Square in a Square by Jodi Barrows????????
 

Has anyone bought her book and template? A friend of mine bought one and I really like the technique, but I'll be darned if we could match up corner blocks with flying geese. We double checked our cuts and after sewing the strips around the square, we cut exactly as explained using the 90 degree. Are we missing something or doing something wrong? Any advice sure would be welcomed...and thanks in advance.

I had her book and ruler but never did figure out how to use it. I loaned it to a friend and so far haven't bothered to ask for it back. I think she is leaving something out in the videos I've watched. My blocks never came out right.

I had never heard of this technique, but I just watched one of the videos. Wow - seems like a huge waste of fabric! I would guess that it would work okay though, but the trick would be starting with the right size center squares and strips. They would not necessarily be the same size for all the components of a block. I will stick with methods that don't throw away so much fabric. (Yes, I know you can supposedly use up those little pieces that you trim off - but I know I would just toss them.)

Onebyone, good to know that it's not just me....her measurements just don't match up. And dunster, you are right....it's a terrible waste of fabric. Thanks for the input.......I'm going to use the money for more fabric instead of the template and book (very expensive)

A member of the Board recently posted a picture and she used the ruler – it was excellent.
Link to Board picture:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t250500.html

Did you move the ruler over from the 90 degrees when making the flying geese like she explains in this video? Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMCx6cNOMhw

For me, nothing beats Deb Tucker's square in a square ruler.

The patriotic quilt was beautiful! Yes, we did the "texas 2 step" and double checked the measurements but the corner square still was shorter than the end of the flying geese. I'm going to stick to my Eleanor Burns flying geese ruler.

I just watched it and it just seems confusing and wasteful - I really don't have that much trouble with the blocks in the first place and I sure as heck don't want to relearn a different way.

Sometimes the 'old ways' are the best. Smart to use Eleanor's ruler. Maybe I'm thinking that because it's my 'go to' for the flying geese. LOL

One of my friends who is a former quilt shop owner and quilter told me once when I asked her about Jodi's book and technique said that the instructions are quite difficult to understand and follow. Sometimes the tried and true methods yield the best results. Sorry it didn't work out.

I've bought her rulers and book and absolutely love love LOVE them!!! I've had no problems whatsoever, and everything matches up perfectly. If you've done the Texas Two Step and its still not right, I would think you haven't cut your strips the right size - if your centre square is over 5 1/2" you need to allow a little more in the width of your strips. Also, watch your pressing and seam allowance. I don't find the method terribly wasteful. Definitely no more so than the Go cutter. If you have another method you like stick to that one. Jodi's is definitely for me tho.

I was in my LQS a while back and I checked out this method. I didn't buy the book because it sure looked like it wasted a lot of fabric. After reading these reviews, I'm glad I didn't buy it.

Had all her stuff and gave it away. Nothing I tried worked. Other techniques seem to work fine. I have Eleanor Burn's ruler and love it. If I need more in width, why doesn't she tell me. She's the teacher of her technique. I prefer Deb's ruler too. If one precuts fabric for the Go, there is very little waste.

Did you miss the steps over process?

To add to Terri D's comment: my former LQS owner remarked about the horrific waste of fabric. I had a bad experience in Jodi's class, so I never finished that class project.

Bought her book/ template a long time ago, tried it, did not like all those bias edges....and seemed like more work to get to the finished block than the " old way"..... So now it hangs on my pegboard wall....should donate to guild!

I have 3 of her books bought at thrift stores and I have no clue what she is doing. A local quilt store had her come in for a lecture and everyone loved it, I was not able to attend. Her quilts are beautiful. Never bought her ruler. I personally love anything Eleanor Burns has or does, she amazes me with her knowledge and innovations.

I took a class from one of her trainers. My blocks came out perfect. Some small waste of fabric, but no more than other methods. The key is placement of the ruler when cutting off the extra. My first attempts with it and with the Wonder Ruler were dismal until i learned the correct placement of the ruler. Some of her cutting options seem counter-intuitive. Good luck, when you find a method that works stick with it.

I bought her book, ruler, and the kit to do the Pony Express quilt a few years ago at our Quilter's Day Out. I haven't started it yet but just recently pulled it out. I'm hoping that since there are videos for each step of the quilt, I will be able to follow along. Otherwise, after looking through the book, I don't think I would attempt it. It does seem like a waste of fabric but since I follow Bonnie Hunter and make scrappy quilts, I don't feel so bad about that ;-) We shall see!! Has anyone made the Pony Express quilt?

Absolutely love it. Bought the rulers and books at a quilt show a few years ago where Jodi was demonstrating the rulers.

I bought them and have never used them.
El Burns geese rulers are a must have for me.

I really am sorry some of these things don't work out... but I have to tell you I do find some comfort in knowing if those of you who are really above my pay grade in quilting have difficulty with patterns and rulers there may be hope for me yet...LOL

[QUOTE=patchy-at-best;6813319]I've bought her rulers and book and absolutely love love LOVE them!!! I've had no problems whatsoever, and everything matches up perfectly. If you've done the Texas Two Step and its still not right, I would think you haven't cut your strips the right size - if your centre square is over 5 1/2" you need to allow a little more in the width of your strips. Also, watch your pressing and seam allowance. I don't find the method terribly wasteful. Definitely no more so than the Go cutter. If you have another method you like stick to that one. Jodi's is definitely for me tho.[

I totally agree! I have several of her books and love the system and I am really not all that smart. As far as waste I will never live long enough to use half of what I have so i don"t worry about it.

[QUOTE=barney;6815260 As far as waste I will never live long enough to use half of what I have so i don"t worry about it.[/QUOTE]

Great philosophy...I agree!

Here's my quilt I made using Jodi Barrows' ruler. I love my country, and I love my quilt.

I bought the book and ruler years ago. I didn't like the technique due to all the fabric waste and bias edges all around the edges..
Sharon

I attended a class by Jody Barrows and brought her ruler and one book. I, too, had some problems understanding the instructions. In the back of the book there is an eight hundred number to call with any questions you might have. I called and the lady was very helpful. Right now I am out of town and I don't have the book available as I amount of town. I hope that this information helps.

I took a class using the ruler a long time ago- didn't finish the quilt though it wasn't a bad technique that I recall. My friend did a border for her round robin using it and finished but hated the bias edges- she had to staystitch around her border and warned the next person about it being bias (they weren't thrilled). I don't remember the waste bothering me at the time - I dn't mind scraps since I like string quilts and scrappy quilts but not small pieces. I just didn't like the bias

Deb Tucker Rules! And her Wing Clipper is truly ingenious!

Also, I have paper-pieced square in a square - thanks to a bright idea from a Board member - and you can do whatever side you want, make the paper pieces yourself. Perfect every time.

One of her instructors spoke at our guild a while back and I was interested enough that I bought the ruler and a book. The instructor stated there were several errata.
I used the ruler and liked it very much, especially for snail's trail blocks.

I can't thank you enough for bringing up this ruler. I had picked one up at a yard sale...who knows when. I went straight to my peg board and it was still hanging there in the big ziplock. Pulled that baby out and started making square in a square blocks of all sizes, now to choose the size I like the best and make more !! Maybe I'll actually get a Halloween quilt made well before the holiday !! What fun !!