It’s amazing how something as simple as inserting a pin can make just enough of a difference to throw things a bit. The glue idea is creative and helpful! Thank you
Perfectly demonstrated. I'm a serial glue baster, and I love it when people demonstrate the utility of glue. I use fine tipped applicator school glue as I prefer it to the paste glue in terms of performance and precision. A Creative Grid corner clipper is a great tool for this application and sewing with a scant 1/4. You could even use a strip for the replacement corner to cut down on waste. Glue basting the squares on 4x flying geese is also a perfect application. Fine tip keeps glue in seam line.
Yes, I always draw a line, if I have many to do, I have a folder with a piece of fine sandpaper taped on it, I then put my pieces on that and I have no slipping. This tip goes back a long way, but works for me anyway.
Thanks Cheryl! Yes - I think you're going to love it. The block I demonstrated was small - which usually makes it a challenge to get those corners straight and the block square, but the glue took all of the guess work out of it! Have a joyful quilting day!
It's a pleasure to have you here, Sandy! Thanks so much for subscribing! If you haven't already, be sure to get my free tip workshop at joyfulandmerryquilting.com!
Interesting, very interesting. I'll try it for myself. Thank you for this tip. My only concern is that if you routinely sew the second triangle for other projects it may not be able to separate the second triangle easily,
I have found using just a dab of the Elmer's Washable School Glue - it is more of a basting attachment rather than permanently gluing the squares together, Diana. I know there are other products that are more permanent and do leave a residue on the fabric, but I haven't had that issue with the washable school glue. It peels apart nicely and you can easily reuse the leftover triangles for another project.
That's a great suggestion! Thank you. My foundation piecing video covers the "square in a square" block. Here's the link if you'd like to watch: czcams.com/video/HQiFkf-2Bt0/video.html
The other thing you can check is your cutting. If the squares (the main square and the four smaller squares) aren't cut exactly right the block won't finish accurately. Also, when you say "sewing just outside the line" it depends on the thickness of your line. I use a .7mm pencil to mark my squares which has a fairly fine line but still strong enough lead to mark on fabric. If the line drawn is just a bit too wide and then you sew on the outside of that line, that can cause the accuracy to be off as well. I do have a video in my free workshop on joyfulandmerryquilting.com that explains cutting. Of course the smaller the squares, the more difficult it is to be accurate. When I follow the steps I outlined in this Tips Video, I have not had any problem with accuracy. I hope this helps Cecilia.
@Mary B I use .5 Frixion pens which are finer than the .7 Frixion ones - I thought the finer ones would help me, but they didn't. I get 1 out of 4 corners right. I think that I am pressing too hard maybe - that has to be the only thing left. I have the same problem with flying geese made with rectangles and squares - but am fine making them with the 4 at a time or FPP methods 🤣
It’s amazing how something as simple as inserting a pin can make just enough of a difference to throw things a bit. The glue idea is creative and helpful! Thank you
You're so welcome! I just used it on about...20-20 corners and it worked like a charm!!!
Excellent tip! Thanks so much. I have to make several 100 for this quilt. This will help me so much.
You're so welcome! Good Luck with your quilt!
Perfectly demonstrated. I'm a serial glue baster, and I love it when people demonstrate the utility of glue. I use fine tipped applicator school glue as I prefer it to the paste glue in terms of performance and precision. A Creative Grid corner clipper is a great tool for this application and sewing with a scant 1/4. You could even use a strip for the replacement corner to cut down on waste. Glue basting the squares on 4x flying geese is also a perfect application. Fine tip keeps glue in seam line.
Thank you Leisa! Lots of great info in your comment. I'll have to check out the Creative Grid Corner Clipper!
Thanks Mary--such a great tip! Elmer is our friend.
I agree! I had no idea something so simple could be so helpful in so many ways! Thanks Jeana!
I love glue basting but never thought to do it on a snow ball block. Thanks for the tip!!
You're welcome! I used to pin, but no more. I just use a washable glue stick.
Yes, I always draw a line, if I have many to do, I have a folder with a piece of fine sandpaper taped on it, I then put my pieces on that and I have no slipping. This tip goes back a long way, but works for me anyway.
Thank you! Isn't it amazing how many great tips there are there that lead us to the same end...a perfect block! Thank you so much for sharing Doreen!
Great tip. I always have several glue stick handy but never thought to do that trick.
Glad it was helpful! I have always have a glue stick close to my sewing machine. Inexpensive and works like a charm!
I just found your site. Excellent demonstration of the snowball block! I look forward to watching all your programs.
Thank you Mary and welcome! We're so happy to have you join our Joyful and Merry Quilting Community!
Great tip mary. I've been sewing a lot of squares in the corner for various patterns. I'll try it today!
Thanks Cheryl! Yes - I think you're going to love it. The block I demonstrated was small - which usually makes it a challenge to get those corners straight and the block square, but the glue took all of the guess work out of it! Have a joyful quilting day!
That is a good tip!
Thank you!
Great tip. I seem to struggle doing the snowballs. I can't tell you how many times I've had to rip them out! Thanks 👍👍
You're welcome! I'm amazed at how many uses a glue stick has when quilting! Thanks for watching!
Great tip, thank you! I’m a new Subscriber!😊
It's a pleasure to have you here, Sandy! Thanks so much for subscribing! If you haven't already, be sure to get my free tip workshop at joyfulandmerryquilting.com!
Interesting, very interesting. I'll try it for myself. Thank you for this tip. My only concern is that if you routinely sew the second triangle for other projects it may not be able to separate the second triangle easily,
I have found using just a dab of the Elmer's Washable School Glue - it is more of a basting attachment rather than permanently gluing the squares together, Diana. I know there are other products that are more permanent and do leave a residue on the fabric, but I haven't had that issue with the washable school glue. It peels apart nicely and you can easily reuse the leftover triangles for another project.
I am another glue baster. It works great.
I absolutely agree!
Do you have a tutorial on fool proof square in a square?
That's a great suggestion! Thank you. My foundation piecing video covers the "square in a square" block. Here's the link if you'd like to watch: czcams.com/video/HQiFkf-2Bt0/video.html
Would you add to your list of Tuesday Tips rotary blade sharpeners? Are they worth it? Thank you.
Absolutely JoAnn! Thanks so much for the suggestion! I will check those out and have a tips video on sharpeners this month.
I've tried glue, pins, sewing juat outside of the line - you name it and mine rarely come out perfect
The other thing you can check is your cutting. If the squares (the main square and the four smaller squares) aren't cut exactly right the block won't finish accurately. Also, when you say "sewing just outside the line" it depends on the thickness of your line. I use a .7mm pencil to mark my squares which has a fairly fine line but still strong enough lead to mark on fabric. If the line drawn is just a bit too wide and then you sew on the outside of that line, that can cause the accuracy to be off as well. I do have a video in my free workshop on joyfulandmerryquilting.com that explains cutting. Of course the smaller the squares, the more difficult it is to be accurate. When I follow the steps I outlined in this Tips Video, I have not had any problem with accuracy. I hope this helps Cecilia.
@Mary B I use .5 Frixion pens which are finer than the .7 Frixion ones - I thought the finer ones would help me, but they didn't. I get 1 out of 4 corners right. I think that I am pressing too hard maybe - that has to be the only thing left. I have the same problem with flying geese made with rectangles and squares - but am fine making them with the 4 at a time or FPP methods 🤣
A mechanical pencil is best!
Yes - inexpensive and works like a charm! Thanks for watching!
Great tip!! @Stella Quilts
You're so welcome!