

Once the layers are basted, carefully trim any excess fabric that extends beyond the edges of the quilt.

Taking the time to smooth out the layers and check for ripples before basting will help ensure that your quilt lies flat and prevent the fabric from shifting and creating waves during quilting.

Frequently asked questions