This week we made blue and white half square triangles.
Blue is probably my favourite colour, so I had a lots of blues in my stash to chose from.
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| After seeing all that red dye last week, I decided to prewash the blues too. |
I also had a number of low volume prints with hints of blue on them, so I've used up some of them too.
I prefer to make my half square triangles (HST) by cutting squares 1" bigger than the finished size of the block. I then mark a diagonal line with a ruler, and sew 1/4" either side of it. I cut down the line and then press the two halves open. I use my Bloc loc ruler and my rotating cutting board to trim up my HSTs.
Bonnie suggested a couple of methods in her blog post for making HSTs, but I'm comfortable with the method I've been using for some years now.
I'm linking up with Bonnie Hunter's linky party here. You can see everyone else's progress if you take a look at Bonnie's post on her Quiltville blog.
Nice blues and reds! (I checked out your previous post too) This is the 4th year I've been doing Bonnie's mystery quilts. There are always lots of pieces, but the instructions are always clear, I always learn something new and it uses up a good chunk of stash. It is also loads of fun quilting along with so many others, sharing progress and seeing other color combos. You won't be disappointed!
ReplyDeleteYour blocks look great! I prefer this method to make HSTs too but did have to make a few the "Bonnie" way to make the best use of my scraps this time around.
ReplyDeleteSo many good songs with the word blue...blue skies, shining on me, nothing but blue (fabric), do I see...
ReplyDeleteBlue is my favorite color too. Love yours!
ReplyDeleteI use this traditional method as well. FYI, whatever finished size you are going for, add 7/8 inch to your square. For instance, if you want a 2" finished HST, cut the squares 2 7/8." Good luck with Good Fortune.
ReplyDeleteYour method makes such delicious slivers! When I trim off slivers like that I throw them in a pretty bowl or vase, and they become a fun decoration while I’m working on a project.
ReplyDeleteThat's how I make my HST's and I think the Bloc Loc and rotating mat are so useful in getting them just right. That hump made it hard to square up using a regular flat ruler. They are rather expensive but after struggling trying to square up hundreds of 2 1/2" HST blocks for pinwheels I invested in one and love it, wish I broke down and bought it when I first started because I'm not remaking all the slightly wonky ones.
ReplyDeleteyour's is looking good, wish I had time to start it now but Christmas sewing is way behind
ReplyDeleteA wonderful combination of blues! Love it so far.
ReplyDeleteI am working on Bonnie's mystery quilt as well. And love the bloc loc rulers. For clue 3 and if you want to use the flying geese bloc loc ruler, cut the rectangles and squares 1/2" bigger and then square up using the flying geese ruler. I didn't. Wish I had. Makes for a much more relaxed sewing session. But I tried a sample block afterwards to see if it would work. It does and I think a bigger seam allowance is much nicer. Will do so next time I encounter chevron blocks.
ReplyDeleteLove your quilts. Greetings from California