I felt like a turtle doing all those half square triangles. Well, I went slowly on purpose so that I could be sure they had proper seams. AND there are 480 of them. Press to set seams. Press open. Cut off "bunny ears". But now that I have gotten to the point of joining them to some rectangles, it feels like I am now in second gear. On the first 120 group, I did 45 yesterday and finished the other 75 in less than an hour today.

Sure makes a difference when they go in one after the other. I can't believe that when I started quilting in 1992, I used to stop and cut them off one at a time.

Way to go! :) When I started I didn't do chain piecing either AND I did back stitching at the beginning and end of each seam!!! No wonder it took years to do a quilt.

I was lucky. I learned this timesaver trick on my first project, in 2000.

Yes, but I bet they will last forever.

Aren't all of the tips we pick up and share wonderful :wink: 8)

I know what you mean. When I first tried my hand at quilting, I cut all the pieces from cardboard templates.

BTW, when you do HSTs from only 2 fabrics, there is a grid method that allows sewing a whole bunch of them and then cutting them apart. You still have to press. I haven't seen that method described on the QB (but I haven't looked for it either.)

I have always loved chain piecing. I quilt every quilt that way regardless of the instructions in the pattern..lol

Lynette

I like to chain piece also, but lots of times the pattern I am using does not allow me to do that. One I did recently, I had to do one part and then another before I could proceed with chaining. I like to use the width of fabric strips and can't do that with the scraps I'm trying to use.

My first quilt class teacher showed us how to chain piece, and I have been forever grateful! :lol: It sure was an eye opener for me! :?

I just learned about chain piecing when I went to the quilt retreat in June. Love it! Also learned that I didn't have to back stitch at the start and end of each seam. I love tips!

I've got to agree. I love chain piecing too. It makes things go so much faster.

The fun thing about quilting/sewing is we learn things all the time. I was like you and used to do one at a time. NO MORE. :wink:

I also love chain piecing!! You can get into a "groove" and just sew, sew, sew....of course, then you have to press, press, press and snip, snip, snip -- but it sure makes the blocks go together faster!

Chain piecing is fabulous!! I encourage my students to do it all the time!

I have a neat system for pressing and slicing. I have a television in my sewing room.

I learned chain piecing before I started quilting. It helps things to go fast. Another trick I use is I have a seam ripper inserted into a piece of wood that had been drilled. I just place my threads between all my chains and push down and the cut very easily. It is a fast way to snip all those pieces apart.

Gem,
I like tips & tricks so I want to understand yours. Would you mind explaining about the wood and threads?

Ok, my friends husband went to Michaels and bought 10 little wooden heart, aprox 4x4", size is not that important as long as it is stable (won't tip)
He then drilled a hole in the center the same size as a standard cheap seam ripper. He then painted all the hearts red and gave them to all the ladies that quilt together at our church.

Gem... thanks, it's all clear now.... very very clever!!

Thanks for posting your great pictures of the thread cutter! :lol:

Good Thinking!