I need to know a little about quilting....

[Madame Olive Yew]

Hi all,
Since I'm still kinda new to sewing I still have so many questions. For a summer dress I'm planning, I would like to do a harliquine (sp?) type design on the bottom of a four gore skirt. Meaning a panel with dimond shaped pieces in two different fabrics. I am assuming I will need to use some kind of quilting method. I know you need to cut all the pieces, & sew them right sides together but how do the corners (where 4 pieces come together) work? I am a bit confused. I remember watching my mom quilt as a kid but I think I was 4-5 last time I saw the process. Please help. Thank you.
Joy

[DogWoman]

Are you talking about "prairie points"?

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/artheblk/prapoints/

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

A very simple method to create a quilting block pattern is to simply draft out the exact band in full size as you want it (ie all the diamonds the same size ect...the top and bottom diamond cut in half like that)

Then you just cut out the various peices ( you only need one of each unique shape use the same patter for each repeat) you place the pattern piece on a larger sheet of freezer papper ( much loved and used matieral for applique pattern drafting) draw seam allowance around the shape by adding 1/2 inch all the way around. this is your diamond pattern.

now when you sew them together ...remember that the stitching stops 1/2 inch from the pointso that when you turn and press you will have nice crisp points.

In the image ( not perfectly measured but just for visual help) you have two pieces the diamond and the triangle the tricky part is measuring the bottom of the skirt band that you want to cover (taking care to note the top may be slightly narrower than the bottom) then to divide the length by the number of diamonds you hope to achieve and then making the pattern piece to fit the dimentions for the skirt (the good news is that the 4 gore is nearly straight at the bottom if you dont go seroiusly wide with the diamonds)

Basically you will make the band...then either applique it on the skirt OR lay it on and cover the top and bottom edge with a trim of braid ect.
I would start and end the Band in the center of a diamond so that you can ease in the pattern with out a visual flaw of overlap.

Does that help at all?

[Madame Olive Yew]

Thank you both. I was looking for what Gypsy explained. I wasn't positive on how to make those corners turn out. Although the prairie points page gave me another idea. Well it'll be awhile before I start this project (a few weeks or more) So I may come back for more info later. I just wanted to get the question out there so I would have my answer b/f I got started. Thank you again!!

[Nellie's Mom]

Joy, is this what you are looking for? Cut and copy because I don't know how to make links. http://quiltville.com/scrapbargello.shtml
I can make sone real photos and send them by attachments to you if it will help. Nellie's Mom

[Madame Olive Yew]

Thank you Nellies Mom. I think that sit will be very helpful. :ty

[Madame Olive Yew]

I want to thank you all agian. Your explainations helped me understand & the quilted aspect of my dress has turned out wonderfully. A special thank you to Nellies Mom, she emailed me further instructions complete with pictures & the invation to email her back if I had any other questions. You all are too nice!!

THANK YOU !!!