Quossum

My heart sank when I saw the hourglass blocks, because I’m not good with those. I’d like to use the method described in the section about the Essential Triangles ruler, but I didn’t get that exact ruler. Not sure if I have another ruler that can be used the same way, or if I “have” to get that specific ruler. So, yeah, I’m already feeling discouraged, but that I still want to at least try.

I’ve visited three quilts shops looking for the official Essential Triangles ruler to no avail. Not sure if I should order one or push through or just give up before I start cutting up all this fabric I bought.

I guess I’m going to finish quilting the Optimism quilt since it’s a bit less than halfway done already, then decide from there.

Iceblossom

Quossom, we are all invested in you having a good time with this! Don't give into the despair just yet.

If your fabrics/stash allows, consider the squares technique if you haven't cut into strips yet. I don't keep skinny strips so it works better for me to do the square method, especially with as many little bits of fabric I am trying to use up. I think for someone with fewer fabrics to work with that maybe the strip piecing is a lot more efficient, but I am able to keep my sets together pretty well. I use the little binder clips to tell groups of pieces apart. Is easier (especially with my vision issues)

I think with Bonnie's ruler, it snubs the points off the triangles for better piecing. My first round of sewing is the two triangles, as Bonnie directs, start with the right angle at the top and sew down the piece, I don't pin this step. I am cutting slightly large, but as I've found out with my new machine foot, the piecing is coming out pretty nicely/accurately. My second round in putting together the triangles and I do pin. I also snub the top before sewing to make it easier. You will notice that although I pin, they are well below the stitching line. The clips are also out of the way, they mark each set using both pieces of pink (which for me is white...).

Iceblossom

@toverly Grats for you! When I sit down and do it, it goes by pretty fast, but getting me to sit down is often the hard part

I have found that some years I am faster/more organized than others. Some years I did need a second piece to work on. This year though I'm trying to stay true to Bonnie and do things like housework or organization stuff that I usually ignore. Plus I know I have the week I will be away from home/project. I've had my wooden drying rack out holding up fabric and strips as I've been working, really love that but will need to put away to make room for the space heater because my sewing space gets cold in the winter.

Today is our usual bowling date day and we have some bedmaking and other chores to do. Yesterday we had the milk run in the morning, and then we have a park rendezvous set for Saturday afternoons. I also have the rhythm of my weekly sewing group on Tuesdays to add to the mix. I think I could be done with my blocks today, but I am going to pretend that I would really rather spend time with my husband... which I would, but maybe not as much time as I'm giving him today.

joe'smom

Quossum, I'm not sure if Bonnie's ruler is available other than at her own website, but it accomplishes the same tasks as the Easy Angle ruler combined with the Companion Angle ruler, if you have those on hand. For the QSTs, you'd want the Companion Angle. But i would encourage you to try what she calls the traditional method (the method she always lists first), as I have better accuracy with that than the other. One thing you can say about Bonnie's quilts is that they will definitely make you a better piecer!

Quossum

Well, I do want to improve my piecing in general, so I’m trying to encourage myself to take this as a fun challenge. I tend to be very much a “stripping queen” —wait, that doesn’t sound right… uh… “determined user of strip-piecing methods” so maybe giving the traditional way a try is what the universe is nudging me to do!

Sync

Yesterday was a running errands day for me, so it was a no sew day. I did start to cut my hourglass sets, so today I can get to sewing. This week will be a short week at work with a nice 4 day weekend. Hopefully, I'll be finished with clue 1 before clue 2 comes out.

Sync

I started making my hourglass units. So here's what I have accomplished so far today ...........

happylab

Thank-you Sync. I was really debating on using the beige on beige design fabric for my neutrals. After seeing your sewn pieces & background fabrics, I’m going to go with my one piece fabric. Now I just need to wash & iron all of my fabrics.
- I received the essential ruler (and the other 2 rulers) yesterday that I ordered off the internet. I ordered from an online quilt store, a little pricy, but I know I will be using these rulers in the future.
- Due to housework and other obligations, I figure I will start on Tuesday morning in sewing. That will give me 4 days of sewing. I’m glad Bonnie isn’t starting with the dark purple fabrics. I’m still debating if I want to use the dark mediums & dark purples or go back into my stash/scraps and look for more dark purple fabrics and only do dark purple fabrics. I would need 5 more FQ’s of dark purples if I go that route.
- I also plan to make 6 extra sets to enlarge to a king size top.
- Well I have house work to do before I go to bed. Happy sewing/quilting everyone.

Gemm

Oh Quossum, I laughed when I saw how you described yourself! I just wanted to encourage you not to be too hard on yourself or the process. One of my favourite quilts is almost entirely tiny hourglasses made from mostly tiny scraps (no strip piecing at all) - once I got into the swing of it, I found things went together quite quickly and easily. You have the right mindset and so I'm sure you will be fine and you will probably enjoy having the opportunity to try something different from your usual approach. :-)

petthefabric

I'm a month late. I'm still collecting fabric.
trying to use stash and only one fabric for each choice. So.......
Purple will be purple/orchid
pinks will be apricot
pale blue is a very pale watercolor print with orchid, apricot, yellow periwinkle and white.
So I think I need neutral-the only piece I have that big enough is bleached muslin. Since orchid, apricot and watercolor print are mostly warm tone fabrics, think i'll try to find a pale periwinkle.

Yeah, an excuse to shop.