Many thanks to all that joined last week's party. There were many lovely projects shared, and this week's feature is Sharon at Dragon's Heart Quilting. Sharon was inspired by a pile of triangles left over from a previous finish. She then selected a great pattern to use some batik "scraps"... Bonnie Hunter's "Twirl Around."
Great choice for the "scraps" Sharon!
Sharon stated that she doesn't tend to make many quilts with so many HST because trimming to size was time consuming since she made her units oversized.
This is something I do as well! I do it on purpose when writing patterns so that I or a beginning quilter can have better success in achieving precise points when the blocks are complete. For example, if I am making a 3-1/2 half-square triangle unit, I will write the pattern to use 4" squares and then trim to size after pressing. Many patterns will call for 3-7/8" squares. If you are a very consistent and precise "scant 1/4-inch sewist", that's great.
I, however, find that when I end up with some wonky blocks that are not perfectly square. That's why I over-size my units.
Which school are you from?
Precise measurements?
Or "give me a little wiggle room?"
Last week was, again, a slow week in the studio. Dave and made arrangements to combine a get-away and accomplish some errands and shopping... BOTH of which we needed to do.
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| Nessie was spotted. ;) Do you see it? |
We went to Pueblo State Park. We picked up assorted parts and supplies for Dave and the water system and dropped off a few items for jewelry repair. And then... we did some shopping for a hot tub.
We had acquired a hot tub in 2004 when my Grandma T moved from Tucson to Trinidad. It came with her house, and it made her nervous. Every week she would ask me "what am I going to do with that pool?" I would reassure her that we would get it moved out of her yard soon. It was a few months since we had to wait for spring to arrive and get the wiring prepared. (She moved into the house in January.) We enjoyed it for at least 10 years and had to replace a few parts along the way but when the computerized mother board failed, it was time to part ways. It was a very, very sad day.
We have wanted to replace it for several years but right away was not an option since our business, Nolan Quality Customs was still getting established, and the funds were tight. With each additional year of our lives and the increasing aches and pains that come with aging, the desire has increased.
We found a good deal on a 4-person tub, 2023 model, and our excitement has continued to grow with each passing day. If I close my eyes, I can almost feel the warmth of the water and feel the pains begin to melt away. Not that we need a 4-person tub... Afterall, as a friend states... Hot tubbing is really a 2-person sport. LOL!
But enough on that...
I prepped nearly 70 hexagons while driving and excitedly pulled out the main piece of the RSC project when we got home. I was ready to lay them out. Sadly, I have discovered that I am still way short of completing it. :(
I think, now seeing where I am at, I need to extend the green even further down (center - maybe even blend into yellow?), find more orange to extend that as well (on the right)... and blend into more pinks (on the left) and then fill in with browns, greys and black and whites/creams. Oh, but for now... I will collect up all of the prepared pieces and tuck them and the main piece back into the closet.
I am ready to move onto a new project. Nothing new in mind... Throw me some suggestions!
Time to start the party! Be sure to tell your friends to join too.
Keep Piecing,
Melva
Linking with:
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Glad you had a chance to get away, and a new hot tub sounds wonderful! I'm a quilter who likes to make blocks like HSTs a bit oversized and then trim down. I've tried other methods and keep coming back to that. Have a great week, Melva!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. Make them a bit oversized and tell them down. 😊
ReplyDeleteGet aways are always nice and a hot tub to soothe the aches sounds divine! I prefer to have some wiggle room so I make blocks a little larger and spend the time to trim to size. I have a better chance of accuracy that way! As for the next project, is there one on your bucket list?--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteGetting away sounds so nice, and you have so many beautiful places to choose from nearby! I like extra wiggle room with my HSTs, but I have begun to make them as leaders/enders with leftover triangles, so I just clip off the little points and don't worry about perfect sizing. I like Sharon's pretty quilt as a suggestion for how I can use those little HSTs!
ReplyDeleteI've never been in a hot tub! As for your question, I cut large and trim. I use the Eleanor Burns Triangle Square-Up ruler for HSTs and QSTs and Deb Tucker's rulers for other units.
ReplyDeleteYes, having some wiggle room with HSTs always helps me greatly. I'm not fond of the trimming, but the precision makes my overall quilt top much better.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you get away for a time, and you will surely enjoy that new hot tub!
Oh a hot tub sounds sooo good, I could use one too! Sometimes I want exact measurements and sometimes I like to oversize and trim.
ReplyDeleteyour hexie project is gorgeous! We haven't made it to pueblo yet
ReplyDeleteLeeanna
I'm also one to cut slightly oversized and then trim to size after sewing. For me it makes for much more accurate blocks in the end. Enjoy that hot tub!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finding a replacement hot tub! Your hexagon project is looking magnificent so far.
ReplyDeleteThe hexies look so pretty!!! I like to work on mine in the car too - you may not be quite there but you have done a lot! Thanks for joining in on Home Matters Linky Party! I will be featuring your post this week! #HomeMattersParty xx
ReplyDeleteI like precise cuts, but that sure doesn't mean that I get them.
ReplyDelete