Friday, January 27, 2017

My Secrets to Piecing 60-Degree Triangles



For this tutorial I am going to show you how to sew 60-degree triangles together into pairs, then rows & then put the rows together. 


3 1/2" triangles are shown here. The concepts are the same for other size triangles cut from the Hex N More, Sidekick and Super Sidekick rulers. 


The triangles are all arranged with the blunt point up or down. 


Take the 2nd triangle and place it on top of the first, right sides together. 


Alignment is key. Make sure they are exactly on top of each other before sewing them together with a 1/4" seam. Press seams open.


Here is the sewn pair back together with the other triangles. 


After sewing the 1/4" seam, check to measure that it is accurate. 


I know this can feel tedious, but accuracy matters. Any mistake in seam allowances at this point will just compound as you continue with your project. 


If the seam is off, make adjustments with your machine or where you place the fabric to get it accurate. It is best to stop and correct any seam allowance issues now.


Repeat the steps with other pairs as shown. If your row has an odd number of triangles, just leave the last one as a single.


Next we will sew two sets together.


Flip the right set up and over on top of the left set as shown. Align the point of the 3rd triangle with the dog ear created from sewing the first set together.



Align the top right corner point of the 2nd triangle with the dog ear created from sewing the second set together.


Sew a 1/4" seam. Press the seams open.


Again check to measure that it is accurate.


Here are the sewn 4 triangles back together with the other triangles & sets.


Finish sewing together all of the sets and single triangles in each row.


Confirm that the points of each triangle are 1/4" in from the edge of the seam. This way they will be exactly where you want them to be once you start sewing rows together.


Place the two rows right sides together. Put a pin in at the exact point where the triangles meet.


Carefully push the pin through to the second piece where the triangles meet.



Your piece should look like this. Now put two pins in the piece as you would normally pin, one on either side of this straight pin. Be careful to make sure that you keep this pin perpendicular to the seam when adding the other two pins. Once those pins have been added you can remove this pin. 


Repeat at the other intersection of triangle points. Sew the two rows together with a quarter inch seam. Press open.


Now you have 6 triangles points that meet up perfectly!


Here's the back of my completed piece so that you can see where all of the seams are etc.

My finished piece measures 6 1/2" tall x 11" wide at the middle. 

Practice and accuracy are my secrets to making points match when sewing triangles and other 60-degree shapes. 

To learn more about how to add blunt points to 60-degree diamonds, check out my Sidekick Diamonds Tutorial.

To practice sewing with 60-degree triangles, check out my Picnic Placemat Tutorial.

Enjoy!



©2017 - 2022 Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/