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When sewing three points together by hand the important thing is to get a nice sharp point in the center piece. Begin by laying out the three pieces. (Diagram 1). Pick up piece A and, with right sides together, place and then pin it on top of piece B. Starting at the outside edge and sewing towards the center, sew just to the point of where the seam allowance would cross, and take a small backstitch. Do not break the thread (Diagram 2). Take the pin out, open up the seam and gently finger-press the seam towards the right (Diagram 3).

Now take piece C and place it, right sides together, on top of piece B. Pull the seam allowance to the right. You should be able to feel the "ridge" from the seam allowance with your thumbnail. Carefully bring the needle directly through the end of the last snitch it made and through the base of the seam allowance. Pull the needle all the way through, then do a backstitch along the "ridge" and continue sewing this last piece (Diagram 4). Check to make sure that the point in the middle of the two outer pieces is securely bounded by the points on either side. (Diagram 5). If this point is not neat and sharp at this stage, it will not be neat and sharp when it is joined to other parts of the block.

For machine piecing, before sewing a block, sew a test seam to make sure you are taking accurate 1/4-inch seams. Even 1/16 inch of inaccuracy can result in a block that is not the right size. Adjust your machine to sew 10 to 12 stitches per inch. Select a neutral-color thread that blends well with the fabrics you are using.

Joing the pieces by sewing from raw edge to raw edge. Press the seams before crossing them with other seams. Since the seam allowances will be stitched down when crossed with another seam, you will need to think about the direction in which you want them to lie. Press the seam allowances toward darker fabrics whenever possible to prevent them from shadowing through lighter ones.