Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Flying Geese and Bloc-Loc Rulers


Scrap busting ... just using up some of the leftover bits and pieces from my Kaleidoscope project.

Flying Geese are one of my favorite patchwork units but as I am overly fastidious about my patchwork piecing I have in past struggled with piecing these units accurately - or accurately enough for me to be happy with them.

Bloc-Loc Flying Geese Rulers:
1.5 inches x 3 inches
2 inches x 4 inches
3 inches x 6 inches

But struggle no more.  I do love my gadgets, rulers and templates, and when I happened to stumble upon these Bloc-Loc Rulers specifically designed for squaring up flying geese units I knew I needed to try them out. The rulers come with cutting and sewing instructions for an easy piecing flying geese unit with slightly oversized measurements (to allow for trimming back).  I am a keen trimmer and although it is time consuming I like the accuracy that is achieved by this extra step.  For me it is worth the extra time.  


The Flying Geese Bloc-Loc rulers are specifically trimming rulers and have a 1/4 inch channel or groove at the back which firmly hugs the 1/4 inch seam allowance of the pieced unit, allowing you to trim all around for a perfect Flying Geese unit; no measuring is required for placement of the ruler nor does the ruler shift/slide when cutting.  Placement of the ruler is quick and accurate, every time.


I purchased my Bloc-Loc rulers directly from the Bloc-Loc website.  My order arrived promptly and I was so pleased with my initial purchase that I have since ordered several different size Half Square Triangle  Bloc-Loc trimming rulers; and those too will soon be put to good use.

Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Bloc-Loc Rulers available from The Fat Quarter Shop
Kaleidoscope Medallion Quilt and Free Pattern
Finished Kaleidoscope Medallion Quilt

28 comments:

  1. For the precision geeks among us, these are the best tools to appear in ages. So happy to hear that you tried these rulers ~ and at my suggestion! Aren't they wonderful?

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  2. My geese always end up a tad wonky, might have to put these on the 'want' list.

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  3. I want all of them! Wish they weren't so pricey.

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  4. Thanks Rita - I've been looking for these. I think it's time to order a set.

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  5. I keep telling myself that I need to make a flying geese quilt and conquer my avoidance of making them in mass quantities! I think these would be a great help (I can't handle losing my points!).

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  6. May I ask about the yellow fabric with grey bows? Do you remember who makes it?

    Thank you!

    :o)

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  7. Do the bloc-loc rulers work if you press your seams open?

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  8. I love the bloc-loc ruler also. It nestles in the seams perfectly for better control when trimming.

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  9. These look great, thanks for bringing them to our attention. I was a bit disappointed to see how expensive they are. I'll start saving!

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  10. I hadn't heard of these! Thanks so much for the info.

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  11. That ruler is amazing!! I always have the hardest time getting my flying geese accurate.

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  12. Wow, this is a must for all us quilters alike. Again, WOW another amazing ruler to make flying geese easier and more accurate. I agree with Hilary. Thanks for sharing. I'll check out their web site.
    Debbie

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  13. I tried out a HST ruler at a quilt show, and it was indeed super neat. But alas too expensive for me. :-(

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    1. I agree, Jenny - WAY too expensive. I'm sure she'll continue to sell them in spite of us, however. :-)

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    2. Thank you for stopping by Gayle - I agree they're not cheap but they are a great investment and a easy to use, functional tool. These rulers really suit my sewing style (over-sizing and trimming blocks) and I use them often to make my quilts. Also know that you don't need to buy every size HST Bloc-Loc trimming ruler - for example, if you were to purchase the 6" HST Block Loc ruler you'll be able to trim all HST sizes up to and including that size. Rita

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  14. This looks like a great product, thank you for the information.

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  15. I love my BlocLoc HST rulers!!!

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  16. I recently bought a HST squaring up ruler - it is da bomb! Maybe I can try flying geese with one of these rulers. I didn't realise how much easier it is to square things up with a specialised ruler...

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  17. Wow! I did not know about Bloc-Loc. Thanks for the tip. How great are they! I'll have to order some before I plan a flying geese quilt.

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  18. Love your colorful flying geese! I, too, love to start with an over-sized block and then trim for more precise piecing.

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  19. Thanks for this excellent tip! I am just starting to appreciate all the amazing gadgets that are out there for quilters and these sound like a minor miracle!

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  20. Thanks Rita! I ordered quite a few of these today! I have seen these a few times at quilt shows and such but never really paid attention to them, but these look awesome! I ordered a set of the flying geese and a set of the half square triangles. I watched the videos on their website and these look easier than any other ruler and I think that these will be so much faster :). Thanks for the info on these and the inspiration. :).

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  21. I paper piece my flying geese. I use Foundation Factory 2 software & go to the "borders". I can adjust the size that I want & print to foundation paper. I often tape the papers together to make a continuous row. This solved the accuracy problem for me.

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  22. Saw this at the Quilt & Craft Show yesterday, kicking myself I didn't get one of the half square triangle rulers, thankfully 3 of my guild mates did and have offered to let me use it.

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  23. Hope they have these at the Essex VT quilt show in 2 weeks!

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  24. I noticed several people commented on the price - but I bought one of the HST rulers at the AQS show in Lancaster, wincing at the price all the time. But after using it, I couldn't wait for the show in Paducah to go get a larger size! They are worth every penny - and that's quite a compliment coming from me, because I am CHEAP! I'm now seriously considering buying the Flying Geese Bloc-Loc....

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  25. I bought one and love it! I couldn't imagine using any other method. I plan to purchase more of these type rulers in the near future!

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