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My favorite rulers and how to piece triangles

April 18, 2019 16 Comments

How to piece triangles

I have been quilting for almost 19 years and you may be thinking that during this time I have accumulated a mountain of rulers for making quilts. Well, I am not hoarding rulers!

I have a few “speciality” rulers (made specifically for a quilt, they are wonderful, but I used them once and then forgot about them!), but other than these, I own and use all the time these 5 rulers.

If you are a beginning quilter and don’t know which rulers are the most used in piecing quilts, I hope this will give you some ideas.

    1. A long, rectangular ruler – 6 1/2”  x  24 1/2”
      This is the first ruler I bought and I use it all the time.
      There is a wider version, too (8 1/2”  x  24 1/2”), I am sure that it is useful but I think it is easier to work with the 6 1/2” version.
    2. A 12 1/2”  square ruler.
    3.  An equilateral triangle ruler. 

      I had ONLY these three rulers for many years, maybe my first 10 years! Then I added these rulers:

    4. A 7 1/2” square ruler – a SMALL ruler
    5. A 20 1/2” square ruler – a HUGE ruler (extremely useful, including for squaring up quilts).All my rulers are from Creative Grids – my favorite brand! The marking is highly visible on any fabric and they don’t slip on fabric.

As you see, I find quickly what I need! I don’t waste time thinking which ruler should I use to cut those squares. Sometimes having fewer options is better!

How to cut equilateral triangles using a long rectangular ruler

If you don’t have the equilateral triangle ruler, I will show you below how to cut triangles with the rectangular ruler. This is good to know even if you have the triangle ruler, because sometimes you need triangles bigger than your ruler!

In an equilateral triangle all three sides have the same length and each angle measures 60 degrees.

Cut strips in the size you need.
Align the 60-degree line of the ruler with the bottom edge of the fabric strip as shown. Cut along the left side of the ruler.

How to cut triangles with rectangle ruler

Here is the first cut.

Rotate the ruler. Align the other 60-degree line of the ruler along the bottom edge of the strip and the right edge at the upper corner (see the yellow arrow), as shown.

How to cut triangles with rectangle rulerHere is the first triangle.

How to cut triangles with rectangle rulerContinue in the same way and cut all the triangles needed.

How to cut triangles with rectangle ruler
How to piece equilateral triangles

Now that you are able to cut your triangles, let’s see how to piece them together. I know many quilters are afraid of this! I will show you how to do it –  some pins will make the job easier!

A. Piecing triangles in rows

Place two triangles right sides together and stitch using a 1/4” seam allowances.

How to piece triangles

Pressing the seams
Because just one of the triangle edges is cut straight on the grain and the other two are cut on bias, press the seams with much care to not distort the bias edges. I usually just finger press them.

For easy and accurate piecing with beautifully matched seams, press the seam allowances in opposite directions from row to row. Plan this accordingly!

1. If the seam allowances are pressed under the pink triangle, there is no problem when adding the third triangle. The edge of the purple triangle is not altered – both edges that has to be stitched together have the same size.

How to piece triangles

2. If the seam allowances are pressed under the purple triangle, the edge of the third triangle is longer than the edge of the purple triangle.

How to piece triangles

Turn the third triangle right side down aligning the top points.

How to piece triangles

There will be a tiny triangle of fabric extending past the bottom edge. It must have the same size as the one you got from the previous seam (the purple one).

How to piece triangles

Stitch along the edges.
For perfectly aligned edges, the seam should hit the intersection point shown by the yellow arrow below (mine is a little off!).

How to piece triangles

Press the seam allowances in the same direction (under the pink triangle) and trim away the “dog ear”. The bottom edges are now perfectly lined up.

Note

If the triangles are not distorted while sewing or pressing, there is no need to use pins while piecing. But use them if you find they are helpful. Do not stitch over pins!

How to piece triangles

B. Joining two rows

These two rows will be sewn together. Note the seam allowances pressed in different directions. I always use pins when I am joining two rows.

How to piece triangles

Place the two rows together.
First I match the intersection points.
Align the raw edges even and insert a pin, perpendicular to the seam line (IMPORTANT), through the two intersection points.
In the picture below the pin is not placed perpendicular only for making the picture more clear.

Then continue aligning and pinning the remaining edges.

How to piece triangles

How to piece triangles

Stitch along the edges and remove the pins just before reaching the sewing machine needle.
Sew with a SCANT 1/4” seam allowance (move your needle one notch to the right); you will sew one or two threads above the intersection points. This will allow room for turning and pressing.

Sew with small stitches if you want to press the seam allowances open.

How to piece triangles

You can press the seam open – this creates less bulk on the back side of the quilt top but it is a time consuming task. I usually press the seams to one side. 

How to piece triangles

Here is one of  my quilts pieced this way.

How to piece triangles

I hope you find this tutorial useful. Don’t bother if not all your seams are perfectly aligned and the points are not so sharp. Mine aren’t either, but I don’t consider this the most important thing. FINISHED is better than PERFECT!

Do you need ideas for new patchwork quilts? Check out my patterns here.


Happy sewing!


PIN this for later!

How to piece triangles

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Filed Under: quilting tutorials

Comments

  1. Carol Kohlscheen says

    April 18, 2019 at 3:53 pm

    great information, nicely stated.

    Reply
  2. Glenna C Denman says

    April 18, 2019 at 4:03 pm

    Thank you for this excellent advise about cutting and sewing equilateral triangles. Also, I agree with you about not needing a lot of specialty rulers, the ones you mention are quite adequate. I do also use a 4 1/2″ ruler, but that is just because I love to make small blocks so have a need a small ruler. I always enjoy your articles, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and creativity.

    Reply
  3. Gwen Settle says

    April 18, 2019 at 4:21 pm

    Thank you for the free ebook on free motion quilting AND for the 20 tips & tools document.

    Reply
  4. Sandra Aston says

    April 18, 2019 at 4:46 pm

    Thanks for sharing your equilateral triangle cutting and sewing method. I’m into bags at present and your instructions are always spot on.

    Reply
  5. Rosalee says

    April 18, 2019 at 11:55 pm

    Geta, thank you so much for all this helpful information! I have this pattern and will be ready to take it on now. Thanks for all you do, you are truly appreciated!

    Reply
  6. Marcia H Baker says

    April 19, 2019 at 12:01 am

    Thanks for this tutorial

    Reply
  7. Louise says

    April 19, 2019 at 2:40 pm

    Thanks for the great tips.I liked how you used a pin to match both the intersection points perpendicular to the seam line.

    Reply
  8. Pat says

    April 29, 2019 at 12:24 pm

    Thanks, I love how clear and understandable you tutorial is.
    I always learn something new or something I had forgotten.
    Thank you

    Reply
  9. Linda Moreno says

    May 6, 2019 at 6:54 pm

    I looks easy and I am going to try it. Do you have a tutorial on sewing the Y seam an easy way.

    Reply
  10. Helene hunt says

    June 21, 2019 at 9:34 pm

    Thanks so much for a lot of excellent information in such a clear way.

    Reply
  11. Vivian Oaks says

    December 28, 2019 at 4:07 pm

    Thank you so much, Geta, for all the great tutorials you give us so freely!! I may actually be ready to try triangles, after having read your article. You make it look so easy, even though I know it’s not! Have a great start to the New Year. May it be a productive and enlightening year for you. Blessings!!

    Reply
  12. Seyda Borahan says

    May 18, 2021 at 12:41 pm

    Thank you very much for the clear instructions, it was very helpful.

    Reply
  13. May says

    May 21, 2021 at 3:42 pm

    You produce so many lovely items, do you ever sleep? 🤪 Thank you for the information you so generously share.

    Reply
  14. Jenna Jordan says

    November 5, 2022 at 4:13 pm

    What is the pink/mauve fabric shown in tutorial? I thought it might be boundless blender but I cannot seem to find one like that. I’m obsessed with it and would love any info please!

    Thanks 🙂

    Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      November 5, 2022 at 4:26 pm

      This fabric is very old, find info here:
      https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/2010/07/beautiful-fabrics.html

      Reply
  15. Prtal Berita says

    October 9, 2024 at 8:32 am

    How does the author suggest cutting equilateral triangles using a long rectangular ruler?

    Regard Prtal Berita

    Reply

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