Monthly Archives: June 2017

Equilateral (60-degree) Triangle Baby Quilt

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I haven’t had any friends have babies for a long time, but all of a sudden, I have a lot of baby quilts that I’d like to make for friends. I wanted to do something simple, without it being a simple patchwork quilt. I decided that an equilateral triangle quilt would give enough visual interest without it being either too difficult to piece or take too much time.

If you haven’t tried making an equilateral (60-degree) triangle quilt before, one of the best things I can recommend is starch or even just best press. If you take the time to take care of your fabric, it will be so much easier. Here’s my methodology for starching: Set out a plastic drop cloth, lay the fabric down, then spray it until it’s damp. I then leave it there until it dries. Once fabric has been starched, do not use steam, ESPECIALLY when you cut these triangles out. The bias edges really get wonky and weird with steam.

For further tips on how to piece 60-degree triangles, I recommend reading this post by the master herself, Jay Bird Quilts. I cannot recommend her tutorial highly enough.

This particular baby quilt is made using 5.5″ triangles, which are very easily cut out using a 60-degree ruler. Cut your fabric strips at 5.5″ x width of fabric (WOF). Then use your 60-degree ruler to cut triangles. Cut out 104 triangles to get enough for this quilt. You will then piece them into 8 rows of 13 triangles each. Once again, look through the post by Jay Bird Quilts and it’ll save you a lot of headache if you’d like your points to meet. Mine is not perfect, but I’m happy with it! 🙂

The solids I used for this quilt are all Moda Bella: Lead 9900 283, Graphite 9900 202, Smoke 9900 316, Silver 9900 183, White 9900 97. I don’t know what the aqua is….. but it’s pretty bright and great. Sorry.

This quilt finished at around 30″ x 40″. Just like a patchwork quilt, you can add more triangles to upsize it, or take away to downsize it. I really like keeping my baby quilts to a size that I can use just one yard of fabric for the backing and this did the trick!

What’s your go-to baby quilt? I’d love some more ideas!

 

#jensfillerblocks 6.5″ Bow Tie

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I bet you all thought I was done making #jensfillerblocks. I did too!!! I couldn’t pass up posting this one as I’m in the middle of my 6.5″ bow tie quilt that I referenced in my Low Volumes series. It’s a very traditional block that has been around forever and is super easy to make.

Cutting for 1 block:

(2) 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ low volume

(2) 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ print

(2) 2″ x 2″ print

Draw a line down the center diagonally of each 2″ x 2″ print. Place the (2) 2″ x 2″ prints on top of one corner of each of the (2) 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ low volumes (LVs). Sew on the line. A note about directional prints: it is definitely possible to line up the prints so they go in the same direction, but it does require checking before you sew them to the LV’s.

Trim off the excess, and press. Lay out the block to make sure it is all facing the right direction and your bow tie corner pieces you just made end up in the right spot.

Sew together into a simple 4-patch and you are done!

 

Olfa Endurance Blades and Traveling Mats

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I am super excited to tell you about a fun giveaway I have for one of you lucky quilters out there! I imagine, like me, many of you have heard of the new Olfa 45mm Endurance blade that lasts up to 2x as long as a traditional blade. I have to say I have been super impressed with the Endurance blade I was sent. It cuts through fabric like butter, without being a runaway blade. It is so sharp, yet so easy to control.

I also was sent 2 folding mats. They’ve become my new go-to mats! The 17″ x 24″ is the perfect size for breaking down fat quarters, which I’ve been doing a lot of. I have been in the really, really bad habit of doing all of my cutting on the floor (yes, the floor…… I know how bad it is…..) so these smaller mats have made it so much easier to cut on the table like a real quilter. 😉 The 12″ x 17″ is going to be a great retreat or travel mat! I was always curious what the backs of these travel mats look like so I thought I’d share a photo:

The center strip is flexible and bends, while the foam provides a nice non-slick effect.

Olfa is also doing a super fun contest for a chance to win a quilting cruise for 2 on their website! You can enter daily so jump on that if you’d like a cruise for free!!!

Olfa has generously offered a fun giveaway for one lucky US resident and blog reader. The winner will receive:

1 45mm Olfa Endurance blade, 1 45mm Olfa Splash rotary cutter in purple, and 1 12″ x 17″ folding cutting mat.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me when the last time is you changed your rotary blade. I never change mine as regularly as I should, I am embarrassed to admit. Are you diligent in changing yours or do you follow my ways? (I do have to moderate comments, so don’t worry if it doesn’t show up immediately.) GIVEAWAY to US residents only and will end on Friday, June 9. Good luck!!

 

GIVEAWAY CLOSED! Congrats to Kathy who has been emailed. Thanks to all for entering! I see I’m not alone in waiting as long as humanly possible to change my rotary blade. 🙂

 

*I was sent products by Olfa in exchange for a write up of my honest opinions. The opinions are mine and real.*