How To Set A Quilt On Point
In ballet, “en pointe,” means that the dancers are up on their toes in what are called “pointe shoes.” While spelled differently and lacking shoes, putting a quilt on point is essentially the same concept– instead of being lined up in rows and columns along their flat sides, the blocks are stood up on a corner to make diamonds. There are a few extra considerations when arranging blocks this way, so let’s talk about how to set a quilt on point.
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A traditional quilt layout has blocks arranged in rows and columns, often with sashing fabrics spacing the blocks and borders framing the whole. A quilt set on point turns square blocks on a corner to form diamonds and includes setting triangles to frame the shape back into a square or rectangle finished quilt.
Setting Triangles
Setting triangles are squares (sometimes additional blocks, sometimes solid squares) that are trimmed to make the final quilt a square/ rectangle. I highly recommend heavily starching the blocks/ squares used for setting triangles to keep the edges stable once they are trimmed on the bias (the bias is what happens when fabric is trimmed on the diagonal to the warp and weft, and it’s pretty stretchy. Starch helps keep the bias edge from stretching and warping your quilt top)
Assembling the Quilt Top
Putting blocks together on point means that the rows get assembled diagonally. If possible, I definitely recommend using a design wall (or floor) to make sure things stay in the right order as you sew the blocks into rows and then the rows into a quilt top. Press all the seams from one row one direction and then all the seams from the next row the opposite direction so that the block to block seams can nest when you assemble the rows. That helps keep everything square and lined up.
Once all the blocks and setting triangles are assembled, sew a basting stitch all the way around the outside of the quilt top, about 1/8” outside what will be the finished edge of the quilt top. Then, carefully trim the quilt square. The finished quilt will be trimmed 1/4” outside the furthest outer points of the assembled blocks and setting triangles, but I recommend trimming the top at 1/2” to the outside of that point. The basting stitch will help keep everything square (and will vanish into the binding later), but trimming a little big also give a little extra room in case you need it during the post-quilting trim. Be gentle with your top once it’s trimmed. Even with the basting stitches, you want to treat bias edges with care.
Final Thoughts
It’s amazing how different blocks can look just rotated 45 degrees onto their corner. Arranging a quilt on point gives a different, often elevated, feel to a project. It’s important to think about the potential stretch of bias edges when using and trimming setting triangles, but the extra steps and effort can transform a quilt. If you’ve never set a quilt on point, I highly recommend it!
Resources
Quilt Pattern: Lanterns of Hope is written on point and a perfect quilt for trying out this technique
Online Course: Intro to Free Motion Quilting
