Jackpot!

One of my friends is moving to a new home and is cleaning out her fabric stash. I am the lucky recipient of two HUGE boxes of discharged, hand-dyed, stenciled, painted, monoprinted, (and I'm not sure what else) fabric. The boxes contained fabrics of all kind--silk, velvet, corduroy, cotton, denim, organza, gauze, etc. There are subtle, beautiful fabrics and fabrics that practically shout at you. My head is spinning with new ideas (which is what I had hoped they would do). As I told the giver, "It is like Christmas up in here!!!"

Now, where am I going to put these new fabrics???

Using Half-Square Triangles

I have wanted to make a half-square triangle quilt for quite some time. I finally am working on one using a layer cake and 10" background squares I cut from a gray I had on hand. I did some research (and played a bit on my own) to find several different layouts I really liked. If you would like to make a half-square triangle quilt, this post (and the previous post) is for you. In the previous post, I explained how to make eight quick half-square triangles from 10" squares (layer cake). The first thing you will need to do after making the half-squares is to square the blocks to your chosen size. This is how you do that. (I squared mine up to 4 1/2"; yours may need to be squared to 4 1/4" or 4" depending on whether you took a scant or generous 1/4" seam allowance.)

I made my half-square triangles using the method in my previous post. Next, I played with them on my design wall. As you will be able to see, the half-square triangles are not sewn together yet. (I can't decide which layout I like the best! You will have to leave me comments and let me know which layout you like. It might help me decide which one to make.) First I tried these...

Layout A and B

Next, came these...

 

Layout C and D

And these...

Layout E and F

And these...

Layout G and H

And these...

Layout I and J

 

After moving all those half-square triangle around on my design wall, I was getting pretty tired (but was still inspired). I still wanted to try some other layouts. This time, I did some block layouts. Think about how these would look either side by side or sashed. I liked these too.

Blocks 1, 2, 3

Blocks 4, 5, 6

Then, I thought why couldn't I make a table runner, so I tried one. I liked it too!

Which layout do you like best?

 

I hope I have given you some ideas about the WIDE variety of ways you can put your half-square triangles together. Use one of these designs or play with your half-square triangles to come up with a design all your own.

Virtual Quilt Retreat 2

I'm getting ready for my quilt guild's second virtual retreat on Facebook. We are a friendly group, and I would like to personally invite you to join us for this retreat. Gather your supplies and projects, get all your cooking and cleaning done, and get ready to sew, sew, sew. This is a really convenient retreat...you get to join like-minded sewing buddies (virtually--on-line), and you don't have to drag all your stuff anywhere! The retreat begins on Thursday, February 16 and runs through midnight on Sunday, February 19. Sew with us for all the days or jump in whenever it is convenient for you. Keep up with what everyone is doing by checking in on the Facebook page (Patoka Valley Quilters Guild). Post what you are working on, your progress all along the way, and your finished items. Add the hashtag #PVQGVR2 (which stands for Patoka Valley Quilt Guild Virtual Retreat 2) at the end of each of your posts during the retreat. I wanted to offer up a project for retreat participants (for anyone interested). I have been wanting to make a half-square triangle quilt. I also have been wanting to use one of my layer cakes I have had sitting around for awhile. I researched half-square triangle quilts and found lots and lots of ideas. I will be sharing some of my half-square triangle quilt ideas with you during the virtual retreat both on the blog and on the Patoka Valley Quilters Facebook page. Grab a couple of layer cakes--one print and one coordinating solid (or one print layer cake and cut your own 10" background squares--one for each print square in your layer cake). Sew up some quick half-square triangles.

 

(Be sure to put right sides together.)

 

 

 

Your last step is to square up your half-square triangles. I squared mine up to 4 1/2". I could do that because I took a scant 1/4" seam allowance. You may need to square yours to 4 1/4" or 4" square. Square ALL your half-square triangles to the same size--either 4 1/2", 4 1/4", or 4". 

 

Get your half-square triangles done and stay tuned for LOTS of ideas on how to use these half-square triangles. I'll be posting some suggestions on Thursday (when the virtual retreat starts).