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    Prep-Tool - Scant ¼" Tool + Point Trimmer

    Prep-Tool with 8-Page booklet

    Bohin Pencils with
    Gray & White Refills

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    Prep-Tool with
    8-Page Booklet

    Bohin pencil
    with refills

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    Mark precise seam lines for sharp mitered binding corners.

    Check accuracy of your Scant 1/4" Seam Allowances.

    Line the lip edges up to the edge of the pieces of fabric you've sewn together.

    You should see the line of stitching right along the inner edge of the Prep-Tool.

    Take the guesswork out of set in seams.

    Trim triangle points.

    • One peel-and-stick, self-adhesive Seam Guide with removable, reusable adhesive. They are 1/32" thick making it easy to align and guide your fabric accurately before it gets under your needle.
    • 8-page instruction booklet

    Scroll down for
    detailed instructions

    8-Page Booklet

    Tools related to this item

    Tools related to this item

    Extra 6-Pack
    Seam Guides

    Gray refills
    for Bohin Pencil

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    The set includes:

    • Prep-Tool with 8-page booklet
    • Super Easy Seam Guide Setter
    • Bohin Pencil with gray & white refills
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    Extra 6-Pack Seam Guides

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    Step by Step Instructions Below

    Sharp Mitered Corners

    For sharp mitered corners, you need to stop sewing a scant 1/4" from the edge.

    You can take all the guesswork out of finding the exact place to stop at a scant 1/4" by marking it with the Bohin Pencil, using the Prep-Tool by Guidelines4Quilting as a Scant 1/4" guide.

    Butt the lip edges on the Prep-Tool up to the edge of your top.

    Mark the fabric along the outside edge of the Prep-Tool.

    Mark the binding strip at the same distance from the edge.

    Stop sewing when you get to the mark.

    Sew at a 45º angle right into the corner of the quilt top.

    Fold the binding strip straight up.

    Fold the binding strip back down, keeping the fold in the strip aligned with the top of your quilt.

    Continue stitching the binding to the top, taking a few back stitches when you start.

    Do the same in the other corners and then stop when you get about 10 to 12 inches from where you started and take a few back-stitches.

    Sharp Mitered Corners

    Step by Step Instructions below

    For sharp mitered corners, you need to stop sewing a scant 1/4" from the edge.

    You can take all the guesswork out of finding the exact place to stop at a scant 1/4" by marking it with the Bohin Mechanical Pencil, using the Prep-Tool by Guidelines4Quilting as a Scant 1/4" guide. Scroll down for instructions.

    Butt the lip edges on the Prep-Tool up to the edge of your top.

    Mark the fabric along the outside edge of the Prep-Tool.

    Mark the binding strip at the same distance from the edge.

    Stop sewing when you get to the mark.

    Sew at a 45º angle right into the corner of the quilt top.

    Fold the binding strip straight up.

    Fold the binding strip back down, keeping the fold in the strip aligned with the top of your quilt.

    Continue stitching the binding to the top, taking a few back stitches when you start.

    Do the same in the other corners and then stop when you get about 10 to 12 inches from where you started and take a few back-stitches.

    The Secret to Accurate Set in Seams

    The secret to Set-in-Seams, (3 seams that form a Y),
    is to start and stop sewing exactly where the seam lines cross.

    Using the Prep-Tool makes it easy:

    The Prep-Tool is a Scant ¼” wide and it has raised Lip Edges that catch the edge of your fabric.

    Butt the Lip Edges up to the edge of your fabric and you can easily mark the exact point where your seam lines will cross every time.

    You can mark the whole seam line

    Or, mark just where they cross in the corners.

    Start and stop sewing right where
    your seam lines cross

    Be sure to back stitch or lock stitch
    each time you start and stop

    A Tumbling blocks is made of 3 diamonds.

    After sewing the first two diamonds together, the third diamond has to be set-in between and sewn to both the first and second diamond.

    If you look at the seams from the back when finished, you’ll see that the three seams form a Y.

    That’s why set-in seams are also sometime called Y-Seams.

    How to Line Up Off-Set Pieces

    Sometimes you need to line up pieces with odd angles, and the edges won't match. If you mark the seam lines with the Prep-Tool, off-set pieces always line up where the seam lines cross.

    Scant ¼" Seam Allowances

    A Scant ¼” is just slightly less than a full ¼” &
    the reason it's used for quilt piecing is actually pretty simple.

    How to Sew Scant ¼" Seam Allowances

    Sold out

    Sarah Sheckells Lenoir, NC

    "Just wanted to tell you I love this thing - Super Easy Seam Guide Setter! I put it on right away and have had great success with keeping my 1/4” seams accurate.”

    Check the Accuracy of Your Scant ¼" Seams

    Butt the gold lip edges of the Prep-Tool up to the edge of the fabric, and you should see the line of stitching right along its edge like the image shown here.

      • If it's inside the edge, you need to adjust the Seam Guide farther away from the needle.
      • If it's outside the edge, you need to adjust the Seam Guide closer to the needle.

    Pre-Trim Triangle Points

    The lip edges on the Prep-Tool catch the fabric's edge, making it easy to accurately line up & pre-trim points.

    Trim Before or After Sewing: That is the Question.

    If you've worked with Triangles at all, you have definitely trimmed off a few Dog Ears, Bunny Ears or Triangle Points which all mean the same thing.

    But most often you've probably trimmed them after you've pressed two Half Square Triangles open into a Triangle Square. When you do that, the Triangle Points are just poking out beyond the edge of the square and it's easy to see where to trim them off.

    But there are times when
    pre-trimming the points is the way to go.

    A good example is if you are
    sewing a triangle to a square.

    The trick is to get the Triangle perfectly centered on the Square.

    But because the edges don't match, you have to try to line it up by eye.

    The bottom line to all this is, the edges of Squares and Triangles that are the same Finished Size, should match exactly after you accurately trim the Triangle Points.

    You can look at it this way. These Triangles are the same Finished Size as the Square and if you sew them together it will be the same seam line joining them.

    If you look at the seam line on the Square, it is a Scant ¼" from each edge. So if you were to measure a Scant ¼" from the end of the seam line on the Triangle, that is where you would want to trim off the point.

    If you accurately trim the points on Half Square Triangles and Quarter Square Triangles, their edges will match with a Square that is the same finished size.

    There are 2 ways to Trim Points, Using the Prep-Tool.

    Long Side Trim:

    Line the Prep-Tool along the Long Side of the Triangle

    Short Side Trim:

    Line the Prep-Tool along the Short Side of the Triangle

    So which trim should you use?

    You can usually tell by lining up the triangle to the piece you are trying to sew it to.
    You should be able to see which way will make the edges match before you trim the points.

    Example: Trimming Triangles for Square-in-a-Square Units:

    Use Long Side Trims for Square in a Square & Flying Geese.

    Trimming Triangles Makes It Easy to Sew Blocks Together.

    To make patches out of 3 or more triangles,
    you may want to cut your squares diagonally into triangles first.

    Start by cutting a strip into Squares

    Cut the Square once diagonally to make 2 Half Square Triangles

    Cut the Square twice diagonally to make 4 Quarter Square Triangles

    Trimming Triangles Makes It Easy to Sew Blocks Together.

    Use Short Side Trim for the HSTs

    Use Long Side Trim for the QSTs

    You see patches with 1 Half Square Triangle and 2 Quarter Square Triangles in a Double Friendship Star below. Let's call this "3-Part Squares" because a patch has three parts.

    Double Friendship Star

    Color-Coded Breakdown

    3-Part Squares

    An Ohio Star has four 4-Part Squares that are each made of four QSTs.

    Ohio Star

    Color-Coded Breakdown

    4-Part Squares

    It's also easier to line up and sew the triangles together when you pre-trim the points because the points won't get caught in the feed dogs of your sewing machine.

    Use Both Trims to Make Brave New World Blocks.

    A Brave New World is a combination of:

    • 1 Big Half Square Triangle

    • 2 Small Half Square Triangles that are half the size of the big HST.

    • 1 Square that is the same size as the small HSTs

    Use a Short Side Trim on one HST

     

    Line it up to the Square and sew right sides together.

    Use a Long Side Trim on the other HST.

     

     

    Now the square and two small HSTs are ready to be sewn to the big HST.

     

    You can trim the points on the big HST and the unit you sewed together so their points won't get caught in your feed dogs.

    Use a Double Trim For 45º Diamonds.

    Double trimming makes it easy to line up
    two diamonds or a diamond and a square.

    Accurate Set in Seams

    Why You Need to Use Set-In Seams for Diamonds & Hexagons

    When you are sewing just two pieces together, which is the most common thing when piecing, you can sew all the way from one edge to the other.

    But many blocks with diamonds and hexagons require a different technique because you'll often be sewing a third piece, set-in, between two others.

    For example, each block in a Tumbling blocks quilt is made of three diamonds.

    After sewing the first two diamonds together, the third diamond has to be set-in between and sewn to both the first and second diamond.

    If you look at the seams from the back when finished, you’ll see that the three seams form a Y.

    That’s why set-in seams are also sometime called Y-Seams.

    For a Y-Seam or Set-in-Seam, you have to start and stop right at the seam line. If you sew too far, you’ll be reaching for your seam ripper because that will create a pucker that will never press flat.

    If you don’t sew far enough, you’ll have a hole where the three seams come together.

    Set-In Seams

    The secret to Set-in-Seams, (3 seams that form a Y), is to start and stop sewing exactly where the seam lines cross.

    Using the Prep-Tool makes it easy:

    The Prep-Tool is a Scant ¼” wide and it has raised Lip Edges that catch the edge of your fabric.

    Butt the Lip Edges up to the edge of your fabric and you can easily mark the exact point where your seam lines will cross every time.

    You can mark the whole seam line

    Or, mark just where they cross in the corners.

    Start and stop sewing right where your seam lines cross.

    Be sure to back stitch or lock stitch each time you start and stop.

    How to Line Up Off-Set Pieces

    Sometimes you need to line up pieces with odd angles, and the edges won't match. If you mark the seam lines with the Prep-Tool, off-set pieces always line up where the seam lines cross.

    Scant ¼" Seam Allowances

    A Scant ¼” is just slightly less than a full ¼” & the reason it's used for quilt piecing is actually pretty simple.

    Sew a Scant ¼" Seam

    Sold out

    Sarah Sheckells Lenoir, NC

    "Just wanted to tell you I love this thing - Super Easy Seam Guide Setter! I put it on right away and have had great success with keeping my 1/4” seams accurate.”

    Check the Accuracy
    of Your Scant ¼" Seams

    Butt the gold lip edges of the Prep-Tool up to the edge of the fabric, and you should see the line of stitching right along its edge.

    • If it's inside the edge, you need to adjust the Seam Guide farther away from the needle.
    • If it's outside the edge, you need to adjust the Seam Guide closer to the needle.

    Pre-Trim Triangle Points

    The lip edges on the Prep-Tool catch the fabric's edge, making it easy to accurately line up & pre-trim points.

    Trim Before or After Sewing:
    That is the Question.

    If you've worked with Triangles at all, you have definitely trimmed off a few Dog Ears, Bunny Ears or Triangle Points which all mean the same thing.

    But most often you've probably trimmed them after you've pressed two Half Square Triangles open into a Triangle Square. When you do that, the Triangle Points are just poking out beyond the edge of the square and it's easy to see where to trim them off.

    But there are times when pre-trimming the points is the way to go.

    A good example is if you are sewing a triangle to a square.

    The trick is to get the Triangle perfectly centered on the Square.

    But because the edges don't match, you have to try to line it up by eye.

    The bottom line to all this is, the edges of Squares and Triangles that are the same Finished Size, should match exactly after you accurately trim the Triangle Points.

    You can look at it this way. These Triangles are the same Finished Size as the Square and if you sew them together it will be the same seam line joining them.

    If you look at the seam line on the Square, it is a Scant ¼" from each edge. So if you were to measure a Scant ¼" from the end of the seam line on the Triangle, that is where you would want to trim off the point.

    If you accurately trim the points on Half Square Triangles and Quarter Square Triangles, their edges will match with a Square that is the same finished size.

    There are 2 ways to Trim Points, Using the Prep-Tool.

    Long Side Trim:

    Line the Prep-Tool along the Long Side of the Triangle.

    Short Side Trim:

    Line the Prep-Tool along the Short Side of the Triangle.

    So which trim should you use?

    • You can usually tell by lining up the triangle to the piece you are trying to sew it to.
    • You should be able to see which way will make the edges match before you trim the points.

    Example: Square-in-a-Square Units:

    Use Long Side Trims for Square in a Square & Flying Geese.

    Trimming Triangles Makes It Easy to Sew Blocks Together.

    To make patches out of 3 or more triangles, you may want to cut your squares diagonally into triangles first.

    Start by cutting a strip into Squares.

    Cut the Square once diagonally to make 2 Half Square Triangles.

    Cut the Square twice diagonally to make 4 Quarter Square Triangles.

    Trimming Triangles Makes It Easy to Sew Blocks Together.

    Use Short Side Trim for the HSTs

    Use Long Side Trim for the QSTs

    You see patches with 1 Half Square Triangle and 2 Quarter Square Triangles in a Double Friendship Star below. Let's call this "3-Part Squares" because a patch has three parts.

    Double Friendship Star

    Color-Coded Breakdown

    3-Part Squares

    An Ohio Star has four 4-Part Squares that are each made of four QSTs.

    Ohio Star

    Color-Coded Breakdown

    4-Part Squares

    It's also easier to line up and sew the triangles together when you pre-trim the points because the points won't get caught in the feed dogs of your sewing machine.

    Use Both Trims to Make Brave New World Blocks.

    A Brave New World is a combination of:

    • 1 Big Half Square Triangle

    • 2 Small Half Square Triangles that are half the size of the big HST.

    • 1 Square that is the same size as the small HSTs

    Use a Short Side Trim on one HST

     

    Line it up to the Square and sew right sides together.

    Use a Long Side Trim on the other HST.

    Now the square and two small HSTs are ready to be sewn to the big HST.

    You can trim the points on the big HST and the unit you sewed together so their points won't get caught in your feed dogs.

    Use a Double Trim For 45º Diamonds.

    Double trimming makes it easy to line up two diamonds or a diamond and a square.

    Quilts Made Using Prep-Tool by Guidelines4Quilting.

    Bonnie Beaty - CA Road to California Contest Entrant
    "It was such a wonderful experience for me to take the leap and enter this quilt at Road. I am fairly new to quilting and to have my quilt accepted was quite an honor. This quilt truly stretched my quilting abilities and improved my confidence greatly.

    I used a few of the tools offered by Guidelines4Quilting. I used the Guideline Rulers to cut the strips. I really like the ability of butting the ruler up to the fabric and knowing that it is straight and square.

    I used the Prep-Tool to prepare the triangles. The Prep-Tool really does make for more accuracy when sewing triangles together and I needed accuracy on the triangle units of this quilt. Triangles have always been a bit of a challenge for me, so having tools that make it easier and actually work is great.

    I tell everyone about Guidelines Rulers and at a recent quilt retreat I gave a demo on the Rulers, Prep-Tool and Grip Strips. I have the Grip Strips on almost all my rulers and just ordered another two packages for the rest of them. Thanks for the great products.”

    This beautiful Lemoyne Star quilt was made by Sharon Vervoort of California and it was accepted into Road to California. It's the first quilt she had ever entered in a contest and it took third place.

    She says one of her secrets to win this award was using the Prep-Tool to mark the seam intersections for the precise Set-in-Seams on the Lemoyne stars. Congrats, Sharon!

    Quilts Made Using Prep-Tool by Guidelines4Quilting

    Bonnie Beaty - CA Road to California Contest Entrant
    "It was such a wonderful experience for me to take the leap and enter this quilt at Road. I am fairly new to quilting and to have my quilt accepted was quite an honor. This quilt truly stretched my quilting abilities and improved my confidence greatly.

    I used a few of the tools offered by Guidelines4Quilting. I used the Guideline Rulers to cut the strips. I really like the ability of butting the ruler up to the fabric and knowing that it is straight and square.

    I used the Prep-Tool to prepare the triangles. The Prep-Tool really does make for more accuracy when sewing triangles together and I needed accuracy on the triangle units of this quilt. Triangles have always been a bit of a challenge for me, so having tools that make it easier and actually work is great.

    I tell everyone about Guidelines Rulers and at a recent quilt retreat I gave a demo on the Rulers, Prep-Tool and Grip Strips. I have the Grip Strips on almost all my rulers and just ordered another two packages for the rest of them. Thanks for the great products.”

    This beautiful Lemoyne Star quilt was made by Sharon Vervoort of California and it was accepted into Road to California. It's the first quilt she had ever entered in a contest and it took third place.

    She says one of her secrets to win this award was using the Prep-Tool to mark the seam intersections for the precise Set-in-Seams on the Lemoyne stars. Congrats, Sharon!