Tuesday Tricks

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Now don't get too excited because I don't have that many tricks up my sleeve (so this probably won't be happening every Tuesday), but here's a little one I picked up somewhere along the way.  Thought I'd share...

For Half Square Triangle Units (or any block that tells you to draw a diagonal line on one side of the fabric and then sew along that line), here's a handy little trick you can do to help you skip that step of drawing the lines on a bazillion little blocks...

First, put some tape on your sewing machine
so that the edge of the tape lines up with where your needle comes down.


Second, layer the two blocks on top of each other with right sides together and the corners matched up.  Then insert the first corner under the needle.


Begin sewing towards the opposite corner, making sure to keep that second corner lined up with the edge of the tape the whole way.


As you keep that second corner lined up with the edge of the tape as you're feeding it through,
it will give you the straight line you need!


Trim.


Press open.


And voila! 
You have just skipped the time consuming step of drawing lines on a million little squares. 
Easy right!?!

You could use this trick when you're making a block such as this:


or this:


or on these stars points:


Hope you liked this Tuesday Trick.
Enjoy!
~ Amber
at
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16 comments:

  1. monika@mysweetprairie.caJanuary 25, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Awesome! Thanks for the trick!

    I do 'Tips on Tuesdays' if you want to come see. This week's topic is Children in the Sewing Room. : )

    ~Monika / My Sweet Prairie

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  2. ErinJanuary 25, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for this tip. I have a million bazillion flying geese to do and this is going to save me SO much time, you have no idea.

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  3. monika@mysweetprairie.caJanuary 25, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    You can put two strips along side each other, sew both sides together, then cut 45degree angles like this:
    /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
    Press 'em all open and you have lots of hst with no waste. Cool hey? Fast too.

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  4. BeverlyJanuary 25, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Great tip, Amber. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. DianeYJanuary 25, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    I do like this tip! Hate drawing those lines!

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  6. Shanna of Fiber of All SortsJanuary 25, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Wow. . great tip!

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  7. Betty LouJanuary 25, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    You are one smart cookie! Drawing those lines has to be the worst job in quilting. Look forward to more tips.

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  8. brittany marie davisJanuary 25, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    I am so glad you taught me this trick. It has saved me a LOT of time. I am hoping to see ya tonight. I have a couple of things for you - - that brush & that rod for maya's window.

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  9. TiffanyJanuary 25, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    That is amazing! Thanks so much!

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  10. ShannonJanuary 25, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    Very nice trick. I just put my Clearly Perfect Angles on my machine. This trick would have worked also. Thank you!

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  11. RoosJanuary 26, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    Thank you fot the trick,I don't like to sew on my machine because the line's that won't be straight.But maby now.....?

    Greatings Roos

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  12. ferneJanuary 26, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    Sew simple and yet I hadn't thought of it! Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Nanette MerrillJanuary 27, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    You're such a smartie. Great trick.

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  14. JuliaJanuary 28, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    I really like the picture of your quilt. I would love to see the whole quilt. What is the fabric line? Wonderful tip and quilt.

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  15. BritleyJanuary 30, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    Amber, look at this one! These have got to be the fastest and easiest half square triangles.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekYpJzHoW6E

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  16. Gigi's ThimbleJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Thanks Britley. That IS really cool! I will definitely try that next time for pinwheels or half square triangles. The method I shared here is great for snowballs, flying geese or any other time you need to create a triangle on a portion of an existing block.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Amber

    ReplyDelete

I ♥ to hear from you so please feel free to leave a comment. I read each one and try to respond as often as I can. Thanks so much for stopping by! ~Amber

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