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Sunday, June 20, 2010

Cutting Corners

I  shouldn't go so long before postings. Time just gets away from me.

I went to spring quilt market in Minneapolis in May, to introduce my new template set "Cutting Corners". I think they were well received. Hopefully those shops that bought them will find out how versitile they are and want more. I plan to show you what a great template set they are and hope you tell your friends.

I developed them because I hate (well that is such a strong word) drawing lines on the backs of squares for making such blocks as Snowball, Flying Geese, and Square-in-a-Square. It just seems like such a waste of time to me. So I designed a tool for eliminating the need to draw the line. You simply line up the square on the corner, "cut the corners" and sew 1/4" seam allowance. To whet your whistle I am showing how they work for Snowball blocks.
Step 1. Line up small square on the corner of the larger square. Align the triangle ruler on the small square.

Step 2. Trim corner off with your rotary cutter.

Step 3. Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance.

Step 4. Press to triangle. Perfect corner! No time wasted drawing the line on the back of the small square. (You have to trim anyway after you sew.)

That was only one use for the templates (there is also a square template). Stay tuned for further uses.

I am participating in a Jelly Roll sampler quilt on Konda Luckau's blog. You can still participate even though I am block number 9. Just go to her blog:  Moose on the Porch Quilts. You can use my Cutting Corners templates for the block if you want to.

Here are some test blocks I have started with Cutting Corners. The first one is done with 3 1/2" rectangles and the second one is done with 2 1/2" Jelly Roll light and dark strips cut into rectangles (it is not sewn yet). I will have my first pattern specifically designed for use with the template set based on this block hopefully by the end of July. So watch for it on my website. It can be used with Jelly Rolls.



Until the end of the month of June, if you purchase my Cutting Corners template set, you will get a free pattern. You get to pick from Mosaic Magic or Royal Gems. Both you can use the templates with instead of drawing the line on the backs of the squares.

Gotta go. I'll be in Kansas for the next week teaching.
Remember, always do what you love and love what you do.