Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Penny Pincher

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New Year, new project.  I love the name of this pattern, as it sums up my goal for a frugal January. "Penny Pincher" by Primitive Gatherings.  I have a beautiful new bundle of fat quarters, also by Primitive Gatherings, so I think I am ready to launch into something new.  The colors in the fabric collection are bright and cheerful, and the pattern is just one simple Square in a Square block repeated 160 some odd times.

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I made a couple of test blocks and they came out great, finishing at 7 1/2 inches.  The units are cut slightly oversized and are trimmed down after each round.  You get the most perfect blocks with this technique.  My dilemma is trying to decide which trim ruler to use.

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One is Nancy Martin's Bias Square ruler, and the other is Monique Dillard's Fit to be Square.  They both work great, but I do like the way you can nestle the Fit to be Square right up under your seam allowance for the perfect quarter inch seam.  Those diagonal lines also really help get your block perfectly squared up. The number markings are a bit clearer on the Bias Square ruler though.  Do any of you have a favorite ruler for trimming Square in a Square blocks?

30 responses to “Penny Pincher”

  1. Fit To Be Square is my go-to ruler. However, I haven’t used the Bias Square ruler, so can’t give you a comparison. ‘Penny Pincher’ looks like a great project to start the New Year!

  2. Fit To Be Square is my go-to ruler. However, I haven’t used the Bias Square ruler, so can’t give you a comparison. ‘Penny Pincher’ looks like a great project to start the New Year!

  3. Fit To Be Square is my go-to ruler. However, I haven’t used the Bias Square ruler, so can’t give you a comparison. ‘Penny Pincher’ looks like a great project to start the New Year!

  4. I use the bias square ruler. The Fit To Be Square looks interesting but I think I’d need a tutorial in how to use it. It looks a little complicated.

  5. I use the bias square ruler. The Fit To Be Square looks interesting but I think I’d need a tutorial in how to use it. It looks a little complicated.

  6. I use the bias square ruler. The Fit To Be Square looks interesting but I think I’d need a tutorial in how to use it. It looks a little complicated.

  7. I only have the Bias Square ruler and it works for me. Cute Pattern and I love the fabric. I finished a UFO yesterday. YAHOO! Cross it off on the list.
    Mary

  8. I only have the Bias Square ruler and it works for me. Cute Pattern and I love the fabric. I finished a UFO yesterday. YAHOO! Cross it off on the list.
    Mary

  9. I only have the Bias Square ruler and it works for me. Cute Pattern and I love the fabric. I finished a UFO yesterday. YAHOO! Cross it off on the list.
    Mary

  10. I use a Deb Tucker Studio 180 ruler. I think it is the Square Squared
    Ruler. Great results.

  11. I use a Deb Tucker Studio 180 ruler. I think it is the Square Squared
    Ruler. Great results.

  12. I use a Deb Tucker Studio 180 ruler. I think it is the Square Squared
    Ruler. Great results.

  16. I have a Bias Square ruler but I honestly never use it. I’m always using my Omnigrip 8.5″ x 12″ ruler and I love that I can use it for almost all blocks.
    The pattern looks great but 160 blocks? I’m glad that I just finished my 12 log cabin blocks for a swap (they finish at 20.5″ square and man that’s big).

  17. I have a Bias Square ruler but I honestly never use it. I’m always using my Omnigrip 8.5″ x 12″ ruler and I love that I can use it for almost all blocks.
    The pattern looks great but 160 blocks? I’m glad that I just finished my 12 log cabin blocks for a swap (they finish at 20.5″ square and man that’s big).

  18. I have a Bias Square ruler but I honestly never use it. I’m always using my Omnigrip 8.5″ x 12″ ruler and I love that I can use it for almost all blocks.
    The pattern looks great but 160 blocks? I’m glad that I just finished my 12 log cabin blocks for a swap (they finish at 20.5″ square and man that’s big).

  19. I don’t have a square in a square ruler, Nicole. This is a great quilt and fabric!
    I decided on 6 books, btw. Thanks for all your recommendations.

  20. I don’t have a square in a square ruler, Nicole. This is a great quilt and fabric!
    I decided on 6 books, btw. Thanks for all your recommendations.

  21. I don’t have a square in a square ruler, Nicole. This is a great quilt and fabric!
    I decided on 6 books, btw. Thanks for all your recommendations.

  22. I like the simplicity of this project. The block has pleasing structure that complements the fabric. The fact that you have two rulers to choose from may be helpful if one is easier to see on some of the darkest pieces.

  23. I like the simplicity of this project. The block has pleasing structure that complements the fabric. The fact that you have two rulers to choose from may be helpful if one is easier to see on some of the darkest pieces.

  24. I like the simplicity of this project. The block has pleasing structure that complements the fabric. The fact that you have two rulers to choose from may be helpful if one is easier to see on some of the darkest pieces.

  25. I love making square in a square blocks. This is going to be a good looking quilt!

  26. I love making square in a square blocks. This is going to be a good looking quilt!

  27. I love making square in a square blocks. This is going to be a good looking quilt!