Sewing a patchwork of triangles: Birgit's brilliant tips

Sewing patchwork from triangles is perfectly suited for beginners because you can achieve quick successes with it. Here, you'll find instructions, tips, information, and project ideas to help you get started.

The most important points at a glance

• In this post, you'll learn how easy it is to sew patchwork from triangles
• Birgit shows you various techniques for sewing a triangle quilt
• You'll learn which fabrics are suitable for sewing triangles and how you should pre-treat them

YouTube Video: Sewing Patchwork from Triangles

Are you ready to turn your sewing room into a creative adventure playground? Today, we are taking you on a cheerful and lighthearted journey into the world of patchwork from triangles. Imagine playing with different fabrics, colors, and patterns to create your own little work of art. The possibilities are endless! Whether you want to design colorful quilts, fashionable accessories, or unique wall hangings – sewing patchwork-style triangles offers a wealth of creative opportunities to bring your imagination to life. So, grab your fabrics and let's dive together into a world full of colors, patterns, and endless inspiration.

Recommended reading: Sewing patchwork from triangles

Which fabrics can be used to sew patchwork from triangles?

In the early days of patchwork, people simply used whatever was available. Usually, it was scraps from worn-out clothing or bed linens. Patchworking and quilting were a necessity back then, when fabric was precious and frugality was the order of the day. But today, many fabric enthusiasts buy new fabric designs for their patchwork projects, and the selection is huge.

You are spoiled for choice: cotton, synthetics, and even extravagant materials like wool, lamé, fur, plastic, or leather are available. And then there are countless colors, patterns, and textures that don't exactly make the decision easy. It's like a jungle you have to navigate. Should you choose solid or patterned fabrics? Large or small patterns? And is it okay to mix different fabric types?

But before you dive into the fabric jungle, there is something important to consider: will your quilt eventually need to be washed? If you are planning it for your bed, a cushion cover, or even a piece of clothing, the washing machine will call sooner or later. Therefore, it is advisable to choose washable material.

Although there are many great solid cotton-polyester blends, they can be a bit temperamental to work with. They tend to slip, are sometimes translucent, and pose a challenge when quilting.

Recommended reading: Sewing with cotton fabric

Should I pre-wash the fabrics?

Before you get started, you should ensure your fabrics are colorfast. Simply put them in warm water and see if they release any color. Light and medium shades can be put in the washing machine without worry, but caution is advised with darker pieces, as they tend to bleed. If you wash them, it's best to do so separately.

Rinse the fabrics until the water remains clear. If color is still bleeding after the sixth rinse, you unfortunately have to part ways with that fabric. It would be a real shame if all those hours of hard work were wasted just because the colors smeared as soon as you washed your finished masterpiece. Once the fabrics are dry, you can check the grain line by examining the visible lengthwise and crosswise threads.

Recommended reading: Washing fabrics before sewing

What materials do you need to sew triangle patchwork?

To have fun and success with the projects presented, you need various cutting tools, a sewing machine, and the usual sewing notions.

Additionally, a tidy and spacious work table at a comfortable height is important. Also remember to include an adjustable office chair in your equipment. A comfortable and ergonomic chair allows you to sit at the table for longer periods without getting back pain. This way, you can fully concentrate on sewing and stay relaxed.

A cutting mat is the perfect companion to a rotary cutter. This cut-resistant surface is available in various designs, some even with practical cm or inch measurements and various printed lines. This allows you to cut your fabrics precisely and efficiently. You can read everything about cutting mats and rotary cutters in the articles All about rotary cutters and All about self-healing cutting mats.

This is a triangle ruler with a 45-degree angle and a triangle ruler with a 60-degree angle. This way, you can cut triangles in the size of your choice in no time, without having to laboriously create templates.

What is the best way to cut the triangles for my patchwork project?

Do not even think about using scissors. You will only get precise and fast results if you use a rotary cutter and a cutting mat.

Additionally, the use of cutting rulers is essential to achieve straight and exact cutting edges.

These rulers are made of sturdy, transparent plastic and are marked with cm or inch increments. Some rulers, like the "Quickruler," are even equipped with guide lines for 45° and 60° angles, which are particularly useful for specific strip widths or seam allowances. Some models also have an anti-slip coating that provides extra stability.

I also find these 3 rulers for cutting triangles really good, and you can get them at stoffe.de:

Rulers are extremely practical because they have variable size markings. This makes measuring and cutting triangles and squares significantly easier.

And then, of course, you need a rotary cutter. I like using my 45 mm rotary cutter^* for my patchwork projects. Sabine loves 28 mm rotary cutters^*, which are a bit more maneuverable.

Recommended reading: All about rotary cutters: Test, tricks, and 10 death traps

How do I cut the triangles for my triangle quilt?

It is important to be particularly precise when cutting the triangles. In the instructions below, I show you how I cut the triangles for my patchwork projects. I also introduce you to 3 methods that you can use to sew triangles quickly and precisely. It's best to work with a ruler and rotary cutter, so your cuts (and the finished project) will be perfect.

For this, we will be cutting squares.

Why can sewing triangles be difficult?

With cotton fabrics, you have to keep the grain in mind. If you cut squares along the grain and then cut them in half diagonally, a long edge is created that runs on the bias. This edge can be problematic when sewing the two triangles together because it is stretchy. As a result, the sewn square can easily become distorted.

How are the triangles sewn?

If you sew triangles together along the long, diagonally cut edge, treat the fabric like a raw egg!

Do not pull or push the fabric under any circumstances. My Bernina 570 QE^* pulls the fabric it needs to sew; nothing needs to be pushed or pulled. ;)

What definitely helps immensely is sewing a few triangles together as a test run. Don't rattle away with your machine right from the start, but sew rather slowly, especially at the beginning.

This allows you to test calmly and in a relaxed manner how you can achieve the best results.

How must my sewing machine be set up to sew patchwork from triangles?

To sew the triangles, you can use your normal standard sewing settings. A medium stitch length is perfect for handling patchwork projects. My recommendation: ideally use a stitch length of 2.5. This makes the seam stable.

What seam allowance should I use?

Normally, a seam allowance of 0.6 cm, which corresponds to 1/4 inch, is calculated. Regardless of how large you choose your seam allowance, always maintain the same measurement.

Depending on the seam allowance, the quilt will turn out slightly larger or smaller. So it's not a disaster at all if you just sew a presser foot's width, as long as you maintain that measurement everywhere on your planned patchwork project.

HST, what is that?

HST stands for Half Square Triangles and means that 2 colored triangles are created from squares. This method saves time, and the outer edges of the square have a straight grain. The fabric cannot distort, and further processing of the resulting squares will not cause you any problems.

Instructions: Sewing patchwork from triangles

Playing, experimenting, and discovering new patterns

I played with the resulting squares and pushed them back and forth until I was satisfied.

Once you start experimenting...

I laid out one square, multiplied it, and then rotated it until I was satisfied. What do you think?

Now I have brought yellow into play as a new color. That really cheers things up!

With just a few moves, a completely new pattern emerges, which I also really like.

Here I have once again multiplied a block for you.

I have to say, I'm seriously impressed by how well the orange and yellow harmonize with each other. What do you think?

Do you already have ideas for what could be done with these triangle strips?

This triangle combination was created by sewing along the short edges of the triangle.

This also offers countless possibilities, for example for pillows or for sewing a patchwork quilt.

Conclusion

Now you have learned various methods for sewing triangles from squares. From the traditional half-square triangle method to the creative use of triangle rulers, there are endless ways to conjure up great quilts from triangles.

So grab your fabrics, needle, and thread and venture into an exciting triangle quilt project!

Need even more inspiration? Then read the post Jacob's Ladder. There I will show you how you can sew a great quilt from triangles and squares.

Happy Quilting and Sewing, Birgit & Sabine