What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

A while back I asked about “bonus half square triangles,” those pieces that can result from stitch-flip-trim patterns. Many said that they had a lot of them. Many said they weren’t sure how to use them.

I have been thinking about that, and found a number of uses for them. You will see some in upcoming posts.

But I also wanted to create a block that would use them specifically. The block can be created using (at least) three sizes of half square triangles: 2-1/2″, 2″, 1-1/2″. And you can make anything from a mini quilt, to ...

This little modern mini quilt is so simple to sew! Use your own half square triangles from a previous project or sitting in your stash.

No half square triangles lying about? That’s fine too- they are quick to sew up.

There are a couple of videos that will help you along as well. How to square up your half square triangles and how to bind the quilt using the backing fabric.

Materials Needed:

11 — 2″ X 2″ half square triangles (use them from your stash)

OR

6 — 2 1/2″ X 2 1/2″ background

6 — 2 1/2 ...

Got a stack of 10″ squares (a.k.a. layer cakes) waiting for their moment to shine? Let’s turn them into a stunning chevron quilt that’s as fun to make as it is to snuggle under. This project is perfect for beginners and seasoned quilters alike—no complex math, just simple half-square triangles (HSTs) that come together in a rhythmic zigzag pattern.

Whether you’re using a coordinated layer cake bundle or mixing and matching from your stash, this quilt is a fantastic way to play with color and contrast. Plus, it’s a great excuse to spend ...

Yesterday was like a "vacation" with only one presentation, but I can't say I accomplished much. I did, but it wasn't what I wanted. However, I'm thrilled with what I made. Unfortunately, it's a gift for someone, so I can't share it yet, but I will. And it involved paper, not fabric. Imagine that! 

Wait - I took one picture to share with you. 

Cutting paper on the Singer Momento

Yes, that is the Singer Momento digital cutter, and I love it! I had fun manipulating an already-made design in the software and using some cool ...

I'm squeezing in one more finish before the end of the year and then my next blog post will be my annual wrap up. 

This quilt was designed and made for friend and work colleague. We gave it to her this week and she was thrilled.  

It possibly looks a bit washed out in these photos but it's bright!!

I received a very exciting text and email early this morning. I only saw them while making my breakfast, and I rarely looked at my phone until 9 a.m. However, I'm UPGRADED to business class for my trip! At least the way there—I still don't have a ticket home yet. Yeah, the flight is late at night, and I get a flatbed. Life is good! Now, what will I do with the $1,200 I saved? 

I finished the binding on the 10th donation quilt. Yeah! That goal is done. 

The last binding is on!!!

All ...

 It's always exciting to be at a quilt retreat. I love being at this retreat house (Retreat at the Farm); we missed all the chaos in the city yesterday. Apparently, the rain was incredible, and the flooding caused many issues with traffic and power. We didn't have problems with either in our immediate neighborhood, but it wasn't fun for some. 

We started the day with a trip to Creekbank Sewing, where we met with Sally, who added to The Pony Express! Actually, it was a very fortunate situation. She had something she no longer wanted and asked ...

 Yep -- here I am at a quilt retreat. It's a small group (intentional) and is one of the most relaxing retreats because of that! Plus, it's an excellent opportunity to catch up with friends we rarely see. After getting all the morning stuff out, I loaded the car and was on my way. I think this is our third or perhaps fourth retreat that this small group has done. 

I always look at what I bring and think do I need all that, but I've cut way down on what I bring. OK - so I threw in ...

Mount Projects! Elle -- I love it -- that's the new name for that ridiculously piled table of stuff! Yes -- there is ONE cluttered table, but it's better to have all that stuff on one table than to have little bits all over the place. I may have to resolve the fact that I will always have Mount Projects, but I'm OK - at least for now. 

But it's shocking how much you think you can get done in a day, and when you survey the place at the end, you didn't even touch a thing that was ...

FREEDOM!!!

OK -- so I'm not entirely off the hook as I have urgent paperwork to do this morning, but I spent most of yesterday just puttering and doing what I wanted, and it felt glorious! 

I am determined to keep things under control - OK - until the next crisis hits, but if I keep myself organized, those deadlines shouldn't be an issue? Perhaps I'm deluding myself. That's OK - I can live in a dream world. 

But the biggest issue for me is keeping the space clear. Why is that so hard? I seem to need a table ...

The vertigo is better and seems only to affect me if I bend down. My world no longer spins behind closed eyes while lying in bed. But I need to watch some of the links/sources you are providing. It's one of those things—do I want to cut into my sewing time or watch the video? How silly of me! My health should be a priority!

OK—so I had some real sewing at the treat yesterday. I had gotten to a point on my QUILTsocial posts that I couldn't progress further without another tool, which I ...

For our American friends who celebrated President's Day yesterday, we got to celebrate FAMILY Day! I don't even remember when they started that day or why. Was it because we needed a stat holiday in February, and Valentine's didn't cut it? 

AH -- If you check the history, it started in the province of Alberta in 1990 to recognize the importance of the home and family of their founding pioneers, and it has been adopted by most other provinces since. We've had Family Day in Ontario since 2008. 

Oh, you will be sick of me talking ...

NO --- I do not feel out of control today, but have you ever experienced that? You have no control over your life. Things are just piling up, and you're not happy? People driving you made? Deadlines looming? OK -- so I often feel out of control. Do you know what makes it all go away? 

By DOING! How many times have we agonized over doing something? The deadline looms closer, and we're still feeling out of control. Have you ever noticed that writing a list of the steps, starting the project, or at least getting organized will immediately calm ...

I spent the entire morning in front of the computer. My entire morning consisted of about 2 hours as I had to have lunch early because of a dentist appointment at Noon. In those two hours, I cranked out a lot of e-mails, but I'm behind, and I still have homework to send out. Well, it's incredible how much time all those little details take. 

I'll just keep plugging away at it, and as the classes are coming to a close for this year, hopefully, those follow-ups will get less and less, but then I have to ...

I'm back home today, even though the rest of the group is still at the retreat house. Based on my and DH's schedules, it made sense for me to come home. I have two days to regroup while he's traveling, and then I'm off again. Only three more weeks and the travel for the year will be done! Yeah!! Thankfully, none of the trips are long, but it means coordination because of the girls. If we didn't have dogs? Well, we'd probably never be home!

I'm sorry to miss the last two days ...

Finally!

It is now at the quilter. More updates (and promised tutorial) soon.

It comforts me that I'm not alone in daily life's "time-wasting" minutiae. It appears we all need a "wife" to do all the follow-up for us. Can you imagine how freeing that would be? I would love it - so if I ever won the lottery, I'd hire an assistant! 

Life got back to normal yesterday - as normal as it can be around here. The girls are not behaving normally - Murphy is so needy, and Lexi is being Lexi. I think they are out of sorts with DH being away, and they better get used to it because ...

Don't yell at me when I say there is so much to do and so little time. Because part of that statement is very accurate, but if I were really in a time crunch, I wouldn't have taken most of the day off! There are so many little things to finish, and I seem to be taking my sweet time to get to them. Personally, I'm OK with that, and there are only a few appointments this week, but I do have a guild presentation with the Grand Quilt Guild (Fergus) on Wednesday evening (the topic is ...

Ready to learn how to get half square triangles out of jelly roll strips? It isn’t hard, but you will have to be very careful doing these, as the cuts will be on the bias rather than straight of grain. Don’t be afraid, let’s take it one step at a time.

Begin by carefully pressing your 6 background (BG) strips and 6 jelly roll (JR) medium/dark strips with a generous amount of spray starch or Best Press. This will help keep the bias from stretching as you work with the half-square triangles.

Sew a JR strip ...