--- title: "Piecing a Quilt or Block on Point" date: 2022-04-03 author: "Phoebe Moon" featured_image: "https://phoebemoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/on-point-quilt.jpg" categories: - name: "Quilt Techniques" url: "/category/techniques.md" tags: - name: "on-point chart" url: "/tag/on-point-chart.md" - name: "set block on point" url: "/tag/set-block-on-point.md" - name: "set quilt on point" url: "/tag/set-quilt-on-point.md" --- # Piecing a Quilt or Block on Point ## How to piece a quilt or block on-point A quilt that is set on point is almost always more interesting than one done with a straight-set. But it can be tricky to piece. Although you are working in rows, each row has a triangle at both ends so you can piece the rows diagonally as shown below. But first, you need to know – how big do you cut the Side Setting Triangles (SST) and the Corner Setting Triangles (CST)? ![Piecing a quilt on point](https://phoebemoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/on-point-quilt.jpg)**The Side Setting Triangles** on the quilt above are in yellow. To cut them so that the bias is on the inside and the straight-of-grain along the edge, you must start with an oversize square and cut it on an X. The diagram to the left illustrates this. The formula for this is: Size of the *finished* on-point block times 1.414, then add 1 1/4 inches. ![Piecing a quilt on point - the side setting triangles](https://phoebemoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Xi.jpg)**Side Setting Triangles**The **corner setting triangles** (the purple ones in the illustration above) are also cut so the bias is on the inside and the straight of grain is along the edges, but since they include a corner of the quilt, they are cut differently. These start with a square which is cut on the diagonal. The formula for this is: size of the *finished* block divided by 1.414 plus 7/8 inch (.875 if you are using a calculator.) ![Piecing a quilt on point - the corner triangles](https://phoebemoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CSQi.jpg)**Corner Setting Triangles**## Here is a quick reference chart for piecing a quilt or block on point (the numbers have been rounded up slightly) *Finished* size of blockSize to cut square for setting triangle![Piecing a quilt on point - the side setting triangles](https://phoebemoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Xi.jpg)Size to cut square for corner triangle![Piecing a quilt on point - the corner triangles](https://phoebemoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CSQi.jpg)473 3/458 1/24 1/269 3/45 1/4711 1/46812 3/46 3/49147 1/21015 1/2811178 3/41218 1/49 1/21319 3/410 1/41421111522 1/211 3/4162412 1/41725 1/4131826 3/413 3/41928 1/414 1/22029 1/215 1/4Could you use this formula to set a block on point? Yes, you could use the corner setting formula, or try this one: Size of the block multiplied by itself divided in two. The square root of this number would be the size of the square you would need to cut on the diagonal. ### Conversions from inches for the calculator: 1/8.125/8.621/4.253/4.753/8.377/8.8751/2.511Now, how do you actually piece this quilt? You sew it sideways in rows, like this: ![Piecing a quilt on point](https://phoebemoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/SST.jpg)Still having trouble? Sometimes you just need to draw things out on graph paper. Fortunately, you can download what you need for free at this link: ## Here are some quilts set on point ![Birds of a Feather with Applique Embellishments](https://phoebemoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/birds-of-a-feather-carol-natoli.jpg)Birds of a Feather with Applique Embellishments![Hubble View Throw Quilt](https://phoebemoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Hubble-Full.jpg)Hubble View 68″ x 78″ ![Floating Stars Quilt on Bed](https://phoebemoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Floating-Stars-Bed.jpg)Floating Stars ![Forest Secrets Mini-Quilt Pattern](https://phoebemoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Forest-Secrets-800.jpg)Forest Secrets 21″ x 21″--- This free pattern is set on point – a full explanation is in the pattern. Enjoy! --- --- Have another tip to offer? I would love it if you would [Send it to me](mailto:phoebemoondesigns@gmail.com?subject=Tips). Don’t forget to [sign up for the newsletter!](https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5f8adbd81bb8f6fac9fad95f) Once a week, I send updates on quilt-related information I have found while wandering the web. This might be an inspiring article, a tip or tutorial I have discovered (or written), and occasionally exclusive offers & discounts as well as immediate access to the secret page of free patterns, guides, and printables. You can [follow my page on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/phoebemoondesgins/), or join the [Make Believe Quilters group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/makebelievequilters/), too.