Twister quilt questions
 

Hi - I love all the Twister quilts I've seen on the Picture forum. I do have a couple questions about it.
1) Would the X block ruler work just as well as the Twister ruler?
2) I have the book "Square Dance" by Martha Thompson, which is the same idea, only marking and using a homemade template instead of having a ruler, and I tried it once and thought it was a real pain to cut out all the blocks. Is it that much easier with the ruler?
3) Do you have to use starch because of the bias edges?
Thanks!
Deb (dcquilter)

I have the Twister. It seems to me that the homemade one would work the same. So far I have only made 2 small pieces for practice 'cause I have so many other things going. I have bought some charm pacts & am planning to use that to make a bright quilt.
Yes I starched the fire out of the 2 practice pieces!! Here's one of 'em. I also used glue basting w/ elmers washable glue.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]292528[/ATTACH]

I have made several items out of the "Square Dance" book.
2) I used a double layer of template plastic to make the template -- it is still possible to "shave" the edges with the rotary cutter, so careful is good. It worked well -- I can't find the table runner right now but it is stunning.
3) Yes, I starched to hold everything stable.

It took me longer than I anticipated to make the table runner since you have to piece everything, then cut it and piece it again.

Thanks for your comments - and nice block, Bev!

Thanks. I appreciate it.

I made a a Twister quilt--the small one--and I used several charm packs. Enough to give me the number of squares called for. I didn't use starch or anything. It turned out fine. The only thing recommended is to cut each row and then sew them together so you don't get mixed up. They are fun and pretty to look at. Good luck with yours.
Sue

My only complaint about the twister ruler is the big "feet" on it. So I took those off and put on the littler stick ons and now it is much easier to cut around. I just finished a Christmas tree and love it.

I have made the 'twister' from the Square Dance book and I made my own template. I usually draw around the template and then cut with my ruler and rotary cutter and sometimes scissors. Works both ways.

I havent seen the X block...so Im not sure it would work but sounds useable...I have 4 sizes of twisters templates and have made all of them. I just made 4 twin size twisters with the 10 inch block template...from selecting the fabrics from my stash to finish it took me 6 hours each to finish and ready for binding..including the quilting onthe long arm

With the twister rulers is there a lot of waste leftover? I have only seen an example and don't quite know what they do with the ruler. It looks like you sew some fabric together and then use the twister to cut the fabric out and then sew back together am I right? Have been curious if there is this lg amount of waste.