Sunday, September 30, 2007

Friday and Saturday Progress

Friday night was great. The evening went just as I had predicted to my assistant at 4 PM. I was going to have a steak dinner, watch the Red Sox win and the Yankees lose and work on the binding of my Wicked Girly Quilt. All of that happened and now the Red Sox have won the AL East Division. Hooray!

I spent a lot of time in my quilt studio yesterday. The first project of the day was to make 2 inch HSTs using Thangles. I've never used Thangles before and all I can say is I love them! I think I've used all the other methods of making HSTs. One of first entries in this blog included my thoughts on HSTs. If I knew then what I knew then about Thangles that entry would have been different. I find with Thangles there is minimal fabric waste, and you only need to trim one dog ear off and I was able to trim 8 dog ears at one. A very slick process. The only downfall of Thangles is that the LQS close to my house doesn't sell them. But, nearly all of the shops I am visiting next week on our shop hop carries them and I may just stock up on one package in every size. Here's some of the HSTs I made.

The rest of them became parts of 4-patches that will eventually become butterfly blocks for the baby quilt I'm making. I couldn't finish the baby quilt because I need to buy 4 inch Thangles next week.


Since I was in an HST mood I finished trimming 132 1 inch HSTs for my Ugly Fabric Challenge. Gee, I don't think the fabrics look so ugly in a pile like this. Do you think I could call the project done? Nope, I've got big plans for these tiny HSTs.

I started to look for the project bag for the Ugly Fabric Challenge and came across a bag of 32 2.5 inch strips I bought at Keepsake Quilting on my shop hop this past spring. Suddenly I decided I wanted to to try the Strip Cocktail pattern I had. The pattern itself is easy. I had the top put together in a couple hours, but I was disappointed in the package of strips. There were quite a number of the strips that were cut smaller than 2.5 inches. I noticed it when I started sewing and thought I had used all of the strips that were correct. However I missed one strip and didn't realize it until I put all the rows together. So now the top is a little wavy and I will have to trim the sides down to make it work. I decided to call this quilt Singapore Blues. Since I was missing DH yesterday while he was flying to Singapore.

Today will be a day spent doing stitchery projects. Football is on and I won't be caught in my sewing room during a football game. DS and DIL will be here so it will be fun afternoon. I may also start working on my shop hop list for next weekend. I did this the last time I went on a shop hop and it worked well.

Have a great Sunday!

20 comments:

Becky said...

There is a program for sale called triangulations that lets you print papers for hst and quarter square triangles right from your printer. Much better than searching for the right size and more economical over the long run.

Kim said...

Congrats on your AL East Division win !!!!!! Good luck with the Angels-your first round playoff.

I so want to watch the Mets this afternoon to see if Glavine can win his last game - rumor has it he's going back to Atlanta next year :(
But hubby is taking me to the quilt show instead VBG. Of course there's not much I can even think of buying except some 30's fqs for cathedral windows but I never ever turn down the chance of spending his money at a quilt show....lol.
Enjoy your Sunday :)

~Bren~ said...

My friend has the computer program for the triangles...she LOVES it!

Our beloved Cubbies won their division too!!!

Granny said...

I'll admit I've never tried Thangles but you have me wanting to rush out and buy some. Hope you have a great Sunday too.

Solstitches said...

Ugh, I hate doing HST's. I'm a beginner quilter and have only ever tried the third method that you mentioned in your previous post.
I think I need to buy me some thangles or, better yet, just stick to log cabins and nine patch maybe?
Glad to hear the right team is winning.
Enjoy your sewing weekend.
Margaret

Sewbaby said...

Great Progress. I too did some work in my sewing room...CLEANING! Still at it...will be for a long, long time...smile.
Glad you had a really productive two days.

Gail said...

Sounds like your 3 weeks got off to a good start. You have made some great progress, and when they are so small, ugly fabrics look less ugleeee.

Meredith said...

Congrats on a productive weekend. I enjoy a steak dinner also. I ue thangles and they work fine. It is nice mindless sewing.

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

All sports winners this weekend!
Well done on all that sewing! I don't think the uglies look too bad at all!
Out of interest, drop me a line with how much you pay for Country threads over there, I would be very intersted after seeing how much it cost me to mail one to the uS recently, Tracey

Wendy said...

Very productive day you had. I haven't tried the thangles yet. Looks like we'll see more from you on HST's.

Clare said...

Love Singapore Blues. Don't know why you called it that as those colours really do sing.

Rose Johnston said...

Wow ur weekend was productive!!! Good for u, it feels good!!

Quilter Kathy said...

My goodness...you have been busy!
I enjoy using Thangles too. I have a project on my 'to-do'list that will have me digging them out. When I see them at a LQS I stock up on all the sizs.

Beth said...

I'm with Becky.I LOVE my Triangulations! Never know when you will need a sheet of HST paper at 2am...in a size they dont' make in Thangles! I scored one on sale at a quilt shop for $10! a TREASURE!

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Jeanne said...

Congrats to the Red Sox! Enjoy the post season. I'll be rooting against the Yankees. :-)

swooze said...

Have you tried TOARs? Triangles on a roll? I like working with those. I haven't tried thangles yet.

His Office, My Studio said...

WOW, you got a lot done.

Good luck Red Soxs!

Maybe the world Series will be the Red Soxs and Cubs.

Helen said...

Just visited chooky blue's blog and saw your photos. Is it really winter already in your part of the world?
Like me, you had a productive weekend. Happy stitching.

Finn said...

Hi Sweet Pea, interesting that you are just trying the Thangles. I have had a page laying here for years and years, and have yet to try them...but you give me courage, and I WILL!
Funny, how we resist new ideas sometimes. Like your strip project, but how sad some were too narrow. Buyer beware I guess. I leave you with a hug and a Go Sox! Hugs, Finn