Half-Square Triangles Tutorial

I have finally figured out this blogging thing, so here is what I taught at our last quilting mtg. This is a nice way to get a lot of squares done quickly and they look good!

The instructions will have you cut 2 different colored strips of fabric. You will then put those fabrics together with the right sides facing eachother.

I then measured 2 7/8" squares (just as my instructions told me to) and marked it. I usually use a pencil but I did a blue marker so you could see it better. After you have marked your squares, then you will make a diagonal line just as seen below.

Now with your foot on the edge of your diagonal line you will sew an 1/4" seam on both sides of the diagonal. Sorry it's hard to see in the picture. The first picture shows it a little better. After you've sewn on both sides of all your diagonals, you will cut on all your pencil marks. (straight and diagonal)

After you have cut on all the lines you will have several triangles that look like this.

Open then up and press them to make your squares.

Here is the finished product. All the squares that have brown and the green together were done this way. Once you've done it one time, you'll love it. It really does help to make your blocks turn out better and more evenly. HAVE FUN!!!

Easy - Traditional - Cool? Sure, why not?

Log Cabin Loco

Quick, go look at that link! It is for a "pattern" called "Log Cabin Loco" and is a great way to get interest without having to bend your brain. :) I think I might try it using my strip cutter...now I just need more fabric (That is my evil laugh by the way. heheh)

I was also cruising THIS blog and thought they had some lovely things to inspire us. I "think" they do the strings by the same technique used in our first ever block. (And now that everyone has some experience, we can review it again if you want to try this technique.) This seems very versatile and a good way to use stash fabrics. :) k.

city skyline block

We were talking about maybe a Seoul sklyine/skyscraper block.  Maybe the upper half could be used to get it started...
Karen J

Quilts of Valor - Spring 2010

We still haven't decided quite how these will go into quilts...since we have so many we will try to do more than one. :) In the meantime, I have to say, I am really pleased with the way they ALL turned out. Congratulations to all the ladies who challenged themselves while working on this challenge! And Thanks to Ruth for choosing such lovely base fabrics and challenging us. More later on this project when it is closer to completion. Enjoy.

Paper piecing by Karen

Since my little paper piecing intro was so short this morning, and possibly not as clear as it could have been, here are two online primers that are very clear: www.mytimepatterns.com/basics.html
  (using the fold down method), http://www.winnowing.com/ppp.html
(no folding down)
 and also my own account of following the first primer:
 

Left, I've already cut the two longish strips of fabric, 2" wide for the black, and 1 1/2" wide for the white.  I've cut out a 2X2 square that matches the center square on the block pattern, plus 1/4" margin on all sides, and attached the back of the paper to the wrong side of the fabric with a tiny dab of glue stick. 

Then, I folded the paper 1/4" above the line separating #1 and #2.  Left above pic is the back (of the paper).  I lined up the white fabric, unfolded the paper, flipped it over, and sewed on the line. 

Then I folded the paper down again and trimmed

both fabrics even with the fold. (right)

Below, I cut the strip even with the edge of the black square. Then I opened it up, and ironed.

I did the same with the other three sides (following the order of the numbers as always), then started with the corners.  Below, the first corner placed on the back (of the paper - right side of block), flipped over and stitched on the line.  This pic is the back of the paper again.

Below, I turned it over, folded down the paper again, and trimmed all of the fabric in line with the fold.

Below, all four corners done. 

I flipped it over and trimmed along the outer lines of the paper pattern, and that's it.

Below, finished, except for the removing of the paper, which Kimberly told us should wait until the whole piece is completed.  If using computer paper, carefully tear each section out along the sewing lines so you don't tear out the stitching.  Also, using a smaller stitch and/or doubling back at the ends will help with this.