Reflections on Folded Corners

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

Traditional Folded Corner Finished

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.

A couple of years ago I was introduced to the Perfect Corner Ruler™.  It is built off the folded corner concept.  However this variation on the technique gets rid of some of the challenges with folded corners.

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

Perfect Corner Tool

Using the Perfect Corner Ruler

I used the Perfect Corner ruler in my Tad, Ted and Theodore Bowtie pattern.  The example below is for the "Theodore" unit in this pattern.

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.  (For the Theodore unit this is 2".)

Theodore Perfect Corner Line

Cut corners.  The square for these corners will be 3/4" greater than the folded corner square.  For Theodore this was 2-3/4" x 2-3/4".  Cut the square once on the diagonal for two corner pieces.

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Place one of the Corner Triangles underneath the Base unit as shown.  The right sides of the fabric will be together and the wrong side of the Base unit will be up.  Make sure that about ¼” of the Corner Triangle extends beyond the sewing line for the seam allowance.

Sew on the 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.

Finished Theodore unit after trim-down

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.

Using the Corner Pop Ruler

Approximately six months ago Deb Tucker came out with her version of a "folded corner" ruler.   Corner Pop™ from Studio 180 Design is used for folded corner units.   Using this tool you will trim rather than mark, add an oversized replacement triangle and then square everything to a perfect size.  

Deb Tucker's Corner Pop Ruler

This tool is featured in my latest pattern - Ferris Wheel. This pattern would have traditionally called for a 2 inch folded corner. Here is how I used the Corner Pop tool.

Use the 1 1/2″ Cut Away lines on the Corner Pop™ to cut one corner on a half-square triangle unit.

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The square for these corners will be 3/4" greater than the folded corner square.  (For this unit, the square is 2-3/4" x 2-3/4".) Cut each corner squre once on the diagonal to create two half-square triangles.

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With the half square triangle unit on top, sew (using an accurate 1/4″ seam) the corner triangle to the half square triangle.

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Press either direction.  Trim the added corner triangle using the 1 1/2″ Corner Trim Down line on the Corner Pop™.  Trim the top and right sides.

Here is one of the finished units from a Ferris Wheel block.

Folded Corner Poll

Inquiring minds what to know....what methods you have tried -- and if you have tried multiple methods, which one do you prefer. Poll selections are confidential.

Featured Pattern - Ferris Wheel

When going to the fair as a child, the ferris wheel was my favorite ride.  I loved the view at the top and enjoyed colorful lights late at night.  This quilt can be made with 8 fabrics or the medium and dark fabrics may be made from scraps.  If made from scraps, Charms work for the Dark; and Fat Eighths or Fat Quarters for Medium 1 and 2.

Ferris Wheel Pattern by On Point Quilter

Finished sizes:  

• Wall Hanging (36″ x 36″)
  
• Lap (66″ x 90″)
  
• Queen (90″ x 90″)
  
• King (114″ x 114″)
  

Recommended (optional) Tools:  

• Tucker Trimmer™ by Studio 180 Design
  
• Corner Pop™ by Studio 180 Design
  

To make construction easier, sections in the quilt use oversized piecing along with the mentioned specialty rulers.  If you chose not to use the specialty rulers, alternate instructions are provided.

Happy quilting.

 Kari 

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