My Favorite Way to HST's (16 at at time)

 

Hey all my Spinning Wheelers! 

I hope I have not put you all in the loonie bin with the amount of HST's in this project

I promise the end result is so worth it.

There is no time line so work at your own pace!

I thought I would share my favorite way to do HST's for this project. 

I just discovered it.

I was doing mostly 32 at time 

but 

I found this method makes them nearly perfect with a whole lot less squaring up! 

Start with 2 - 6.5" squares

A dark and a light  with right sides together. 

Draw you line down the center on the light square  at 3.25" both ways.

Then you will stitch around the entire square and on both sides of the center lines. 

When stitched - cut diagonally both ways and down the center both ways. 

I like to use my little rotary cutter and nip the corners off each HST

Then press to the dark side! 

No need to square up....Perfect 2" HST's!!!

I think you are going to love this method! 

Now back to regularly scheduled chain piecing...

Christa 

Second Story Quilting





 

Spinning Wheel QAL - Construction Time -

 I hope you are not stir crazy with the amount of HST's in this quilt!

Hope you are taking your time and enjoying the process!

There is no rush! 

The info will always be right here! 

The road might seem long but there is an end in sight!!

It's about the journey....

I cut all my other pieces in the pattern

and

using my trusty Press and Seal,

 they are corralled in my trays.

I am the kind of quilter who likes to see some progress from all this work.

To switch it up, I made up a bunch of block components.

I line up my pieces needed for this component like this 

As you know, I am a fan of chain piecing

I like to stitch both sections of the block, one after the other

I make sure that there is a different HST on each block

I will do quite a few of them and cut them apart in sections of two 

To make nesting seams easier,

 I like to press one half to the left and the other to the right.

I absolutely love using Flatter Spray Starch by SoakWash

It makes all these seams lay flat as can be!

Spinning your seams really helps,too!

Check out this quick little video on how to do that

Spinning Seams

Just love a perfect little square in the center on the back

Stock piling my components....

I could not resist putting a completed block together

I laid out each component as per instructions around a wonky star

Sewed them all up....

Doing the same for the second row of components, 

Voila....

One VERY large block completed

24.5" x 24.5"

Only 8 more to go!

Patience Grasshopper....we are getting there!

Christa 

2SQ

32 Hst's

 Now here is a method to make multiply HST's

but

it does involve a bit of marking!

Start with 2 - 10" squares

(one light and one dark)

with right sides together,

mark the half way line(5") going both ways. on the light square

Next - Mark a line corner to corner in both directions

next mark a line from center line to center line diagonally

Now you are ready to sew!

These dotted lines are where you will sew 1/4" along the solid lines 

EXCEPT

 the two center lines!

When all lines are sewn you can start the cutting process

Cut down the two center lines

Then corner to corner on each square

Then in half both ways on each quadrant!

This yields 32 HST's at a time

Press the HST's to the dark side!

In case that was as clear as mud...

Here is a little video!

We are not far from putting some components together! 

Till next week....

Christa 

2SQ

Ps. you can find the kit at the link below!

Spinning Wheels Quilt Kit

Spinning Wheels QAL- Wonky Stars

 Thank you so  much for joining the QAL!

We are going to make 1416 - 1.5"(finished) Half square triangles

and  

9 Wonky Stars!

Each block will be 24.5" block!

YOU CAN DO THIS, PEEPS!

I hope you have had time to play with your fabrics! 

Weather you are doing scrappy or planned, it will be beautiful.

I hope you learn some new things along the way! 

If you choose to follow that pattern - More power to you!! 

If you are following along using your own stash, 

I can't wait to see it as well! 

This is the perfect opportunity to explore different ways to make HSTS.

So hold off cutting up all your fabrics! 

There is a ton of fabrics so lots of choices! 

I thought we should start with the The WONKY STAR

If you have ever done a Buggy Barn Pattern, 

you'll be fine! 

But if you haven't.... 

get ready for a little ride! 

Just kidding!!

 It's definitely not your tradition block making techniques! 

So let's get started!! 

Pick your favorite 9 fabrics to make your stars with some contrast.

You will need 9 - 10.5" squares. 

I used only the darks as my selections

 but

 you can use lights as well. 

Just try to get some good contrast!

Each Star will have 3 different fabrics.

The center, the star points and the background will each be one color. 

I also like to spray starch my fabrics as there is a lot of bias in all these blocks.

Using the 6" wonky star template, trace onto your freezer paper or Press and Seal.

I like to use Press and Seal a lot in my quilting.

I use it to wrap my pieces in trays till I am ready to assemble. 

It is see through and sticks again and again.

Put a piece of Press and Seal on your 6.5' template and trace. 

Make sure to exaggerate the dots on the pattern as they are references.

Those will guide you in sewing these pieces back together. 

Layer your nine squares on top of each other with the traced template on top.

Cut into sections - D, C, B then A.

We will start with section A.

Cut that section into separate pieces. 

I have a few of these stacking trays from the dollar store

 which I use to keep pieces organizes.

Paper plates stacked work very well, too.

A rotating cutting mat can be really handy for this project, too!

(but not necessary)

I also love to chain piece my blocks. 

I sewed all A1 and A2 together 

and

 pressed the seams as per instructions, 

using spray starch just to keep things straight

then A3...then A4

Do not panic when pieces don't line up like you think they should.

You will need to square up as you go with each section. 

It seems wrong but just push through....it will work out.

Using the dots to line up your sections as you add each section. 

Continue to do each section and add on...

Complete 9 Wonky Stars. 

I used my 6.5" square ruler, 

making sure to have at least 1/4' seam away from each point on the star.

8 to go....

And voila.....

Ok...

maybe a few dates with Jack the Ripper...

Now back to regular quilt block construction!  

If you have any questions or concerns, 

get a hold of me....I'll talk you off the wall!! lol

You can do this!

If you are interested in joining us,

 get your kit HERE

Christa