Fabric Love & Survey Says

 

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!

Comments

[SarahB]

1.

I've done both but like to just go up the full 1" and trim, just in case I mess up my 1/4" seam a bit. That way I can be sure it's perfectly square and just the right size.

I prefer to use the sandwich method, mainly because it is easier for me to line up the pieces as squares.

[Lola...again]

2.

I've been lucky enough to meet Patricia at the last 2 markets. She, and her husband are 2 of the nicest people on the planet. I am in love with her fabric too!

[Kathy Spilsbury]

3.

I do the 7/8 and I do the sandwich.
Why? 7/8 gives me the EXACT squared size I want when done.
Why on the sandwich? Anytime I can AVOID sewing bias to bias I do. Makes for a smoother, flater finished product and is actually FASTER I think. (Its trimming all those pesky little v's off after pressing open the sqaures thats a pain.)

[bari]

4.

That's nice to hear. That's what I've been doing. I have no luck with cutting larger. And cutting at 7/8" as long as I'm using my 1/4" foot creates such perfect points. The sandwich rocks for me too.

Funny what I get excited about these days. :)

[Sivje]

5.

Ok, not a quilter so I am not sure what you were talking about, but I hear Greek on a daily basis and it wasn't that either.
BUT it sure looks pretty! I can't wait to see what it will be. But I know it will be fabulous.

But the thing that stuck out to me was the statement, "One of the most wonderful things about my job these days is all the wonderful fabric I get to play with." I just think it is wonderful to have a job doing something you love so much. I just got to that place too and it is wonderful!

[Melody]

6.

I do the 7/8 because I am pretty accurate and I cut and then stitch for the same reason. I let the machine do the work and have not experienced stretching or deforming the HST's. I heart bias. It probably helps that I iron and use sizing to give the fabric extra body before cutting. Oh and I do not prewash.

[Kirie]

7.

I am with the 7/8 inch measurement and the sandwich method, too. I get a much more accurate result, and I can speed piece sets more efficiently that way.

By the way, I love that fabric! I'm eager to see what beautiful project you're working on with it...

Kir

[andrea]

8.

Thanks for the links to Patricia's inspiring blog and website.I love the color palette.
As for the quilting methods-sorry I don't 'officially' quilt,yet ;)-wish I could help.

[Sarah Vee]

9.

Bari I like the 7/8 method because it's quicker (for me). I have been making a queen size Lady of the Lake - LOTS of HSTs! If you cut precisely, sandwich and get that line perfect, sew each one the same, it's perfect! I recently tried the 'add an inch and trim' method. I'm not a trimmer! I didn't like having to square up.
Hope your mini survey helps you. I love Patricia's fabric too. Thanks for sharing.

[Kathryn]

10.

I understood, your speaking "quilt" not "greek"
I do the 7/8, and trim. I also do the sandwich thing and wouldn't dream of doing it any other way.

[Deb C]

11.

Wow, you're at about 50/50 with the preferences on the half-squares. My preference is the layer method using Thangles because then I don't have to take for-ev-er drawing lines on all the squares. I'll deal with the ripping of the papers later! Having said that, my second choice would be to also make the squares bigger and cut them down. I dunno. Mine NEVER come out big enough and sometimes they press out of shape. One big tip I have for anyone though is to first iron all your fabrics with Best Press before doing any sewing. It does help tremendously with any issues of wonkiness later down the line, as the starch is now in there.

[Amy Rochelle]

12.

I like to size up by 1" and sandwich. I find it really helps to increase my accuracy. Of late I've been making Jo Morton quilts, and the blocks are TINY! This method really helps to keep the blocks accurate - and when there is a long run of small blocks, plus/minus an eighth of an inch on each block can really add up! (Love the fabric, btw!)

[Lori Porten]

13.

For me, it's the sandwich method. It's just the most simple, least tedious way to do it in my opinion!

[badlands quilts]

14.

I like the sandwich(then cut down center)cutting larger and trimming... I just tried to not trim on a project and nothing looked very straight to the world

[Diane]

15.

I ALWAYS oversize and do the sandwich method -- much easier and accurate. I do not like dealing with bias edges if I can help it.

[jaybird]

16.

no trimming... and make two at once.. and i never really have issues... ;-) not greek to me!

[Jessica Levitt]

17.

Hey girl. I definitely only do 7/8" b/c going back to trim sucks. And i don't bother to trim the little"dogears" or whatever you call them. I taought them in a class and the one woman who decided to go back and trim, really regretted it. And I definitely sew the squares and cut down the middle later. Cutting on the bias first leaves so much room for errot. But, if I'm really going to make a bunch of them, I definitely use the triangles on a roll. Saves so much time!

[mj]

18.

No trimming (but I'm not much of a pattern follower so I'll just make an adjustment in the final design if the sizes are too off) & I definitely prefer the sandwich method to bias sewing..

[Pat Bravo]

19.

Hi Bari,
Thank you SO much, what an honor! I'm so glad you tried my fabric, and I'm sure all sewers out there will be amazed by the finished projects! Wait and see girls... You'll love them!

Hugs and kisses,
Patricia

[Sam D.]

20.

I just discovered the sandwich method and I really liked it. Makes me feel like I accomplish more in less time although it is still probably the same amount of time.