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07

Jan

2010

Block of the Month - February Print E-mail
Written by Carol Smith   

Tips for constructing the Saw Tooth block that we’ll be drawing for at the Feb. meeting.

  • For this block I cut my fabric a little differently than the directions from Quilters Cache. I cut four background 3½” squares; four background 4” squares and four navy 4” squares; two background 4” squares and two green 4” squares. (Each of the squares in the photo are two layers.)

saw tooth 001

  • Here’s my reasoning for the change in directions. Measuring 3-7/8” is not the easiest, and then if you don’t cut the square in half exactly right or if your seam is off even a little, you don’t get the 3½” half-square triangle you should have.
  • So I cut my squares that will be made into half-square triangles a little bigger (4” square). Cut these squares in half along the diagonal.

saw tooth 002

  • Chain-sew the triangles together with an accurate quarter-inch seam.

saw tooth 003

  • A word about chain sewing: Use your needle-down option if your machine has this feature. After you complete one piece, stop, lift the presser foot and position the next piece just in front of the needle.

saw tooth 004

  • Lower the presser foot and sew. Make sure to guide the fabric until it is completely past the needle.

saw tooth 005

saw tooth 006

  • After sewing the four green and background half-square triangles, and the eight blue and background half-square triangles, its time to press.
  • By the way, you may have noticed I used a stripe for my blue fabric. If you choose to use a stripe, try cutting two of the squares in one direction and the other two in the opposite direction.
  • When you press, be sure to set the seam.

saw tooth 013

  • Finger-press.

saw tooth 014

  • Then glide the iron over the seam.

saw tooth 015

  • Press each of the green half-square triangles toward the green. Press four of the blue half-square triangles toward the blue, and the other four toward the background fabric.

saw tooth 016

  • Since I cut my square a little big, now I need to square up each half-square triangle to exactly 3½” square. I know this takes a little more time, but I love the accuracy. Start by aligning the 45° line along the diagonal seam. Shift the ruler so the 3½” marks are just inside the square and the right and top edges of the ruler are inside the square.
  • Trim the right and top edges.

saw tooth 018

  • Rotate the block 180° and line up the 3½” marks along the bottom and left edges of the block. Trim along the right and top edges.

saw tooth 020

  • Square up all twelve half-square triangles.
  • Next we’ll join the four green half-square triangles to form the pinwheel for the center of the block. Layout the four half-square triangles as shown.

saw tooth 023

  • Lay the right half-square triangle over the one on the left and sew along the right edge. Press toward the background triangle.
  • STOP! Check to make sure this unit measures 3½” by 6½”. If it doesn’t, make adjustments in your seam allowance now.
  • Sew the two halves together. The seams should lock at the center.

saw tooth 028

  • Remove the two or three vertical stitches on the front and back of the piece.

saw tooth 031

  • Now you should be able to swirl the seams and press the seams toward the background triangles.

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  • Next sew the blue half-square triangles together as shown.

saw tooth 036

  • The diagonal seams should lock.

saw tooth 038

  • Place the unit as shown on your ironing surface.

saw tooth 039

  • Set the seam and press.

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  • Layout the units that make the block. Did you notice it’s just a nine-patch?

saw tooth 041

  • Stitch the 3½” background squares to each side of the blue units, press toward the background square.
  • Stitch the blue units to each side of the pinwheel, press toward the pinwheel.

saw tooth 043

  • Stitch the last two seams and press toward the center of the block.

saw tooth 048

  • Does your finished block measure 12½” square? Hope so!

saw tooth 045

I’ve noticed this part of our website has been getting a lot of hits which is great! I hope these tips are helpful and any feedback you can give me would be really appreciated! Carol

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Comments (4)add comment

Roberta said:

Roberta
Block of Month Praises
What a wonderful demo on making this block. This method shows even a beginner just how to do it and I cannot imagine the time it took you to do all of this for us. Bless you, my dear!! Thank you so much for all your work.
 
January 11, 2010
Votes: +4

Debbie L said:

Debbie L
Block of the Month
Fabulous demo! I am going to get busy on mine.
 
January 26, 2010
Votes: +0

SKenney said:

SKenney
Thanks for the BOM Demo
I hope this will encourage new quilters to try more advanced piecing techniques. The results are worth the extra time and attention needed. If a quilter is looking for a challenge I'd recommend the book "Mastering Precision Piecing" by expert Sally Collins.
 
February 03, 2010
Votes: +1

chesndar said:

chesndar
...
I sure wish I had seen this demo before I started making my pinwheel quilt. It turned out very nicely, but a lot more hassle the way I did it. I will keep this one for future reference.
 
February 19, 2010
Votes: +0

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