bloc loc template

Straightening my sewing table, I found this little pile of pieces for my peaks and valley blocks or triangles in a square. I realized that I haven't sewn with these for awhile, and, I wanted to visit with them again. It looks like I was trying to make matches, and left them before I was finished.

 I am using a bloc loc template set that I bought awhile ago. more about the template here. I like using it, and the results are very accurate. The finished piece is 2 1/12 inches.

I sewed through a few of my kitted sets, trimmed, and combined them as webbed 9 patches

I used the webbed 9 patches as leader/enders for the next couple of days, and had stars made.

I am linking:

Monday Making

design wall monday 

oh scrap

main crush monday

templates

I've decided, the problem with templates, and why they stay in a drawer, is that they are not quilt patterns. And quilt patterns are so much easier to make. All the thinking has already been done, and my favorite part - the mindless sewing - is sooner. When I want to start something new, I look through my patterns and books, online, magazines, or what my friends are doing. I say ooo I like that one, and I am off to the races (quilting). But, I've noticed, a new tool or template interests me more than fabric anymore.
Like this new Block of the month

or this medallion quilt along at em's scrapbag

or the temecula church window quilt along

That is why I am challenging myself to open the drawer and use templates I own but don't use. What is in your drawer? hmmm?

I have no idea what to do with these adorable blocks. But I do like making them.

But, I am cutting them from every little scrap I find. At some point I will have to decide if I have a balance of light and darks, centers and points.

I am linking to:
Free Motion by the River

to do tuesday

chameleon color linky

Oh scrap

more triangle in a square (s)

Clue #4  has been released for En Provence, a Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt. She releases each new clue on Fridays. I didn't get a chance to start cutting until late Saturday.

I cut all the bright pieces, and most of the civil war centers. In odd moments I chain pieced one side.

pressed them

and added the second side

and presto changeo

all done!

 A few years ago, Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville had mentioned that she often cuts scraps into 10 in squares or strips to use for backs. They are an easy size to piece, and then the math is easy to figure  how many are needed. I have a box of those that I had cut, but I've never used them. I suppose I wanted them to match a little. They are mostly older very scrappy fabrics, I was not in love with anymore.
Working on Peter's log cabin quilt, I needed just a little bit more than the flannel back I had chosen, so I grabbed some blue ones and it was very easy to work them into a useable strip, and 8 of them would be long enough.

And I made his binding. And it is on the frame.

 Christmas here we come....

I am linking to:

Making Monday

Moving it Forward Monday 

 Patchwork Times

Main Crush Monday

Quiltville

A new Mystery clue - En Provence

The Triangle in a square quilt block (aka 'Spikey and Peak') is a good old fashioned quilt block made so much easier over the years with new templates and tools.

Probably for the most accurate piecing, using a paper foundation would be the best.

Cake stand quilts has a great tutorial for using a whole square foundation and adding the wing triangles in a sew and flip method.

If you want to make your own template, this link will help.

I had really good results with Studio 180 V block trimmer when doing celtic solstice. She has you make it bigger and then trim down - bummer but nice finished block.

And Bonnie Hunter has a method using her new essential triangle tool which is a combination of Sharon Hultgren's easy triangle tool and companion angle. BTW my easy angle and companion angle tool still have her name on them as I bought them from her at a trade show when she first designed them in the 90s. We still owe her a debt of gratitude for introducing these great tools.
I am anxious to take Bonnie's tool for a test drive but not yet. This block and I have not been friends yet.
so

my wish for a way to cut these out..... Accuquilt studio die, but alas it is 95.00 and not on sale. It was on sale last week but not this week. sigh....

But this is what I have. I said earlier when you go big it's hard to go back. But I own it, and it mostly works. And I can buy a lot of fabric for 95.00.

 

So my progress of En Provence  and clue #1-

I have all 221 neutral 4 patches for the bright colorway and all 221 neutral 4 patches for the civil war colorway done.  and in their little homes.

For Clue #2, I have all of the bright colorway triangle in a squares cut out of a variety of neutrals and my magenta.

And I made a mess ( creative mess yes?)

and half of them sewn together to test if I can be accurate with the die cut pieces. Not bad if I don't get in a hurry.

I am keeping up so far. hooray

I am linking to:

Making Monday

Moving it Forward Monday 

 Patchwork Times

Main Crush Monday

Quiltville