Today I’ve been working on some triangles and half-hexagons for my new projects. Just wanted to show you a little sneak pick on my working and thinking process.

My idea is to create pieced units for kaleidoscope quilts using an embroidery machine (in-the-hoop technique). I would love to make tons of such designs right away. However, there are also many things to consider before designing and digitizing (punching) actual blocks. First of all, it’s seam allowance. Should I include one into the design or not? Both options have their pros and cons. I’ve spent literally hours trying different options.

No seam allowance

If I don’t include any seam allowance, the design is going to be smaller and fit in a smaller hoop (which is important as I want to create more designs suitable for machines with small embroidery areas such as 4”x4”). Also it means less work for me as digitiser. However, there is also a huge disadvantage because finished blocks have to be stitched together right along the line of stitches that tack pieces of fabric to stabiliser. It means that while assembling a quilt, I should stitch just inside these lines in order to prevent these stitches from showing on my quilt top. And this means that accuracy will suffer.

1/4” seam allowance

At first, I decided to include ¼” seam allowance into my blocks. Here I love the fact that I don’t need to be constantly aware of stitches that may be shown on the quilt top after putting my blocks together. Basically, the process of assembling the quilt top is pretty similar to traditional way. But I also discovered, that if I trim my blocks right along the line that marks the seam allowance, some treads will be cut (which is not a big deal) and stuck into my rotary mat (and I didn’t like that).

Other solution

Also I thought about the fact that grids on rulers are slightly different, it means that seam allowances cut with different rulers may vary slightly (as well as seam allowance on various machines) and this gave me an idea, that every quilter should cut their seam allowance using their own ruler. This way, pieced-in-the-hoops blocks will have the same seam allowance as pieced in a traditional way blocks used in the same quilt. Finally I found a better solution: to include ¼” seam allowance AND additional 1/8” for trimming into my blocks.

Bottom line

Eventually decided to include 1/4” seam allowance plus 1/8” for trimming into my blocks. This option doesn’t really uses more fabric than traditional paper piecing method providing the best accuracy.

Okie dokie, that was intense. Hope I didn’t overwhelm you.

Take care!

Jo