Embrace Accuracy!

Quarantine time = quilting time.  Since I have some free time at home, I thought I'd do a post about a new quilt project that I started yesterday.  I have finished up a couple of UFOs, so I gave myself permission to start something new, and I think it's really going to be pretty.  Six blocks down, fourteen more to go!

I'm working with some charm packs of the fabric line Canyon by Kate Spain (one of my favorite designers).  I paired those up with some solid background and sashing fabrics.  The pattern is "Love Letter" from the Charm School book written by Vanessa Goertzen.  If you are a charm pack collector, you need to check out this book!  I'm also making great use of my Creative Grids Half Square 4-in-1 Triangle Ruler to make the quarter square units in these blocks.  I thought I'd share how I am doing that.

The first step is making half square triangles, where you draw a line diagonally across a square, pair it up with another square right sides together, and stitch 1/4" away on each side of the drawn line.  This is a familiar technique, but I found that I would rather draw a line down each side, 1/4" from the center, and stitch on the line.  I find this to be much more accurate and easier to keep the stitching line straight.  No matter how many clever quilting tools you have to use, sewing a straight line is key!

Cut down the center between the drawn lines.  I pressed toward the green background triangle.

On the back of one of the new half square triangles repeat the line drawing process as you can see above.  Pair it with the other new half square triangle right sides together, being sure that the opposite colors are facing each other.  The pressed seams should be going opposite directions also and need to be "nested" very snugly together.  This is what makes the center of the unit come together crisply.  Stitch on the lines and cut down the middle again.

I pressed this seam open.

Trimming with the Half Square 4-in-1 Triangle Ruler worked out great.  There are lines to match up on both diagonal seams, and I calculated what should be the center point (this would vary depending on the size of the unit you need to make).  Trim on the first two sides, turn the fabric  and trim on the last two sides.  Perfect!

A phrase that can be heard a lot in the quilting world today is "finished is better than perfect."  In many ways that is true, and most quilts don't need to be perfect.  Quilting should be enjoyable!  I find that accuracy in piecing makes it more fun!  It is very stressful, I think, when you are trying to make a block and the units are not consistent sizes or wonky, and then you have to try and fit them - dare I say stretch them - to make everything go together.  Wonky-shaped blocks usually make for an even more wonky, non-flat quilt top.  That's one of the main reasons I personally love working with Creative Grids products.  There are so many tools available for quilters in the world today.  Find what helps you make cutting and stitching as accurate as possible and enjoy the process! 

I wish everyone good health, and please make safe choices for yourself and the people around you.  Happy quilting!