I am excited about this week's Fat Quarter Winner posts because they will involve tutorials! Everybody loves a good tutorial, and between Monique, Thelma, Lisa and I, we will give you four of them this week. Except, as usual, I had too much to say, and have broken my tutorial into two parts. That's me, Motor Mouth (or Motor Fingers) Nicole.
Above, you see a picture of my finished block. My pattern of choice is Rummy from Monique Dillard's fab new book Fat Quarter Winners, published by C & T Publishing. The block is fairly complex, and is made up of 27 pieces. Don't panic. The block is very simple to construct, and I am going to walk you through a couple of techniques and tools that will make it easy.
This block utiliizes a technique called the "quick corner" method. This technique is totally beginner friendly. If you have ever made a "Snow Ball" block, this will be a method you may have used. Typically, you draw a diagonal line on a square of fabric, lay the square right sides together onto a larger square, and stitch. Later, you trim away the excess fabric. This is a wonderful method, and you can absolutely do it that way.
However, I am taking a small departure from the traditional method. Here is a Nicole Short Cut. Instead of drawing stitching lines on a gazillion squares, I use a tool called the "Angler Two". And I am going to show you how to use it.
If you have been following my blog for awhile, you may have noticed this thingy taped with blue painters tape to my sewing table and throat plate. It is a plastic guide that you position exactly in the proper position, that enables you to stitch a straight line without drawing any lines with your pen or marker. You need to tape it firmly in place so that it does not move a smidge while you are sewing. So here is how it works. Look carefully.
My needle is positioned at the top corner of the square. Notice at the bottom of the square, where the ripper is pointing, how the bottom corner of the square is lined up with the middle of the three lines on the plastic guide? I am going to start stitching, keeping my eye, not on the needle, but on keeping that bottom corner lined up precisely with the middle line on the plastic guide. Do not pay attention to what the needle is doing, just keep your eye on that bottom corner point, and move it evenly along as you sew.
Go on, go for it! Keep your eye on the position of that bottom corner point.
Ta da. Look what you did! You got to the end and didn't die.
You can even chain stitch multiple units.
Next, I used this quick corner method on some other units in the block.
Same deal. Are you wondering if the units are really accurate, and not wonky? Here is how you test it out. When you finish stitching, fold that corner back. Does it line up perfectly with your corner square? It should. The corner square below is folded back and meets the corner of the red rectangle dead on.
Since you really do not need three layers of fabric in this little unit, you now trim away the excess layers. Just use your scissors. Snip. Flip that corner square, and press open.
You can also use the Angler Two to make half square triangles, without drawing any lines on your squares. The technique is just the same, with a slight variation.
To make a 2 1/2" half square triangle unit, with the drawn line method, you would typically cut your squares 2 7/8". I like to make my squares 3", because I am going to trim them down after stitching–for greater accuracy. To get started, place the right sides of your squares together. Don't be sloppy, line 'em up just perfectly.
OK, here is what is different with the Angler technique when you make half square triangles. Notice that the upper corner tip is lined up 1/4" to the right of my sewing needle? The bottom corner tip is lined up with the right hand black line on the Angler Two guide. You sew in precisely the same way you did with the quick corner method, only you are using a different line as your guide. Watch the bottom corner as you stitch, keeping it right on that right hand line.
Sew all down the length of the square, then flip the units around and stitch the other side. Now line the needle one quarter inch to the left of that upper corner tip, and keep the bottom tip lined up with the right hand Angler stitching guide.
When you are finished, snip the squares in half down the middle of the two stitching lines. Just eye ball it, it will be fine. Try to stay in the middle when you cut, so you have approximately 1/4" seam allowances.
When I make half square triangles this way, I always make them a skosh bigger and trim them down to the perfect size. To do this, I use another tool, called The Precision Trimmer. This is a super handy ruler.
See the diagonal line below?
You are going to line that mark up exactly along the diagonal line of the half square triangle you just made.
Here's what it will look like when you position the ruler for trimming.
See the excess fabric peeking out from under the ruler? You need to trim it off. Flip your square and position it again and trim the other two sides.
And you've got yourself a dead-on perfect two and half inch half square triangle unit.
Hope you enjoyed learning about these two tools that I rely on frequently to quickly and accurately make my block units.
Check back with me tomorrow and see who won my 1000 blog post give away! And be sure to visit Monique's blog "Open Gate", to see her tutorial on Tuesday. You all are going to learn so much this week!
68 responses to “Fat Quarter Winners Book Tour- Week Two”
I just purchased the Angler Two and have used it just a few times. You are right–It is such a time saver! I always love a good tutorial and your’s was great!
I just purchased the Angler Two and have used it just a few times. You are right–It is such a time saver! I always love a good tutorial and your’s was great!
Great tutorials and now I need an Angler 2! Thanks for the great photos and explanations.
I’ve often used the “quick corner” method but what I learned to do before the SNIP (scissors), is to sew another seam toward the corner and 1/2″ from your first seam. SNIP halfway between the two stitching lines, and your corner triangles that were to be cut away and now half square triangle units! These are perfect for mini quilts and for the Alzheimer’s itty bitty quilts. They’re also cute!
Hugs!
Great tutorials and now I need an Angler 2! Thanks for the great photos and explanations.
I’ve often used the “quick corner” method but what I learned to do before the SNIP (scissors), is to sew another seam toward the corner and 1/2″ from your first seam. SNIP halfway between the two stitching lines, and your corner triangles that were to be cut away and now half square triangle units! These are perfect for mini quilts and for the Alzheimer’s itty bitty quilts. They’re also cute!
Hugs!
Oh, where is the edit function so I can fix a typo??
Make that “SNIP halfway between the two stitching lines, and your corner triangles that were to be cut away ARE now half square triangle units!”
🙂
Oh, where is the edit function so I can fix a typo??
Make that “SNIP halfway between the two stitching lines, and your corner triangles that were to be cut away ARE now half square triangle units!”
🙂
I love my angler device too. Now the squaring ruler has me intrigued
I love my angler device too. Now the squaring ruler has me intrigued
Thanks for a great tutorial – I must dig out my angler and use it the next time I am making blocks.
Thanks for a great tutorial – I must dig out my angler and use it the next time I am making blocks.
Thank you Nicole, another great tutorial and for the comment on my blog. The ruler I demoed really does make trimming half square triangles so much faster and easier and more accurate, I hope you will give one a try.
The angler tool is a great idea, another thing to my want list!
Thank you Nicole, another great tutorial and for the comment on my blog. The ruler I demoed really does make trimming half square triangles so much faster and easier and more accurate, I hope you will give one a try.
The angler tool is a great idea, another thing to my want list!
Great tutorial! Love The Angler! It really does make things so much easier!
Great tutorial! Love The Angler! It really does make things so much easier!
I have wondered about how the Angler worked, and didn’t really “get it” until this post. I don’t have one, but seem to be doing more quilts that require short corners or HSTs, and I do get tired of repeatedly drawing that line!
I have wondered about how the Angler worked, and didn’t really “get it” until this post. I don’t have one, but seem to be doing more quilts that require short corners or HSTs, and I do get tired of repeatedly drawing that line!
It’s so nice to know I’m doing it exactly right. I have the angler and love it. Thanks for a great tut on making a perfect hst!!
It’s so nice to know I’m doing it exactly right. I have the angler and love it. Thanks for a great tut on making a perfect hst!!
Nicole,
Great explanation…….and beautiful new pattern……can’t wait to see more.
Thanks
Nicole,
Great explanation…….and beautiful new pattern……can’t wait to see more.
Thanks
Oh boy! Another gizmo! I love gizmos 😀
Oh boy! Another gizmo! I love gizmos 😀
Thanks NIcole, I own the angler 2 and never could figure out how it was supposed to attatch to the sewing machine. I don’t remember anything in the directions that say tape it down. duh, I have owned it for a number of years and it sits unused in a drawer someplace. I will have to get out my tape and use it! sew simple! thanks again. Lizzie
Thanks NIcole, I own the angler 2 and never could figure out how it was supposed to attatch to the sewing machine. I don’t remember anything in the directions that say tape it down. duh, I have owned it for a number of years and it sits unused in a drawer someplace. I will have to get out my tape and use it! sew simple! thanks again. Lizzie
Oh I was so hoping you’d talk about hte Angler with this because I have an issue using mine and I want to get past it so I can make some of these fabulous quilts (and some of the Kim Brackett ones and snowball ones and on and on) I’m beginning to get friendlier with my Angler II but I still have an issue with the first corner in. The last one I can keep on the line no problem but the first corner in I never seem to hit the same place twice. Sometimes I’m right on the corner, sometimes not. As always the best fix is to slow down and watch what I’m doing more carefully 🙂 But do you have any other tidbits of advice?
Oh I was so hoping you’d talk about hte Angler with this because I have an issue using mine and I want to get past it so I can make some of these fabulous quilts (and some of the Kim Brackett ones and snowball ones and on and on) I’m beginning to get friendlier with my Angler II but I still have an issue with the first corner in. The last one I can keep on the line no problem but the first corner in I never seem to hit the same place twice. Sometimes I’m right on the corner, sometimes not. As always the best fix is to slow down and watch what I’m doing more carefully 🙂 But do you have any other tidbits of advice?
Good tutorial. I love my angler too – everybody should have one! Your piecing must be perfect!
Good tutorial. I love my angler too – everybody should have one! Your piecing must be perfect!
Thanks for the tutorial!! Love it!
P
Thanks for the tutorial!! Love it!
P
I am loving that block and very excited about the quilt your working one. It’s going to be so wonderful! I know you are not affiliated with The Angler company so I’m going to make another recomendation (I hope you don’t mind)…
I used to own the Angler (still have it some place) but I found that the whole taping it onto the machine was a pain for those of us that have the drop in bobbin. Everytime I had to change the bobbin I had to pull it all apart. I was at a quilt show one day and at the Bernina booth there was a lady that had a similar device on the extension table of a machine. It was a film that stuck to the clear table and could peeled off like vinyl. It’s called Clearly Perfect Angles by New Leaf Stitches (no affiliation at all – just a very happy customer). Now, when I run out of bobbin I just peel the front of the film up, make the change and then lay it back down. Soo easy and time saving.
For those that don’t have a little extension table… Do a Macgyver and use a 1/2″ of masking tape. I had to resort to this once when I was at a retreat and had forgotten my extension table with my Clearly Perfect Angle tool. I drew a line down the center of the 1/2″ tape and trimed it so I could use the edges or the center line to make my HST.
Here is the blog post so you can check out the pictures of my Macgyver moment…
http://textilehouse.blogspot.com/2010/01/retreat-and-finish.html
I am loving that block and very excited about the quilt your working one. It’s going to be so wonderful! I know you are not affiliated with The Angler company so I’m going to make another recomendation (I hope you don’t mind)…
I used to own the Angler (still have it some place) but I found that the whole taping it onto the machine was a pain for those of us that have the drop in bobbin. Everytime I had to change the bobbin I had to pull it all apart. I was at a quilt show one day and at the Bernina booth there was a lady that had a similar device on the extension table of a machine. It was a film that stuck to the clear table and could peeled off like vinyl. It’s called Clearly Perfect Angles by New Leaf Stitches (no affiliation at all – just a very happy customer). Now, when I run out of bobbin I just peel the front of the film up, make the change and then lay it back down. Soo easy and time saving.
For those that don’t have a little extension table… Do a Macgyver and use a 1/2″ of masking tape. I had to resort to this once when I was at a retreat and had forgotten my extension table with my Clearly Perfect Angle tool. I drew a line down the center of the 1/2″ tape and trimed it so I could use the edges or the center line to make my HST.
Here is the blog post so you can check out the pictures of my Macgyver moment…
http://textilehouse.blogspot.com/2010/01/retreat-and-finish.html
Thanks for the great tutorial. My quilting instructor (from whom I took my beginner sampler class) had one of those on her machine. It was a little too expensive for me, but I can definitely see the advantages!
Thanks for the great tutorial. My quilting instructor (from whom I took my beginner sampler class) had one of those on her machine. It was a little too expensive for me, but I can definitely see the advantages!
Case in point. This is why we love your blog. We always learn something useful and you explain it so well. I keep saying, you should teach at a quilt shop!!
Case in point. This is why we love your blog. We always learn something useful and you explain it so well. I keep saying, you should teach at a quilt shop!!
Thanks for the tutorial. I have one of those plastic sheets and have yet to use it. Maybe this will spur me on.
Thanks for the tutorial. I have one of those plastic sheets and have yet to use it. Maybe this will spur me on.
Great tutorial, Nicole! I’ve not seen that square-up ruler – I think it’s begging to be added to my gadget collection!
Cheers!
Great tutorial, Nicole! I’ve not seen that square-up ruler – I think it’s begging to be added to my gadget collection!
Cheers!
Great tutorial Nicole. I would love to have an Angler but my machine base is curved just enough that it prevents me from using it. I’m thinking maybe I could use a wide strip of the blue ‘Painters Tape’ and draw the three lines I need for your method. It won’t look great but I’m hoping it will do the job because your method would be such a time saver!
I love your fabric choices too, just gorgeous!
Great tutorial Nicole. I would love to have an Angler but my machine base is curved just enough that it prevents me from using it. I’m thinking maybe I could use a wide strip of the blue ‘Painters Tape’ and draw the three lines I need for your method. It won’t look great but I’m hoping it will do the job because your method would be such a time saver!
I love your fabric choices too, just gorgeous!
AWESOME!! Now where do I find these two tools??!! ;0
AWESOME!! Now where do I find these two tools??!! ;0
I have the Precision Trimmer 6″ block ruler and really like it! The markings are very simple and is easier to use for trimming than the ruler I use for cutting.
I have the Precision Trimmer 6″ block ruler and really like it! The markings are very simple and is easier to use for trimming than the ruler I use for cutting.
Great post! Thanks for all the info!~ I love your block~ your quilt is going to be gorgeous! Have a happy day!
Great post! Thanks for all the info!~ I love your block~ your quilt is going to be gorgeous! Have a happy day!
It’s been so long since I’ve worked on any quilts! My heart is drawn to making some and I think I’d better check my supplies and go shopping! Thank you for the tutorial and for the info about the tools you used. Wish I could head to the quilt shop right now. It will have to wait for another day or two. Thanks for the inspiration.
~Adrienne~
It’s been so long since I’ve worked on any quilts! My heart is drawn to making some and I think I’d better check my supplies and go shopping! Thank you for the tutorial and for the info about the tools you used. Wish I could head to the quilt shop right now. It will have to wait for another day or two. Thanks for the inspiration.
~Adrienne~
I love my Angler 2. I’m looking to purchase another one for my travel machine. I have the clear plastic one (can’t remember the name) but prefer the Angler. Great tutorial!
I love my Angler 2. I’m looking to purchase another one for my travel machine. I have the clear plastic one (can’t remember the name) but prefer the Angler. Great tutorial!
thank you so much!! I’m going to source one of those angler tools :))
Sharon in Sydney Australia
thank you so much!! I’m going to source one of those angler tools :))
Sharon in Sydney Australia
Loved the tutorial today, Nicole. You explained it all very well – easy to follow.
I have the Angler but have never used it. May get it out now and give it a try.
Loved the tutorial today, Nicole. You explained it all very well – easy to follow.
I have the Angler but have never used it. May get it out now and give it a try.
I have the angler tool and love it! The irony is just this weekend one of my quilt friends was showing me the Precision Trimmer. She held it in high regards as she shared her personal success with this tool! Hmmm…this might just become a “Have-to-Have” tool! 🙂
I have the angler tool and love it! The irony is just this weekend one of my quilt friends was showing me the Precision Trimmer. She held it in high regards as she shared her personal success with this tool! Hmmm…this might just become a “Have-to-Have” tool! 🙂
Great Job on the Angler 2 Tutorial. About a year ago I put that template on my machine and couldn’t figure it out. I looked at a couple tutorials, still couldn’t figure it out….for some reason it makes perfect sense today. I”ll give it another try!
Great Job on the Angler 2 Tutorial. About a year ago I put that template on my machine and couldn’t figure it out. I looked at a couple tutorials, still couldn’t figure it out….for some reason it makes perfect sense today. I”ll give it another try!
So THAT”S how you use the angler! Great tutorial Nicole and thanks so much! I may just try mine out again..I’ve had it for 6 years now lol!
So THAT”S how you use the angler! Great tutorial Nicole and thanks so much! I may just try mine out again..I’ve had it for 6 years now lol!
Thanks for the great tutorial. I really like the Precision Trimmer.
Thanks for the great tutorial. I really like the Precision Trimmer.
Thanks Nicole for showing us how to use the angler. I have one but never could understand how to use it.Your pictures were a great help too! Next, I need to buy the trimmer ruler….Bonnie in Tx.
Thanks Nicole for showing us how to use the angler. I have one but never could understand how to use it.Your pictures were a great help too! Next, I need to buy the trimmer ruler….Bonnie in Tx.
This seems to be a very useful tool – how would it work if the machine is a top front loading bobbin on top of a table rather than set in?
This seems to be a very useful tool – how would it work if the machine is a top front loading bobbin on top of a table rather than set in?