crocus999 wrote:
I call it twirling when I press all the seams in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction which requires removing a few stitches where the seams cross. The location where the seams cross on the backside will look like a miniature pinwheel on pinwheels blocks, or a miniature 4-patch on 4-patch and 9-patch blocks.

This is an amazing thread... it just keeps giving and giving! I left for several hours and am having a hard time keeping up with all the rest of the threads too... but happy to be a part of this wonderful group. Marianne, yes, on the right hand side of the ruler there is slot to put the rotary cutter through and cut your HSTs in half. If you want to see a picture of it and description, go to http://www.junetailor.com/Creativity_Center/CreativityCenter_ProductInstructions_Rulers_HalfSquareTriangles.htm

Annis and Marianne--love your blocks, the fabrics are so different yet they stand out beautifully in their own way. Don't forget you can post your progress in the show and tell section of the Laura Nownes' classroom.

Wow, this topic sure is going gangbusters right now! I knew this would be a fun group and am so happy that I joined!!

Renata - Glad you got a good cut! I'm sure you'll find a cutting method that works for you quickly.

Marianne - Beautiful 9-patches! I recognize the green and purple fabric with the circle design. Believe I have that one in my stash....

Annis - Love your pinwheels! I'm sure they'll fit fine with a little fudging.

Nancy

Did I hear square dancing?!....... Just one problem. We'd need Arnie Schwarzenegger at his fittest to 'stack the hay' with me.

Well, I see many of you are ahead of the teacher...and what is 'twirling'? Is there a video somewhere. Might be a neat activity for the Quilting Olympics - sounds like square dancing!

Hooray! I just finished my week 2 twirly-thingy blocks. All but one have a nice center, and that one isn't VERY far off. Don't have pics this time. Cheers!

I decided I needed 2 odds and ends days so I made the pinwheels today. Now I need to put labels on 2 quilts, then quit procrastinating and get back to my other work.

Like usual, I didn't follow the instructions. I've made many HST's that way but that is my least favorite way to do them. If you're using the line on the index card you don't need to mark that center line. Sometimes it is hard to get a straight seam though. Mine sometimes bow a little, but once the block is steam pressed and squared it looks fine. Since I needed 32 HST's for 8 blocks I decided to use 3" triangle paper. That of course didn't give me any extra for squaring the blocks, so after sewing them into pinwheels, and since I decided to twirl the seams instead of pressing them open, they were just a tad small. I will work that out when I sew the blocks together.



My suggestion is if you're using triangle paper, sew the seam just outside the line. For other piecing methods, square the HST's on the inside seams only to end up with approximately 3-5/8" units. Then after the units are sewn into pinwheels, square the blocks to 6-1/2", with the 3-1/4" mark on the ruler at the center of the block. This way you will not have to be so careful on the size of your seam allowances.

Marilyn, A little forgiveness is a good thing!

Marianne I guess I've gotten a little lazy since I hardly ever make clothing anymore.

Well, I learned that way, too. I think we all find where we can bend the rules a bit and relax a little.

Thank you, Lois. I love colours which is one of the things that has attracted me to trying out quilting but these are even more crazy than I usually end up with!
Marianne

Marily and Karen, I must learn to loosen up a little I guess . Old habits die hard. I have learnt the hard way how awful it is to wear a garment that I have made and not paid enough attention to the grain lines in the fabric and how horrible curtains can look if they are cut to a printed pattern that has been printed badly.

Marianne

Marianne, I love your 9 patches. Hope you use them all.

Me, either, Karen...And I find a little off grain " forgiveness" is a good thing for making things fit in the quilt world.
Not so much in he drape of clothes, maybe...

Renata, that looks like a very useful ruler. Do you use the rotary cutter in the slits?
Marianne, who is now off to watch todays video so I know what I am in for tomorrow