One gazillion half square triangles
Before I got my AccuQuilt, I would never in a million years tackle a project with so many half square triangles, there are over a thousand of them in this quilt I finally settled on. With the AccuQuilt, it’s so easy!
It cuts perfectly every time, and the corners are already dog-eared for me. No more cutting squares, drawing a gazillion lines down the center, sewing down each side, then cutting them apart a quarter-inch off the seam… then still having to square them up!
All that is done in one simple cut, a with my Studio I can cut hundreds at a time. They sew together perfectly and I never need to square them up. Although, I do pre-starch all my fabrics prior to cutting, it helps tremendously in both cutting and sewing accuracy.
You might notice I’ve swapped out the blue for a burgundy! I really, really wanted to use that blue. And I really, really knew that if I did, I’d likely through in the towel before I ever finished the quilt. I don’t mind a bit of blue here and there in a project, but I’m not a blue girl.
I laid out one black so that you could see my actual fabrics. They never look the same in EQ7 no matter how hard I try to duplicate them. Most of the time I don’t even bother. The darker beige is the color that all the solid twelve-inch blocks will be, they should look beautiful quilted!
Back to cutting! I want to start working on this quilt so I have a legitimate excuse to take breaks from the Yuletide Magic quilt on the longarm. Nope, I still haven’t finished the middle section, I’m about halfway there though!
I really like the block. I agree the blue & green were too close in color to give definition to the block.
Not as much in “real life” as in the computer image, but the burgundy and green definitely have more contrast. Plus I LIKE burgundy. LOL
Yeah, baby! I use my Accuquilt ALOT ALOT ALOT !
I notice the subtle changes you’re making to your blog…LOL
I love my AccuQuilt, it’s the best! Yes, I continue to plug away at the blog a bit here and there
What would be the point in wasting fabric and time working on something you don’t like – now that is insane imho
Regarding die cutting, I’m looking for an apparatus to help my pm bones. I see some blogs where people still have to square up HSTs even though they use a die cutting machine. Is this just down to not starching or is the Studio better at cutting than say the GO?
I never thought I would even think about getting a die cutter but right now it is either that or give up piecing altogether. I can get DH to crank a handle any day but I can’t look on when he uses a rotary cutter. Being an engineer and dr in physics he keeps coming up with different ways of cutting that drives me round the bend
This quilt isn’t for me Marianne, I was trying to use more popular colors as the quilt will be a gift, but I’ve come to the conclusion that if it doesn’t have some shade of red in it, I’m not making it!
The Studio is no more accurate than the GO, YES YES YES to starch. It makes all the difference in the world, not only more accurate cutting, but more accurate piecing. Those bias edges don’t stretch when they are well starched.
It’s interesting to hear different views on die cutters. Maybe it is one of those gadgets people either love or hate. Thanks for the feedback.
Marianne, I think it has more to do with the skill level of the piecer. You must still sew a precise and accurate 1/4 inch seam, and you must still be careful not to stretch the bias edge as you are sewing. I reduce the presser foot pressure on my machines that I piece on so that it is just enough to feed the fabric.
You are so right about the foot pressure. I have had much better “luck” with piecing after I reduced the foot pressure on my old Bernina 801. It’s now set up permanently for piecing (takes too long to keep altering and experimenting if I use it for something else) Enjoy your week-end!
Absolutely beautiful. I’ve always loved this design, but your colors really make it pop. I think I’m going to have to get this die.
SewCalGal
http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com