Are You a Quilting Cheater?

I was going to label this post -- are you a cheater?  Then remembering this is the internet and thought I needed to tone it down a bit.

Back when I started quilting, I had a book from Mary Ellen Hopkins entitled "It's OK if you Sit on My Quilt Book".  In this book she introduced the quilting world to connector corners.  I think this may have been one of the techniques that revolutionized modern day quilting.  Over the years I have heard a number of names for the technique including "cheater corner" and "folded corner". 

The technique refers to a method of adding triangles to a quilt block.  It is frequently the suggested method for creating snowball blocks, square within a square units and flying geese units.  Although I've used the technique over the years, I found that I would have some fabric slippage or I would stretch the fabric in the pressing process -- resulting in less than perfect results.

Traditional Folded Corner. The line highlighted in blue is the sewing line.

Traditional Folded Corner Finished

A couple of months ago my friend Karen S. introduced me to the Perfect Corner Ruler™.  It is built off the Folded Corner concept.  However the variation on the technique gets rid of some of the challenges with the folded corners.

The Perfect Corner Method™ and Ruler™ were both developed by
Ruthanna Grihalva, Forever In Stitches, LLC.

How to Use the Perfect Corner Ruler

Using the ruler, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the base piece of fabric (this is the  piece the corner will be added to).  The measurement to use for this line  is exactly the same as your folded corner measurement.

Perfect Corner Ruler Used to Draw Lines

Cut corners.  The square these corners are cut from will be 3/4" greater than the drawn line square.  (The ruler will tell you what that measurement is.  And when I incorporate these instructions in a pattern I do the same.)

Place one of the Corner Triangles underneath the Base unit (right sides together).  You will want to make sure that about 1/4" of Corner Triangle extends beyond the sewing line.

The sew directly on the line.

Pieces Put Right Sides Together

Sew on Drawn Line

Fold the Corner Triangle into position.  An added benefit is that the seam allowance can be pressed either away from or towards the corner.

Unit with Perfect Corner after Pressing

Here is the MAGIC!  Align a square ruler to the original size of the Base Unit and trim off the excess Corner Triangle fabric.

Finish by folding the Corner Triangle down out of the way and trimming the excess base unit fabric.

Excess Corner Fabric Trimmed from the Back

Finished View from Front

Finished View from Back

I have found that I am more accurate when I use this technique.  It can be done without the "official" ruler -- but I can't resist adding another tool to my quilting supplies.  And I think the ruler makes the process go a little bit faster.

I've incorporated the technique in my latest pattern - Theodore, Ted and Tad Bowties.  Take a look if you are interested in a fun "guy quilt". 

Theodore, Tad and Ted Bowties - Miniature Version

On Point Quilter Goes Social

I officially launched my Facebook page this week.  To celebrate 
I will be doing a drawing for all my Facebook fans.   The winner will receive copies of my two latest quilt patterns (It’s a  Mystery and Theodore, Ted and Tad Bowties) along with the Perfect Corner ruler which can be used in the bowtie quilt.   Like my page by November 17th to be eligible.

Facebook Giveaway

Happy Quilting.