Stepping Stones Sampler, Lesson Three - Half Square Triangles

Are you ready for some more sewing?  This lesson is all about half square triangles!  We are going to make triangles using two methods - for the first one we'll use slightly oversized squares and trim them down to the needed size.

For this one, you will need to mark a diagonal line on the back of your background square. 

Layer right sides together with your main fabric square and sew 1/4 of inch on each side of your line.  Cut on your original line and press seam toward the main fabric.  Trim to the finished size and you are ready for method 2.

For the second method you'll need your medium fabric and background fabric.  This method will also require drawing a diagonal line on the back of the background fabric.  But this time we'll be sewing on the drawn line, just like the quick method we did for Flying Geese.

Cut off the excess fabric, then press toward the medium fabric.  These won't need trimmed, they'll come out just right and be ready to use to make the four Mosaic Blocks for the corners.  We'll work on those soon!

 Have fun!  I'd love to see your color choices and progress, so feel free to share - use the hashtag #steppingstonesquiltalong and #pamelaquilts on instagram so we can find them easily.  I'm resisting the temptation to start a new version, but will be sharing pictures of the four I've made so far as we go!

Thanks for quilting along with me!

Buy my pattern here:  Stepping Stones Sampler

Find the list of blog posts here:  Stepping Stones Quilt Along

Whirligig - Alternate block for Lozenge Unit, Quilter's Recipe Box

Welcome to month number seven of the Quilter's Recipe Box. If you are new to the series, check out the Quilter's Recipe Box tab at the top of my blog for an overview and a look at all the blocks I've made so far.  For this project I've been using Dotalicious from Island Batik.  Such a fun line!

I was having a bit of a mental block for working on this week's block - I think my sewing room has reached a tipping point - I've got to do something about the mess and disorder in there or I'll just start pitching stuff in the closet so I don't have to look at it anymore.  I did do some rearranging and tried to get rid of some of the clutter.  You know how it goes, though - I mostly just shuffled piles from one spot to another!  I did get it clean enough to feel like working on this block finally, though.

I liked the idea of using the Lozenge unit to make a star in the center of the block, but really fussed around about what to do with the corners.  I tried the white on the outside, but that was pretty blah.  Finally I tried it with the green on the outside and that made it come to life for me!

Quite a few pieces for this block, but it goes together quickly!  Cut four 3 1/2 inch squares of your darkest fabric.  Cut twelve 2 inch squares of a light color.  You need two 3 7/8 squares of your background fabric, cut in half diagonally for the half square triangle units.  Cut two 3 7/8 inch squares of a contrasting fabric for the corners (cut in half diagonally) and one 3 1/2 inch square of the same for your center block.

Sew a light 2 inch square to opposite corners of your dark 3 1/2 squares.  Arrange them so that the light corners look like star points.

Sew your four half square triangle units for the corners.  

Then sew the Square in a Square unit for the center and you have all your units completed for the block:

Sew the units together and you have your finished block!  

I really like the spinning motion of this block - I think it could make a fun quilt on its own.

My plan for this week is to work on two custom quilts using baby clothes and try to make a bit more progress in organizing my sewing room!  I also have several blog posts planned, so I can show some projects I've finished up this last week.  Maybe I'll even show you my progress in cleaning up...we'll see, it's a bit embarrassing at the moment!

Neither Wind Nor Rain

shall keep us fanatics from our regular exercise routine!  Today the weather was far from delightful - sideways rain is never much fun.  We still went out to the track and did our regular laps.  It was very stormy, but I am glad we did it.  I always feel better when I keep up on my exercise routine, even if I really don't want to.

As I started to tackle my list today I ran into a problem.  The fabric for the curtain panels has a very obvious flaw and there is no way to cut around it.  So I had to leave a message about the problem and we will see where we go from there.  I had not cut into the fabric yet, so that is a good thing as it can still be returned if that is the choice.  That left me free to work on another item that didn't make it onto my list, but needs to be done this week.

This is a quilt made by a customer at the quilt shop. The long arm machine had to be sent in for repairs, so I've been quilting the smaller quilts at home so they will be done for Christmas.  This one was 62 x 80.  It is actually a two sided quilt, so there quite a few seams on the back as well.  I'm glad I was able to finish it today, so it can be delivered this week.

I didn't get all the squares for the Allietare mystery done, but I did get another 60 finished and 20 cut out and ready to sew.

 I like to press them with a spritz of Best Press so they lay nice and flat!

60 finished triangles.  I am using some white and some off white.  I hope it works out all right!

I also got the Christmas tree up, so I can decorate it tomorrow.  Now I need to figure out what I need to buy for the lunch menu so I can add everything to my grocery list.  I'm happy with my progress for the day - hopefully I can make more tomorrow!