I am planning out a table runner I want to make. I am using my own ideas, not coping anything. I am planning on using traditional blocks I will set on point. My question is, if a set a 12 inch block on point, add triangles to make it a square, what is the size of my final square?

Janie

Janie, I'm going to double check (memory's not always reliable ) but I believe you multiply your finished block size by 1.414 - let me go check..................

Yeppers!! here's a link
http://www.mccallsquilting.com/lessons/opsets/

Have fun with this!

Gerda

Gerda! Someone! Please explain this to me. I knew how to do this until I read the explanation, now I am having a major blonde moment and am terribly confused. Sometimes ignorance is truely bliss and, while the truth may set you free, it may also leave you confounded and bewildered! LOL

Are they saying to measure the block on point diagonally? I don't think that's how I did it. What difference does it make if there is sashing? The triangle still has to have a seam allowence and be big enough to be straight and flush whether it is against the imaginary line along the edge of the quilt or next to sashing.

I definitely need a heads-up here. Was going to cut out some quarter-square triangles for two quilts today. Now I reluctent to do so. Was this a case of maybe I should have left well-enough alone? LOL

Meg- I believe that the sashing matters, because of the length... I haven't used the link that Gerda gave before, I have a book about reproduction quilts that has a wonderful size chart for every size block imaginable, and what size to cut the squares for setting triangles and corners.

Hello ..

I am looking in my Darlene Zimmerman's "Quilting: The Complete Guide" ... which I have by my sewing machine for a handy reference. I can never remember all these formulas ... the book says ...

To MULTIPLY the finished size of the block by 1.414 ... then ADD 1.25 ... then ROUND UP to the nearest 1/2 inch and CUT a SQUARE that size ...

Then CUT on the diagonal TWICE ... by only moving the ruler, not the square ... to get four setting triangles that will be slightly larger than needed ... trim to square and size afterward ...

Example given ... 12" block ...

12" x 1.414 + 16.968 + 1.25 = 18.21 ...

ROUND UP to cut 18.5" squares ...

then cut them diagonally into four triangles for the Side Setting Triangles ...

For Corner Setting Triangles she says to add 7/8" or 0.875 (instead of 1.25) and to cut ONCE on the diagonal.

She gives pictures and a table of common setting sizes.

I have found this book to be a wonderful resource for my quilting. Anytime I need an answer it is there in nice easy steps with pictures. I love the book!

I am new but reading through some of your threads (posts) I hope this link will also help you she also gives you measurements on the yardage you will need.. this is a great site for many things and I go to her often

I am not affiliated in anyway

Measurements HST/on point and yardage