Having a Starry Time - Blog Hop

A blog post sponsored by The Fat Quarter Shop although (other than the Youtube Video) all of the words, opinions, images and instructions here are my own.

The humble Half Square Triangle (HST) has long been one of my favorite patchwork units to work with.  It is versatile and can be made quickly and accurately using various different methods.  One of those methods is by using Triangle Paper.

Triangle Paper is easy to use - all seam allowances are included in the pattern sheet and all you need to do is sew on the dashed lines and cut on the solid lines.  Simple, quick and so accurate.  See for yourself ...

How to Make Half Square Triangles by The Fat Quarter Shop

My Triangle Paper of choice was a 2 inch finished square and with it I have created the SuperNova Star Block.  And so let's start making.

SuperNova Star Block Tutorial

The SuperNova Star Blocks is consists of 3 different units: 4 Corner Units made up of Half Square Triangles, 4 Flying Geese Units and 1 Center Unit.  

Step 1 - Half Square Triangles 
Using 2 inch finished Triangle Paper and following the Youtube Video guide make 36 Half Square Triangles using a background fabric and contrast fabric in the following colors (or colors of your choice):

• 4 Blue Half Square Triangles
• 8 Black Half Square Triangles
• 12 Orange Half Square Triangles
• 8 Pink Half Square Triangles
• 4 Yellow Half Square Triangles

Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance sew together HSTs into four the same corner units as pictured.
Each Corner Unit Measures 6.5 inches x 6.5 inches.

Step 2 - Flying Geese Units
Fabric requirements for each Flying Geese Unit:

• 2 Squares (for wings) each measuring 2.5 inches x 2.5 inches - using a pencil mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of fabric.
• 1 Rectangle (for body) measuring 2.5 inches x 4.5 inches

1.  Place square on top of the background rectangle - right sides together - and sew ON the marked line.
2.  Trim off the corner leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
3.  Press the seam allowance toward the small corner triangle.

4.  Place another square on the other side of the rectangle.
5.  Sew on marked line, and trim excess fabric leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
6.  Press the seam allowance toward the small corner triangle.

Make a total of 12 Flying Geese Units each measuring 2.5 inches x 4.5 inches.

Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance sew Flying Geese Units into four sets of three units as pictured.
This unit measures 4.5 inches x 6.5 inches

Step 3 - Center Unit

Fabric Requirements for Center Unit:

• 4 squares (green) each measuring 2.5 inches x 2.5 inches (with a pencil mark a diagonal line on each small square)
• 1 square (background fabric) measuring 4.5 inches x 4.5 inches

In the same way as the you have pieced the Flying Geese Units now piece the Center Unit.

The Center Unit measures 4.5 inches x 4.5 inches.

Step 4 - Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance sew Corner Units, Flying Geese Units and Center Unit together:

The finished SuperNova Star Block Measures 16.5 inches x 16.5 inches 

The Triangle Papers were a revelation!  I certainly didn't miss not having to trim the Half Square Triangles Units to size for accuracy, and removal of the paper super quick;  a quick tug of the corner and the paper came away from the fabric without any residue.  Having shortened my stitch length as suggested made it effortless.  And as my roll of Triangle Paper makes 800 HSTs there are more 2 inch HST projects in my future.

And a Giveaway

The Fat Quarter Shop are giving away a roll of 2 inch Half Square Triangle Paper to one lucky reader.  Just leave a comment on this post if you're ready to whip up a batch of HSTs the quick, easy and accurate way ~ no trimming required.

A winner will be drawn on tomorrow - Tuesday 19 March 2013 and announced by blog post. The winner will also be notified by email.

GIVEAWAY ENTRY HAS NOW CLOSED 

A WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY

With thanks to the Fat Quarter Shop for sponsoring this blog post.  Check out the Fat Quarter Shop's full range of Triangle Paper here:  Triangle Paper

Rita

What to do with those leftovers?

There were oodles of fabric scraps leftover from this week's epic stitching sessions, and rather than box them up for a rainy day I went off on a tangent and started piecing the tiny pieces together.

I know I say this often, but I really loved making these - wall hangings, mug rugs (with room for cake!), placemats, coasters etc.  I had fabric in every color of the rainbow and the color play was endless.  All of the fabrics used here are Robert Kaufman Kona Cottons and the squares and Half Square Triangles were cut to measure just 2 inches.

All four squares were basted (including a layer of batting) and  then quilted.  The quilting designs vary and have made an impact on the finished look of each of the squares. 

For binding fabric I have used Kona Cotton in Pepper which might just be my preferred new black;  it is a dark, dark grey color, easily mistaken for black, without the harshness of a true black fabric.

The four squares make a really cheerful set, and I have listed them for sale in my Etsy Store.  SOLD

Happy browsing!

Rita

Bee Imaginative - July and August 2010

I have spent some time getting up to speed with the Bee Imaginative virtual quilting bee.

July blocks for Ryan - Ryan asked for Asterisks blocks (made using this nifty tutorial).

These Asterisk blocks initially looked quite complicated to piece, but once I got started they really were very easy and came together rather quickly.

August blocks for Kate - Kate asked for a simple square in a square block. 

Kate's blocks will be used to make a Bento Box quilt.  Each block Kate receives will be cut into quarters, rearranged and pieced together again.  Lots of examples of Bento Box Quilts can be seen on Flickr. (absolutely love Kate's choice of fabrics!)

More Bee Imaginative block swappers here.

Progress

Just in case you are wondering what I am up to this week:

I am still piecing blocks with tiny squares.  Each block measures 13 inches x 13 inches and is made up of  100 pieces each.  Each finished square measures 1.25 inches.  Tiny!

I do love how the blocks look laid out next to each other, however this layout is not going to be how the final design will come together. I am busy piecing another block with which the above blocks will be alternated.

Hopefully the final layout will come together as planned.  More pictures soon.

Rita

The Star Puzzle Block

The call of the sewing machine did not go unheeded today.

This patchwork block is called the Star Puzzle block, although I have altered the suggested fabric layout a little.  The inspiration for this block came from Quick & Easy Block Tool by  C&T Publishing.  - Block #87

 

This pocket-sized guide features rotary-cutting instructions for 102 traditional quilt blocks in 5 different sizes.   Although these blocks are simple, and I may not necessarily need the cutting and layout instructions, I do enjoy these kind of references, and can be found on my bedside table for late night browsing and inspiration.

Originally uploaded by Denyse Schmidt Quilts

Katie Jump Rope

The fabrics: -  lots of Katie Jump Rope and Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt.  I am ensuring that my Katie Jump Rope stash is abundant and have this week replenished it.You just can't have too much of Katie Jump.