Help a hero heal and learn something new too!

Quilts for Heroes!

A quick and easy way to make a bunch of half square triangles and help a hero heal is what is on deck today.

Two of my friends operate some of the best Quilt Shows in the country - MQX Festivals - and they are hosting a block drive for Quilts of Valor.  Make a block or two or twenty and Mary and Janet-Lee will see that they get made into quilts for our veterans who need to know they are appreciated and loved.

They have all the information posted on their website MQX Festivals QOV Block Drive and since our goal is a ton of blocks I would love the share a quick and easy way to make tons of half square triangles that are used in one of their chosen blocks (and can be used in any block):  

 

 

Anvil

You can see in the picture of my block that you need 8 half square triangles.



Cutting: 
Gray:  Cut one 7 3/4" x 7 3/4" square (HST)
Red: Cut one 7 3/4" x 7 3/4" square (HST) Gray: Cut four 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares (corners)
Red: Cut one 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" square (center)

 Normally when you make Half Square Triangles (HST) they tell you to cut the square, draw a line down the middle...

Draw on the line, sew 1/4" on either side of the line and then cut on the line.

After sewing and cutting, press to the dark.

But if you have to make a lot of HST there is an easier way!

 

Since you know the cut size of the beginning square (in this case 3 7/8") all you have to do is double it. This is the same for any quilt block - as long as you know the size of the square you start with you just double it.

For this 12 Anvil block that works out to 6 3/4" x 6 3/4" and you need one of each color fabric you are using. 

Draw two lines diagonally as shown here.

Lay the two squares needed on top of each other with right sides together.

 Because I like accuracy I put one pin across the lines as shown.  I don't want any slipping around just don't sew over them. Sew 1/4's seam on both sides of the lines.

After you sew on either side of the lines it should look like this.

Now you have to make the cuts.  Remember our original size to make TWO HST was 3 7/8" square right?  Lay your ruler across as I have shown and the 3 7/8" line should be on the outer edge (bottom in the pic) and the edge I would use to cut should fall right in the middle when there lines intersect.  Cut. 






Note: Whatever size your "make two at a time" HST blocks start with is the measurement you need to know for this cutting part.

Without moving anything, do the same thing going the other direction.   Don't move any of the parts.

Next go from corner to corner and make another cut. Do this in both directions.

Next up you cut on the DRAWN lines - cut in both directions.

After cutting this is what you will end up with - 8 half square triangles done all at one time.

Press to the dark, trim the ends and bingo you are all done with 8 HST!  

To recap:  All you need to know in order to use this method on any block is the size of the square you start with to make a pair of HST at one time. You don't need to know the finished size of the HST, you don't need to sew them one pair at a time, you just need to know the size of the original square you cut.  Double that size and follow the cutting and sewing as I have outlined here and you are good to go. 


Use the photo of my block as placement and sew together as you normally would any block. 

I made this in spite of the fact that I broke my shoulder 10 days ago and sew if I can do this using mainly my left hand surely you can make a block or two :-)

Address and fabric requirements are shown on this link MQX QOV Block Drive

And just in case you think you might want to make a ton of them you can put them all in one quilt as shown here.  LOL

Sew get your friends together and have a QOV block making party and send our heroes some love!  And in case you are curious, I'll be at MQX Springfield in September and look forward to seeing you there!

 

Quilty hugs ~  Linda

Stash Buster BOM Block #16

This installment of the BOM is not technically a block but rather the sashing that goes in between all the blocks.  

 

There are still blocks/components to come so you won't be able to put the quilt together until after the February posts ☺

 

Two piece sashing unit - make 48.


 

Things to consider.  When choosing fabric for this step please consider that it meets up in the intersections with the little 4 patch units you made a few months ago.  Choose your fabric so the combo is pleasing.  Since my blocks all have a solid black background I decided to go with two dark prints that have some contrast due to the scale of the print.  They also pair nicely with my 4 patches.







Super simple construction.

You need to cut 2" strips WOF (width of fabric) from each of your two sashing fabrics.  You need 16 of each.

Take care when cutting so that a vertical line on the ruler stays on the fold of the fabric as you cut.  

Doing this will keep you from cutting a strip that ends up having a V in it.  












Sometimes as you cut multiple strips it is necessary to re-square and cut the bottom edge to make certain the vertical line stays on the fold - this is OK.

See how the line on the ruler is not square to the fold of the fabric?  Even though the edge of the ruler is on the cut edge of the fabric cutting a strip using the cut edge and ignoring the vertical line on the fold would result in a strip having a V in the center of it.

Re-square the bottom edge as necessary and check to make sure the vertical line is on the fold with every cut.




Sew the two strips together.  Take great care when pressing.  It is easy to distort a long skinny strip.  I often finger press first and then ease the iron along the seam. (Note: If you find you are having trouble with this step, just sub cut the strips into the 12.5" lengths after sewing them together and then press them to the dark.)

Once you have the strips sewn just sub cut into 12.5" pieces.  Be sure to keep one line of the ruler you are using along the seam of the strip so they stay nice and straight as you cut.  I use my 12.5" x 12.5" square ruler for this task.
Make 48 sashing units and then relax!  The goal is in sight!!!  ☺

Ta Dah!  Block #16 is done.  

 

See you next month!   Quilty hugs....Linda T.

Stash Buster BOM ~ Block #15

Corner Triangles!  

Here is another compontent of the Stash Buster BOM ~ and the goal is in sight. 

February will be the last block post and then the fun can begin - putting it all together!  If you have stuck it out to this point I congratulate you!

Let's get started!






You will be making 4 "blocks" and need the following:

4 7/8" x 4 7/8" squares

Cut 6 squares of gold print (background fabric) in my quilt my background fabric is black.

Cut 2 squares of red print (scraps)

Cut all squares once on the diagonal.  You will end up with 12 gold triangles and 4 red triangles.

 







Pair a red triangle with a black triangle and sew a 1/4" seam.  Press to the dark.









Trim off the pesky ears.

Make 4 of these units.










Sew a black triangle to one side of the HST unit (red side) and press to the dark.  Sew the other black triangle to the opposite side and press to the dark.  This is the back side and you can see how I have pressed it.  Notice those "intersections" which will help keep those points intact when you put the quilt together.   








You need to make 4 and the long side of the triangle should measure 12.5" from point to point.

 TA DAH!!!  Another job well done! 

 

Quilty hugs....Linda Thielfoldt  ☺

Nifty little gifts for my quilting pals!

Super fun and cute ornaments from your scrap bin.

Are you a saver of the fabric selvages? If so you are in luck as that is what you need for this nifty project.I have a box of them that I had cut off and saved over the years and I knew I wanted to do something quilty with them (not a quilt). This little project was super fun and I cranked out quite a few of them in a couple of evenings.  Due to the death of my dear sister Em I have been doing lots of no brainer things to keep me busy and my mind off how sad I feel.

These have been tucked in Christmas cards and are a nice surprise for a quilting pal and I am also using them as gift tags!

Lets get started.  First you need some simple shapes.  Cookie cutters that are rather large and have simple lines are good options.  If the shape is right but the size is too small just enlarge it.

For each ornament/tag you need a piece of muslin and a backing fabric (preferably cute and or seasonal)

Cut out both pieces making sure to have 1/4" all around the shape.  I have a bell and a stocking shape.  I also used the tri-recs ruler to make a Christmas tree shape. 

FYI:  I made one with a star shape but turning the points proved too bulky and more difficult than I anticipated and it was not worth the effort.

It is important to identify the right and wrong side of the fabric....make sure to add the fabric strips to the "right" side of the fabric so when you go to sew the lining (backing) it is going the correct way.


Start at one edge of the shape - here I started at the toe of the stocking.  Place a piece of the selvage with the printing you want to feature and sew it down.  Lay another one on top and sew along the edge making sure that the second piece covers the raw edge of the first strip. Extend the strips out beyond the muslin shape by a quarter inch or more.  Continue on in this manner until the whole shape is covered. You will note that I did not lay them all down exactly even, I tilted some as the fabric would allow to show more of the color part of the printed fabrics. I also think it makes them more interesting.

When you flip it over it will look like the stocking on the left side.  Stitch around the outer edge just inside the cut edge of the shape. Very important step!

Once you have the edge stitching complete, trim to match the muslin shape.

You need a hanging loop of some sort.  I just folded a piece of the selvage and top stitched it.  I tucked it inside the two fabrics sandwiched right sides together.   I then sewed around the perimeter leaving the top open just beyond the loop.  Clip the curves and turn inside out and tuck in the upper edge, press and then using tacky glue close the opening you made for turning.  If you have a bell or tree shape you need to add a clanger and or a trunk - again I just used more of the strips and made sure I had no raw edges showing.

I chose fun prints for the backing/lining fabrics.  On the tree I used a piece of embroidery floss to make a hanging loop.

Fun funky selvage ornaments and gift tags by Linda M. Thielfoldt

And two gift tags for a couple of my quilting pals - I think they are so adorable.  I just wrote on the back Merry Christmas (their name), the year and then my name.

Hope you enjoyed this fun little project.  Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Quilty hugs,
Linda T.

Getting Ever Closer ~ Just a few more BOM posts

Side Triangles - Oh My!

We are nearing the end of the BOM and there is only one more "block" after this one left to make.  Since I know the holidays are busy for most people I thought I would give you something to work on over the next few weeks and then pick back up in January with the last block and other components that make the quilt.  We should wrap things up in February with the final components and borders.

Please do not assemble the quilt at this point.

Most quilters struggle with half square triangles (HST).  They involve what for many is a dirty word - bias!  Many companies have produced tools and supplies to help quilters with this but I think this is by far the easiest and most accurate method. The beauty of this is you can use it no matter what the size half square triangle you need to make.  The only down side is if you need scrappy HST this is not the method to use since they end up all the same.

So having said that, let's get started!

You will need the following:  

A - 15  squares cut  4  7/8" x  4  7/8" (background) 
and then cut once on the diagonal to yield 30 triangles




B - 4  squares cut 9  3/4" x 9  3/4" (scraps)

B - 4  squares cut 9  3/4" x 9  3/4"  (background)

Here are my B squares.   I am using red for my HST and the squares are all the same.  Since there are so many HST to make I am not making them scrappy.  I figure the blocks are scrappy enough and doing the side triangles the same will bring some continuity to the quilt.

Draw a line 4 of the squares - choose the one that is easiest to see the marking on. Do this on all 4 of that color.  In my case this is the background fabric.

Do the same thing in the opposite direction.

Your square should look like this - a big X.

Pair the square with the other fabric (scraps) making sure right sides are together.

Pin using 4 pins - just to make sure the fabrics do not slip around during the sewing.

Sew 1/4" seam on both sides of BOTH lines.  What you see here is my chalked line and then the stitching lines on either side of that.  

Now you need to take your ruler and cut through the center - place the ruler on the 4 7/8" line on the outer edge of the block. The cutting edge should run right through the middle of the X.  Make certain that your ruler is straight along the outer edge of the block - if not your HST units will not come out to the correct size. If you look on the right side of the block you will see that I also put the vertical line along the right hand edge of the block - sorta under the letter E on my ruler. As long as the bottom 4 7/8" line and that line don't move while cutting, my HST will be perfect.   Do not move the fabric after you make the cut.

You may be wondering how I came up with the cutting measurement.....If you refer back to the cutting instructions above you will see that the square we cut to do them individually measured  4  7/8" - so you just cut on that measurement.   



(NOTE:  If you want all your HST to be scrappy you make them using the measurement listed as A for both A & B but you have a bunch of them to make. LOL)


The cool thing about this method is it works for any size HST you need to make.  Just double the original square you would use to make them individually and then proceed.  4  7/8" x 2 = 9  3/4" square.   The only downside is they are all going to be the same - so if you want a scrappy look you need to make them individually. 

Do the same thing in the opposite direction.  Place the ruler on the 4 7/8" line on the outer edge of the block.  The edge you use to cut should be running right through the center of the big X.  Do not move the fabric.

Next take your ruler and cut on the marked line you drew in the beginning.  Again, do not move the fabric.

Move your ruler to the other line and cut on that marked line. 

This is what you should end up with after all the cutting is completed. Eight half square triangles all in one fell swoop!  I love this method.  Easy, accurate and you don't have to worry too much about the bias. 








Press them all to the dark. 

Your 4 squares will yield 32 HST units - you only need 30 for the side triangles.


Now wasn't that super easy?

You know I always lay out the components of any block I am making so here we go.  Be sure to orient the color to the correct position - it's super easy to get them turned around.

Sew the single triangles to the HST unit in each row. Press so the seams alternate within each row so when you go to sew them together they nest nicely.

Sew the remaining single triangle to the top of the middle HST unit.  Press. Then sew the two units together.  Keep an eye out for those point intersections.

TA DAH!  Triangle Block #14 is done....now go make 9 more.  ☺  Be sure to trim off the little ears.











I hope you found this method easy to do and that all your points come out perfect.  Don't forget to press in between each step!  See you in January!!

May you have a blessed holiday season and thanks for following along - I can't wait to see your Stash Buster BOM quilts!  

Quilty hugs,  

Linda