Creating a square corner on a quilt can elevate its overall appearance and professionalism. This technique, known as "square-in-a-square" or "square corner," involves sewing a smaller square onto the edge of your quilt block to create a crisp, 90-degree angle. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you master this skill.
Before you begin, ensure you have a quilt block ready, a smaller square for the corner (usually half the size of your quilt block), and your preferred quilting tools, such as a rotary cutter, ruler, and sewing machine.
Preparing Your Fabric
To start, you'll need to prepare your fabric pieces. For a 12-inch quilt block, you'll need a 6-inch square for the corner.
Using a rotary cutter and a 6-inch square ruler, cut your fabric into a perfect square. If you're using a directional print, ensure the design is positioned correctly before cutting.
Sewing the Corner
Once you have your fabric pieces, it's time to sew the corner onto your quilt block.
Place the right sides of your quilt block and the corner square together, aligning the edges. Sew along one side of the square, using a ¼-inch seam allowance. Press the seam open.
Creating the Square Corner
Now, it's time to create the square corner. Fold the corner square in half, right sides facing out, and press.
Open the folded corner and place it on your quilt block, aligning the raw edges. The folded edge should be positioned along the edge of your quilt block, creating a 45-degree angle. Sew along this edge, using a ¼-inch seam allowance.
Finishing the Quilt
With the corner sewn on, you can now finish your quilt as usual. If you're making a larger quilt, repeat this process on all four corners.
Once you've sewn all your quilt blocks together, press your quilt, ensuring all seams are flat. Then, layer your quilt sandwich (quilt top, batting, and backing) and quilt as desired.
Adding Binding
After quilting, add binding to finish your quilt. With the square corners, your binding will wrap around the corners neatly, creating a clean, professional look.
To add binding, cut 2.5-inch strips from your chosen fabric, sew them together, and press in half. Attach the binding to the raw edge of your quilt, folding it over to the back and stitching in place.
Congratulations! You've successfully created square corners on your quilt. This technique adds a touch of elegance and professionalism to any quilt project. Now that you've mastered this skill, why not try it on your next quilt? Happy quilting!