Have you looked at a quilt with blocks set on point and said “I can’t do that!”? To be honest, when I just started quilting, I shied away from doing on point quilt block settings myself. Even when I started to design patterns, I was not always comfortable writing those patterns. Well, I’m here now to say I did it and I will share some instruction and tips that will make you feel like you can do it easily too!
Here’s a quilt that is on the design wall, called Wildflower Lane, that I hope to have available soon. This is on point block setting:
And here are a few others:
On point settings can be used with one block quilts or with two block quilts to create an interesting secondary design. So on to the tips to help you get started and practice this new skill.
Setting Triangles
Unlike quilts made from blocks that are set normally, on point block quilts need what are called setting triangles. Setting triangles are cut from squares. There are side triangles and end triangles.
When I write my patterns for on point set quilt tops, I do the calculations for these triangles for you and tell you what size squares you need to cut them from. However, if you are making a pattern with a straight setting but decide you want to do an on point setting, you will need the formula for those calculations. So here they are:
Side Triangles – You take the finished size of your block x 1.414, then add 1 1/4″ to that number. For example, if your finished block is 6″, here is how the formula works:
6″ x 1.414 = 8.48″ (round this up to the nearest 1/8″ to 8.5″)
8.5″ + 1 1/4″ = 9 3/4″ square needed.
This square is then cut diagonally twice for 4 quarter-square triangles. For the above quilt, there are 12 side triangles, so you will need three 9 3/4″ squares:
End Triangles – You take the finished size of your block/(divided by) 1.414, then add 7/8″ to that number. Example:
6/1.414 = 4.243 (round this up to the nearest 1/8″ to 4.25
4.25 + 7/8 = 5 1/8″ square needed.
This square is then cut diagonally once for 2 half-square triangles. You need 4 end triangles, so you will need two 5 1/8″ squares:
Block Lay Out and Stitching
So now that you have your triangles cut, it’s time to lay out the blocks and the triangles so you can stitch together the quilt top. A large floor space or a design wall comes in handy here. Here’s a diagram on laying out the blocks and triangles:
The top part of the diagram above shows how the blocks are laid out and the bottom part shows how to sew the rows together. You will actually assemble the quilt on a diagonal. This is definitely different from piecing a regular quilt top!
I always start from top left and work my way down until all the rows are assembled. The top left and bottom right will have a unique piecing method that I will show in the following photos. I call these the “end caps” since the block is on the end and is surrounded by two side triangles and one end triangle.
Here are the steps to piecing this “end cap” successfully:
Step 1: Line up the 90° angle of the left setting triangle with the corner of the block and pin in place. there will be a small “tail” of the triangle overlapping the block.
Step 2: Stitch with a 1/4″ seam. Then repeat on the opposite side of the block with the other setting triangle. Press these sides open:
Step 3: Line up the end triangle with the center of the unit assembled above. When you flip it on top to pin in place, you can use a ruler to make sure the point of the end triangle is right in the center of the block.
Pin in place, stitch and press open. Once again, there will be overlapping “tails” from the end triangle:
Here’s what the end cap looks like all stitched and pressed. You can now trim off the “tails” if you want.
Step 4: Now that the end caps are finished, it’s time to join all the blocks and triangles into the diagonal rows. The blocks will be joined just like in regular quilt tops then add the triangles to the ends of the rows. Notice all the “tails”.
Step 5: Now it’s time to join those rows into the quilt top! Once again, there will be overlapping “tails” from all the triangle points. Be sure to line up the seams of the blocks when joining your rows.
Lining up the seams is a very important step to make sure your quilt top is not “wonky” when you are done piecing it. If you are shaky in aligning seams, see my blog post on tips for that here. It’s towards the bottom of that post.
Here is the finished top. All ready for borders and quilting!
Well, that’s it. See? it’s really not too hard. Just like anything in quilting, it takes practice to make these on point quilts come out nice and straight. Don’t let the fact that you need to practice this skill scare you away!
Now you can take any blocks and turn them into an on point quilt. Let me know if you have any questions. I’ll be happy to answer them if I can. Leave a comment even if you don’t have any questions and you will be entered into a drawing for my quilt pattern, Country Dance.
The drawing will be on Monday, December 7th. **We have a winner! Congrats, Nancy Noah!**
Happy Quilting!
Deanne
I love on point quilts. Best and fastest way if you are making a large quilt. You have great step by steps. Thank you!
thank you. enjoy doing on point
Thanks I have never done on point and this explains it perfectly.
loving your patterns !! … Happy Quilting !
I love on-point quilts but have to admit I avoided them as a new quilter. I still have to look up sizes for setting triangles “just to be sure” I’m doing them right! Your instructions are great! Thanks for the chance to win the pattern.
On point quilts are beautiful! Your photos & tips are wonderful. Patterns are great!
I have only made one small on point quilt, a lap size. Your mathematics and explanations will come in handy!!
Lovely pattern!!
That’s good information as these blocks can be intimidating. I saw your quilt published in one of my quilting magazines. It was beautiful!
Beautifully presented and explained well for a beginner like me. I’m excited to learn new techniques and your easy to follow instructions are great. Thanks!
I love you choice of fabrics and also your pattern! Matter of fact, I have a bin full of Reproduction fabrics that would go with your pattern! Thank you!
Love it!!!!
Your step by step instructions are very good. Thanks for posting!
Thank you very much for the tutorial. Your pointers are so helpful and easy to understand,they help me to get out of my comfort zone and try something new ! Thank you again .
Love your step by step – very clear & easy to follow … that’s why we appreciate your attention to detail. Grateful for your guidance .
Thank you for the easy-to-understand instruction!!
Excellent instructions. On point quilt settings are an excellent way to make a few blocks cover a larger area.
I like the effect of on point settings. I use them when I can.
Thank you for this tutorial. I love on point quilts. I want to make a pieced on point border for the quilt I’m currently working on. I’ll have to think through your instructions to make straight rows on point. Or is that even possible?
Interesting. I have never attempted an on point border on a quilt. That would take some math skills. You’d have to take the measurements of the border and add some plain straight border to your quilt to make the math work. On point blocks measure odd measurement. Let me know if you do it!
Just about to put together an on point quilt, so this tutorial was very useful. Thank you.
Thank you this information was very helpful and so clearly illustrated.
I have always wondered how to figure setting triangles. Thank you for the wonderful tutorial.
Thanks for the information, it is well written and easy to understand
Thank you for the formula for the triangles. It’s very helpful
I have needed a formula for in point. I am starting to do more of my own designs. Thank you
Thanks for this information. On point settings have always been a little intimating so hopefully this information will make it less so!!!
The math formulas will be very helpful to me when doing an on point quilt. Thank you.
Thank you for the math and tutorial. Very helpful. Happy Holidays.
Best instructions I ever read for on point. Thank you so much for all your tips also.
Thank you!
I have a situation with my “chandelier quilt”. I have sewn it all but did not include the side setting triangles nor the 4 end triangles. Yes this is my first chandelier quilt. Being a newbie, I was not thinking how difficult it was going to be or even if it was possible to add the side setting triangles to my existing top. Well I can’t figure out a way to make this look pretty now. Would you happen to have any suggestions? I appreciate your input very much.
Sincerely,