Snowball2013 |
06-12-2013 07:47 PM |
Hi Dotty. The techniques for using the Sticks and Stones ruler have recently been undated and the new videos should be posted soon. There is actually no wasted fabric with the new technique. Plus, four units can be constructed at once verses the old fashioned way of making one unit at a time. The units made with this particular ruler are rectangles with a triangle on one end or both ends. (think house top units, Christmas tree units, Picket Fence units, etc.) Cutting the fabric is much easier and faster because there are no little squares to cut. For instance, with the ruler and technique, let's say I am going to make four Picket Fence units 2" wide and 6 1/2" long. I cut two fabrics. One fabric is cut 6 1/2" X 10" and the other fabric is cut 2" X 10". I place the fabrics right sides together and line up the top long edges. I then mark the sewing lines for the diagonal seams using the Sticks and Stones ruler. Next, I sew on the diagonal lines and cut the four units apart using markings on the ruler. I press the corners of the units forming a triangle. Lastly, I trim the "ears" from behind the triangle on the ends. You now have four perfect Picket Fence units that are never skewed out of shape The "ears" make perfect half square triangles that can be used in the project or in another project. Same goes for the Snowball block "ears". Even the small rectangular pieces that are sometimes formed and cut off with the larger Snowballs, I use to make my piano key borders and typically double sew corners so my half square triangles are ready to use. I just realized, it probably took me longer to type these instructions than it takes to make the four units:>) The quilt on the website called Fall Salsa II has 512 of the Picket Fence units. But it only took me two weekends and five evenings to construct the quilt. (I work fulltime in addition to my ruler business). The quilt looks tedious and time consuming but it really isn't and I did not have to cut 512 - 2" squares but it looks like I did. If you plan to come to the International Festival in Houston, we will be there again this Fall. We would love to meet you in our booth. Please drop by. Happy quilting.
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