One of the most wonderful things about my job these days is all the wonderful fabric I get to play with. Recently, I've been playing with Art Gallery Fabrics by Patricia Bravo. I just love the peaceful palettes and sophisticated patterns. In fact, I finished one project using them, and loved them so much that I decided my book needed a "companion" project to the one I had just finished.

 

A couple days ago, I emailed Patricia to tell her how much fun I was having using her designs... and to my complete surprise, she called me to tell me thank you. Yes, people. The actual telephone. Now that's nice. I didn't get a chance to meet Patricia at either of the fabric markets I went to, so I'm looking forward to meeting her in person this time. 

If you don't already know about her work (I'd be surprised if you didn't), you've got to visit her. I loooove her website and blog. Make sure you check it out!

 

On another note, in regards to the picture above... see the half square triangles? This has become a whole debate I'm having with myself about how these directions should be written. I've heard four hundred thousand (ok, 2) different takes on how quilters like to do them. So, I'm taking a survey, quilters.

This is a multiple part question... 

Tell me, do you like cutting your squares at 7/8" larger than the desired finished size, or do you cut up an entire inch and trim? And why?

Also, do you do the "Sandwich" method of sewing them together (ie one square on top of the other right sides together, draw a line corner to corner on the diagonal center and then a line 1/4" to either side of center, sew on the quarter inch lines and cut up the center giving you two finished squares in one shot.) OR do you cut the triangles and then sew on the bias? And why?

And, did you just understand what I said, or am I speaking Greek? 

Thanks guys!