Friday, March 8, 2013

For the Love of Triangles..... and a Giveaway!

Being new to the world of creating quilts..... I believe that there may be a technique, a pattern, a template or a shape that has each of us befuddled....  (I like that word).  

For me it is a shape.....  a funny little three-sided guy.  It really shouldn't get us into too much trouble, right?  I love, love, love quilt tops where the blocks are on point.  I have made two now and I really do love them.  And what shape is a must-have for an on point design?  You got it..... triangle.  

So in all honesty - even though this is my first ever mini-tutorial..... it is more for me than anyone else.  And it is a no-brainer for the more experienced quilter - that is for sure.... but I must get my feet wet somewhere - so it might as well be with triangles.  

It all started when I was sewing these lovely triangles to a square.... I put the iPod on Pandora - tuned it to the Billie Holiday station and off I went. 

By the time I was pressing the second set that I had sewn.... my fears were confirmed - something was wrong....very wrong.  



Can you see it in the picture above????  I did not center the triangle so every single one of the squares had the triangle in a different spot - so no matter what I do - this quilt top was going to go together pretty wonky!  Not in a good wonky way either!  At this point it was too late to use my best friend in the whole world - seam ripper - because I had cut my corners off!  (lesson number 1 - do not cut corners off until you are sure!)  The funny thing is that the whole time I was humming away, I knew that I should probably find the centers and match them up - but Billie just carried me away and I got into a rhythm. No, I am not blaming Billie either!  (lesson number 2 - go with your gut!)

So when it came time to sew on the second set of triangles.....  I confirmed with my instructor - what I knew all along - center it before you sew.  



The best way I could do this was to finger press the square to find its center and finger press the triangle to find its center..... 




Then match your creases up.  At this point, you can pin.  I usually do not pin until I am assembling rows and I need to match seams and so forth - but that is another post!  


Now you go take your matched creases to the sewing machine....    Needle placement will confirm that you have found the centers and most likely you will have a successful triangle experience.  
Hopefully you can see in the picture that your needle is flush up against the 45 degree angle created by your bottom piece and top triangle.  If your needle is there - all is well!!!  
Let the singing begin!  

Yay - my first ever tutorial!  Now it is time for a real celebration........ GIVEAWAY!  And this is not just my giveaway - you can go see a list of all the other blogs by clicking on the blog button to the right of this post that looks just like this one: 


or you can click here....... and see all of their giveaways too!  How awesome is that?  You know where I will be spending some time this weekend. 

So what am I giving away?  Well, how about a book and a tool? 



This is Marsha Bergren's book called "Let's Twist.... Again" published by CS Designs at www.country-schoolhouse.com/ and the Lil' Twister tool....  The book has great projects and the twister quilt blocks are ADORABLE!  I picked these up during a Quilt Shop Hop last fall......  

So, how do you enter?  Just two little steps:   

1.   Become a friend (follower) of my blog.
2. Leave a comment to this post sharing your own befuddling technique, pattern, shape......  

Easy as pie!  

(And we will learn from each other!!!!)  

I will ship internationally!  

The Giveaway will stay open until March 14th.**  Then we will put all the names from the comment section below into a hat.  My hubby will pick the winner.  I will share the winner's comment on Friday, March 15th - and ask for contact information

A tutorial and a giveaway - all in one day!

**Just an update - the giveaway will stay open until 8:00 p.m. Arizona time on March 14th.....  Mr. Tally Man will need a little time to set up the very high tech name selection!  (And yes, there will be pictures!)   
 

169 comments:

  1. I am a new follower. I have always had a hard time with the log cabin quilt.

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    1. This might help you:
      http://babajeza.wordpress.com/2011/11/11/how-to-make-a-log-cabin-blockhaus/
      Have a nice day! Regula

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    2. Thanks for following JH! I hope we can help you with log cabin blocks.... Regula's tutorial is a great one!

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  2. My favorite quilt pattern is log cabin. I'v never had any problems with it as I use an underlaying fabric. Here is the link:
    http://babajeza.wordpress.com/2011/11/11/how-to-make-a-log-cabin-blockhaus/
    Have a nice day! Regula

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    1. Hi Regula - that is a great tutorial! I love Log Cabin as well!

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  3. I am a follower. the sashing without anything to match up gets me every time. If I would practice maybe I would get the hang of it! thanks for the chance! looks like a fun pattern and tool

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    1. Hi! Oh I agree! Sashing is hard one! I am a follower of your blog too!

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  4. I love playing with pinwheels! There's so many things that can be done with them :)
    Thank you for the chance.

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    1. Hi! Pinwheels are fun! Love the name of your blog! So clever. And yay for becoming a friend of the blog!

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  5. I'm a new follower to your blog too!

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  6. New follower. My first ever quilt had lots of HST's which I didn't have a clue how to do. Now I could do them almost with eyes closed.

    syvisser@gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hello! First quilt with half-square triangles??? You were brave! Thanks for becoming a friend of the blog! I am a follower of yours too!

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  7. So glad to have found you, and we are friends already! How nice of you to give us all a prize already, with your tutorial. I have a terrible confession to make...after all these years, my seams are still not always a perfect 1/4" and I tend to iron everything instead of pressing. So when I make a block, it's almost never the size it should be. I have to trim everything, every step along the way.

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    1. Yay for being friends already! And thank you so much for the encouragement on the tutorial! Oh man - 1/4 seams are tough for sure! And I also iron instead of press - I am trying to work on that one! (Trimming is not a bad thing though!)

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  8. I am a new follower! Great tutorial! One of my first projects was appliqué...lets just say it wasn't very pretty. After years of practice it is now one of my favorite techniques!

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    1. Hi Cherilyn! Thank you! Applique is on my list to attempt so I will definitely be looking to you for help ;) - and I am glad to know that practice will help!!!

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  9. I am a new follower. I always have a hard time with the binding. I have ordered a binding tool. Hope it will help!

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    1. Hi Lyn! I would love to know how the binding tool works for you. I have seen them - but have not tried it....

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  10. I'm a new follower. Glad I found you! I really don't like binding, I can do it all right, but it seems to take forever. Think I'm just too keen to have the project finished!
    bandkgram (at) hotmail (dot) ca

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    1. Hello! I am so glad to have your friendship now! I hear ya on the whole binding - I think when I am binding - I am thinking about the next quilt - so I tend to think it takes forever too!

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  11. I'm a new follower! I've always been interested in the Twister. My favorite block is the Pinwheel. Thanks for helping to Beat the Winters Blues!!

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    1. Hi Mimi! So glad to have you as a friend! I love the pinwheel block too. They just make any quilt look so cheerful.... Good luck on the drawing!

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  12. I had a twister block that I recently lost and love twister quilts. One thing that I like to do is cut fabric. I love cutting multiple layers at once and doing complex designs.

    Richard and Tanya Quilts

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    1. Hi Richard.... cutting fabrics is hard and that is great you like to do it and you can do multiple layers at once... I am still a bit of a wimp and only do one piece at a time! Glad to have you join our friends!

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  13. The best tip I can give new quilters, and keep repeating to myself as well: Don't be too hard on yourself, nobody else will ever notice the little imperfections that seem like such a big deal when you're staring at them from 10 inches away! I love to see that you're also supporting The Living Water Quilt!

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    1. What a great insight! Thank you so much! You are so right because I am always fighting the urge to use my best friend and rip it all out - or just start over - which can get EXPENSIVE!

      Isn't The Living Water Quilt wonderful?

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  14. I've never tried pinwheels, thanks for the chance!

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    1. You are welcome! Glad to have you here as a friend!

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  15. well done. your 1st tutorial and a sweet giveaway. looking forward to the draw! I have never made a twister so welcome the chance.

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    1. Thanks Julie! Thank you for the kind words...

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  16. Very nice tutorial....I now follow and I would love to win this tool! I have to say...take it slow and measure twice cut once.

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    1. Thank you Marjorie! I love your tip! It should be all of our mantras! Excited to have you join as a friend!

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  17. I'm a new follower and a relatively new quilter. So everything I learn helps me out. The tutorial was really helpful -- thanks!

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    1. Hi Sue and welcome to the wonderful world of quilting! I am really glad that the tutorial was helpful to you. We can learn together. Can't wait to see your quilts!

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  18. I am following you in email. I love tutorials, you can learn so much. I would love the try the twister tool. Thanks for the chance.

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    1. Yay Vicki.... I just added the email gadget about 30 minutes ago! I am glad you like tutorials. I also love them and thought I could do them as I learn!

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  19. I find Y seams to be a challenge. Perhaps someday I'll conquer them! I'm a new follower and look forward to visiting again soon. Thanks sew much for this chance to win!
    back2loghome (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Hi Pat - wow I have not even tried a Y seam and not sure it is in my future any time soon :) Glad you joined up with the friends!

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  20. I'm a new follower to your blog, your tutorial was very helpful, Thank You!

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    1. Thanks Bj - so glad the tutorial was helpful to you!

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  21. Hello - I'm a new follower. I got so excited about half square triangles that I started a Bears Paw block quilt....672 half square triangles! I'm still working on it and I love the block. So, half square triangles are my favorite little thing right now....even though my most favorite quilting technique is applique, over all. Please stop by and visit me at Prairie Cottage Corner and we'll chat. Your tutorial is great. Congratulations! You're growing by leaps and bounds! Cheers!

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    1. Wow 672 half square triangles! That is just fantastic! I absolutely cannot wait to see your Bears Paw block quilt when it is done... definitely a labor of love! I will definitely be by to see at your blog... and thank you so much for all of your encouragement. You have no idea how much it means!

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  22. Hi! Just became a follower. Thanks for your encouragement on my new blog. :) Hmm...befuddling pattern... well I would have to say, with a red face...HST's! Yep, the first quilt I made with them is, shall we say... very off point. But since then I have learned many ways to do them that aren't pure torture. Almost, but not quite!

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    1. Hi Sandra! Awww... no red face is every unwelcome here! ;) I am sure there will be some more confessions from me in the future about some other crazy befuddling technique.... Thanks goodness we are all here to cheer each other on!

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  23. Congrats on your first tutorial. There are many patterns I have not yet attempted as they look so difficult. Every time I try one I end up rippping something out in order to get it right. lol.

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    1. Thanks Terry! I know what you mean. Have you tried taking a "Mystery" class? My favorite Quilt Shop using Debbie Caffrey's Mystery Quilt patterns... it is fascinating to see the end result - on the two that I have done (I am finishing the second as we speak) I know I would have never in a million years attempted the pattern!

      I think you would love it! So glad you joined the blog hop!!!

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  24. Still struggling with getting the binding to turn the corner nicely. Dont know if I'll ever master that one!

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    1. I hear you Nita! That is a hard one! Hopefully we will find someone who has a great technique or trick! Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. http://pinterest.com/pin/536913586795770127/

      I just pinned this interesting tut - she uses glue for her quilt show quilts! I am pretty happy with my binding, but I may try this when I do to finish my current, and first ever wavy edge quilt. Even without the glue, this is about how I do mine successfully:-)

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    3. Thanks Heidi! I am going to go and check it out and most likely pin it too!

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  25. I'm your follower by e-mail and I love making star blocks :) Thanks so much for this great giveaway!

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    1. Thank you for stopping in and becoming a friend. I have not made a star block yet - but they are definitely calling my name!!!

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  26. I am a follower. :D
    I am having difficult time on making a snowball quilt.

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    1. Hi Hueisei! Thank you for stopping by and becoming a friend. I would love to see a picture of your snowball quilt - even unfinished.... If it is made with circles - Victoria Findaly Wolfe has a great tutorial on appliquing circles.... in fact here is a link address: http://bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/2013/03/stones-mini-quilt-tutorial.html

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  27. You had me following at the first mention of Billie Holiday - I have struggled with fabric selections for the large scales so this past year I have started improv quilting instead of planning everything out. It's working well and I end up with my own designs this way, although I make a lot more scraps since I change my mind so much more.

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    1. Hi Heidi - fellow great music lover! I bet improv quilting is very freeing in a way.... And who does not love more scraps! I am going to go and check out your blog... I would love to see your quilts!

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  28. My nemesis is the rotary cutter. My pieces dont always get cut right. I tend to stray away from the ruler and then ruin the next row of cutting.

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    1. Hi Gail. The rotary cutter can be scary. Richard Healy who commented above loves to cut complex patterns. I think we need to see if he has a blog! So glad you have joined our new circle of friends!

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  29. I'm a new follower!
    I'd like help with curves - mine never lie flat!!

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    1. Hi Gill! I can honestly say that I have not done any work in curves yet - but I will keep my eye out for any tutorials or blogs that deal in this area... Of course, when I start to work with them - I am pretty sure I will be talking about it on this blog!

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  30. Thanks for the tutorial. I have it bookmarked to try.I am a new follower and would like to also learn more about curves

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    1. Hi Margaret... thanks for joining and bookmarking the tutorial. Means a lot - let me know if you have any questions!!!!

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    1. Hi Debra and welcome.... Why do pinked edges make you angry? I have not tried them yet!

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  32. Sad but the charm square with the pinked edges make me angry!

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  33. I learned this same lesson when I was making some square in a square blocks. Oh boy, did I ever have some wonky blocks. LOL Thanks for the tutorial. I too love blocks on point. I am a new follower. I would love to win the giveaway. Thanks.

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    1. Hi Winona and welcome! I am glad that I am not alone in the wonky blocks circle! hahaha... I hope I can make these crazies work - but only time will tell... I am close to putting these rows together and that will be the test! Keeping my fingers crossed for you - have no idea who the hubs will draw out of the hat!

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    1. Hi Barb - welcome and glad to have you in our friends!

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  35. i am new too just learning my self

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    1. Yeah! We can learn together! I love that about the quilting community both online and in your favorite quilt shop or guild!

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  36. i'm afollower...perfect mitered corners on bindings!

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    1. Hi Katherine and welcome! You and I are not alone with the mitered corners! I will keep my eye out and once I find one or see a great tip - will definitely blog about it!

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  37. I'm following. I've sewed forever but piecing is not as forgiving as clothes, etc. no matter how hard I try, by the end of the quilt top, the pieces are not matching up. So frustrating! I love twisters. Thanks.

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    1. Hi Mom C! I have never tried sewing clothing... but you have piqued my curiosity! Glad you love twisters.... got my fingers crossed for you too! Shoot, I wish I had enough of the books and tools for everyone!

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  38. I am currently stuck on flying geese. They are easy to sew, not easy to square up, so I am waiting on the pineapple ruler to arrive at my LQS so I can finish my star quilt! I'm getting restless.

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    1. Hi Java Diva - I hear ya. I just did a block of the month that had all flying geese around the edge - all turned out just fine except for one set.... the funny thing is that it happened on my tester block too! Can you believe that? You have got to let us all know how much you love your new pineapple ruler!!!!

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  39. I am a new follower. I am making a pattern for my daughter's wedding quilt--no plans for a wedding, but I want to be prepared when she decides. The pattern is called 1,000 stars, and I honestly think there are 1,000 DIFFERENT stars in it!! It's going to take a long time to cut all of those tiny pieces and stitch it up before I can even think about hand quilting it! Also, there are 19 fabrics in it! Sheesh!

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    1. I marvel at and admire your tenacity! I cannot even imagine! We all cannot wait to see your daughter's quilt when you are finished! Welcome to our new group of friends!

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  40. I am a new follower. I have never done any curved seams...they worry me. I have thought of trying the twister, winning your giveaway would be a great way to make that happen. Thanks for the chance.

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    1. Welcome! I am nervous about curves myself.... so hopefully in the future we can all learn about curves together! Yeah on twister!

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  41. Hi StasaLynn it is so nice to meet you. And I want to thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving me a comment. I just love meeting new friends. I am learning the "modern" design for quilting this year and it has had me befuddled alright and then some but I look forward to sharing our journey together...

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    1. Hi Sharon!!!! Ooooo... can't wait to find out what the "modern" design is! I love meeting new friends and am so glad we will be sharing our journey together! Take care!

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  42. GFC follower - I sometimes get attacks of "quilter's hubris" ... I'll be going along quite swimmingly, and let my focus lapse a bit...and then do something silly, like square up the blocks the wrong size!

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    1. Hi Nancy and welcome... quilter's hubris - I like that - well not the condition - but the name! I have done the same thing and just about die! Glad you are along for the ride too! Hope we do not get too much hubris!

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  43. I am a new follower. I always am befuddled by picking colors that go together on my quilts.

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    1. Welcome! I am with you on that one too! The latest quilt - the colors are all wrong. I learned something fun from my mentor - if your pattern calls for light, med and dark colors - put all of your fabrics on a copy machine and copy them in black and white - then you can see if there is truly a difference between light, med and dark... wish I had taken her advice on this last one - definitely lots of DARK!

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  44. GFC follower... I can't seem to do anything with a curve... Just. A. Disaster. (And I swear like a sailor, too!)

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    1. Hi Reb! hahahaha swearing like a sailor... way too funny! I am getting a lot of comments about curves.... oh boy - will see what we can do! Welcome to the friends curve club!

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  45. Thanks for the giveaway! I have been wanting to make a twister quilt! I love paper piecing, but it seems like most of the time my pieces do not line up. For example, if the center is supposed to form a perfect circle....mine will be wonky! I hate that. I guess I just need to practice, practice, practice!

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    1. Hi Kimberly and welcome. I have never tried paper piecing. I have seen "practice practice practice" a couple of times today and think it is a pretty good tip! Glad you are here and hope we can practice together.

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  46. thank you so much for this useful giveaway, I would love to have this nice tool, by the fact that I like pinwheels, I should try twister too

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  47. Welcome Elisabetta! Keeping fingers crossed for all of you - wish I had a ton to give away!

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  48. I'm a new follower and I'm afraid to do curves.
    Thanks for being part of the fun blog hop. Lovely giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win.

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    1. Hi and welcome! I am afraid of curves too! Maybe we can overcome them together!

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  49. I'm a new follower and I'm always befuddled! I need lots of pics to figure out a difficult technique. thanks!

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    1. Hi and welcome Debbie - you absolutely made me laugh! I am like you - lots of pics and lots of notes!

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  50. I'm a new follower. And I get befuddled by curves. I can do inset circles ok, but curves are another thing! I think it's just that I have some sort of mental block with them! Thanks for the generous giveaway...looks like a fun block & tool!

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    1. Hi and welcome! I totally agree with you about mental blocks.... I think that is why I have not even tried a curve yet.

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  51. I am a new follower. I struggle with inset seams.Thank you for the chance to win this lovely prize and taking part in the hop.

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    1. You are welcome and also welcome to our group!!!

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  52. I am a new follower and I would have to say it's a process........that would be paper piecing.......just can't get it for some reason. Someday soon I hope. Thanks for the chance to win a very nice prize

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    1. Hi SueAnn and welcome. Ooooo paper piecing... it looks intriguing but I have yet to try it. I wish I could remember the blog - but we have visited so many haven't we? Anyway - there is a blogger that deals extensively with paper piecing and her blog is participating in this party..... If I find her again - I will let you know.

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  53. Ich bin neue Leserin dieses tollen Blogs... Ich bin noch Anfängerin beim handarbeiten und bloggen, aber ich übe fleißig ;-)

    Grüße aus Deutschland von
    Marion

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    1. Hi Marion and welcome!!! So glad to have you here all the way from Germany. The old saying "practice makes perfect" might have something to it..... however I will never be perfect - but I love the practicing part!

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  54. I follow you! I have so much trouble with flying geese and square in a square! I bought a flying geese ruler at the last quilt show to help me out :)

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    1. Hi Mike and welcome! I have been hearing a lot about this flying geese ruler.... I might need to get one.... Let us know how you like it!

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  55. I am now following you. Thank you for the chance to enter the wonderful giveaway. I am still kinda new to this quilting. And it all still befuddles me... I really have a problem keeping with the correct seam allowance . But tha tis my fault I need to slow down and pay more attetnion to what I am doing instead of rushing.

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    1. Hi Tammy and welcome! Quarter seam allowance is a hard one and I am like you - I get so excited I just start humming along. But I have a secret weapon and it helps me at least not go larger than 1/4 and that is a 1/4 foot with a flange edge! It is FANTASTIC!

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  56. I am a brand new follower of your blog. My favorite tip? If you are sewing two rows of squares together, iron the first row in one direction, and then iron the second row in the opposite direction. When you sew the rows together, they will "lock" and meet perfectly!

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    1. Hi and welcome! I love that tip! I love how it feels when they lock and you know it is going to match right up! Thanks!!!

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  57. I am a new follower. I am still a beginner and so lots of things befuddle me. I have a hard time with seam allowance, my depth perception doesn't help either.

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    1. Hi Tanya and welcome! I know you will get the hang of it - even with any issues you have with depth perception. I cannot wait for you to share with us a new quilt you have made!

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  58. I am now a NEW follower! My little trick is to pin, pin, pin! If you are like me and have always tried to fake it or wing it without pinning, just put that notion aside and learn to pin properly and take the time to do it. In the end you'll end up saving more time and put less miles on your seam ripper. I'm also in this blog hop! Check it out - www.brandylynndesigns.blogspot.com Email: info@explorefibred.com

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    1. Hi Brandy Lynn and welcome! Just tonight I was pinning like crazy! And you are so right - it really helped especially with these wonky (and not the good kind of wonky) squares I am trying to sew together! Your blog is beautiful.... I think I was there before - but for some reason - no comment - but I remedied that!

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  59. I will never be perfect at making triangles either but I keep practicing. I love pinwheels. I submitted my email, so I will be following you. Thank you for being a part of this Blog Hop. I have always wanted to make the Twist Quilt. Just waiting for the right tool.

    Sandi Timmons
    sandit1@sbcglobal.net

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    1. Hi Sandra and welcome! Triangles are challenging but I love your attitude - practice practice practice!

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  60. I'm a new follower via gfc! Thanks for the tips for doing triangles. I'm still a fairly new quilter, so I don't have many tips yet. But make sure you pin your seams where you want them to line up or nothing will line up. :)

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    1. Hi Carla and welcome! Awesome tip! So glad you are joining the wonderful world of quilting, sewing and piecing... it is so much fun!

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  61. I am a new follower. I am a relatively new quilter--I also have trouble with points getting cut off-but I am getting better.

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    1. Hi Kim and welcome! Points are tough - and I love your attitude too!

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  62. Hi Stasalynn. Nice to visityour blob. I am a new follower and noticed that you have joined me also. Nice turtorial and this has been such a fun blog. I sure do love blogging and quilting and crafting and more.

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    1. Hi Marla! I love blogging, crafting and quilting too! What a great online community we have here! I am learning so much from others (and you) and I hope I am able to share some too!

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  63. Congrats on your first tutorial! I am a new follower.
    I am "befuddled" by y seams - I always seem to get a pucker.

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    1. Hi Beth and welcome... thank you for the encouragement.... I must just keep trying to do tutorials... Ahhhh the dreaded Y seam! I have not tried one yet..... I must confess I am a bit scared.

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  64. I'm a new follower and am befuddled by curves but I will conquer them this year. Thanks for participating in the Quilter's Blog Hop.

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    1. Hi Tammie and welcome! When you get those curves conquered you must let us all know... I would love to have you be a guest blogger and give us a tutorial! There are a lot of quilters in this little group that are having issues with them too!

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  65. I am a new follower I love your blog and seeing how you do your triangles. I was (past tense) befuddled by the New York Beauty pattern but now that I've tried paper piecing, it's a breeze! Thanks for the chance to win the twister book and tool. I've always wanted to try this method of quilting.

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    1. Hi Carolyn and welcome! Wow - thank you so much! Ooooo I am such a new quilter that I do not know the New York Beauty pattern... I am going to go and google images....

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  66. what a great tutorial, most only show you the perfect way... love the how you messed up and learned the right way.. we all do it at one time or another, no one is ever perfect.. My mom was my inspector, she would make sure I did it right and if not rip it out and start again... I just wanted to move on...

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    1. Thank you so much for the encouragement! Oh my - rip it out and do it over! I think I have done that a time or two in my short little bit of sewing.

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  67. I am a new follower :) I always have troubles with set-in seams! My nemesis....tee hee

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    1. Hi Erin and welcome.... Oh my I have so much to learn... what in the heck are set-in seams... I have a feeling they will be my nemesis (I like this word) too:)

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  68. I am a new follower, loved the tutorial because im sewing triangles tonight. Thank you for offering such a generous prize Coullmills@gmail.com

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    1. Hi Crystal and welcome.... How cool is that! Have fun with your triangles... I would love to know who they come out!

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  69. gfc follower: nicolesender
    I havw a horrible time with anything that has a curve!
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hi Nicole and welcome.... you are not alone!

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  70. I am a new follower :-)
    I had a real hard time with a paper pieced New York beauty I attempted. Trick is to take your time and after a few blocks you'll catch on.

    ktreve (at) hotmail (dot) com

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    1. Hi Kaynik and welcome! Thanks for the tip..... I have not tried any paper piecing at all... I have been tempted... but I will definitely follow your advice!

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  71. I have not, and probably will never ever sew a quilt with curves involved.

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    1. Hi Janarama and welcome! I have not pieced curves either - but I have not counted them out yet!

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  72. My first quilt was called devil of a daisy. It had all drunkards path's...YIKES!! it is no wonder I really stuck with quilting all these years. I would love to win your giveaway!!

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    1. Hi Mamacrafty! I LOVE the name of your first quilt.... I am glad that you have stuck with quilting! Your name is in our very high tech "Name Shaker" and Mr. Tally Man, aka John the Hubby will be drawing a name later tonight - probably much later! :)

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  73. I always have troubles with those triangles, and I did try to make a log cabin and I just couldn'tget that to work out.
    I love the twister in scraps, thanks.

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    1. Hi Donna Joy! I love log cabin blocks - probably my favorite... You have given me an idea for the next tutorial!

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  74. OH!!! want to learn to do Twister Quilt!! Great Give-Away!! thanks!! :)

    I'm a new follower, thru GFC

    Pretty new to quilting...have trouble with points...gettin better tho! :)

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    1. Hi OhioLori and welcome.... Your name is in the very high tech "Name Shaker" and so glad you are excited.

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  75. Great giveaway! I always have trouble with curved seams, as in drunkard's
    path blocks. I am working on some miniature blocks (sewing them by hand).
    Thanks for the chance to win! I am a new follower.

    wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hi Rhonda and Welcome... sewing mini by hand... you are GOOD! My grandmother loved to make mini quilts for her miniature rooms. Much patience is required!!

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  76. I am a new follower and the first time I paper pieced I was so confused with what went where and how to trim. My brain was fried before I could figure it out. Thank goodness for good instruction books. Thank you for the chance to win!

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    1. Hi Norma and welcome... paper piecing must also take patience. Glad you had some books to help you out. I think that is why I love the quilting blogs so much... not only a lot of inspiration - but lots of good instructions too!

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  77. What a great tutorial! I would have never guessed it was your first!!!!! I love that you showed what happened and why! Learning kudos to you!! My favorite technique (or tip) is to reuse the clings we get on kitchen items, or window clings, and placing on my rulers for a measurement I'm going to use a lot when cutting. My ol' eyeballs don't have to strain so much for each measurement :)

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    1. Hi Nancy Sue - thank you so much for the kinds words and encouragement - you have no idea how much that means to me! LOVE LOVE LOVE your tip! I have been just using my eyeballs and always check about ten times before I cut! I cannot wait to try this out!

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  78. I'm a beginner, so it's all befuddling to me :)

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    1. Hi Carmen! I hear you.... I know you will love piecing and quilting and hope you are taking a fun class to help. I took Quilting 101 at my favorite Quilt Shop and it was FANTASTIC! I learned so much... the second quilt I made was a sampler and it through the encouragement of the awesome ladies at the my favorite quilt shop and my wonderful mentor that made it all happen! I cannot wait to see a picture of your first quilt!!!

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  79. I'm a new follower! I have the hardest time with the log cabin blocks! They always come out wonky!
    hulseybg at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi Abbigail and welcome. You, jh22 and Donna Joy are all having a time with Log Cabin blocks. I love Log Cabin and my instructor/mentor taught me well - so I think you all have given me inspiration for the next tutorial! But have you seen some of the adorable wonky log cabin blocks? I love those too!

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  80. I am new follower. thank you for this chance to win. hugs

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    1. Hi Alessandra Lace, welcome and hugs to you too!

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  81. Hi Anne, New follower am I. I have the worst time with 1/4 seam some how they don't stay 1/4 inch so I get the marker out and measure and mark the line.

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    1. Hello Crafter 1953 and welcome! That is a great tip on keeping a 1/4 inch seam. I use a Janome Magnolia and Janome has a 1/4 inch seam foot with a flange edge on it! I LOVE IT!

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  82. I am a new follower. I keep forgetting to measure my blocks as I go to make sure they are the correct size. Ripping out 200 seams is no fun.

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    1. Hi Laura and welcome. I forget to measure my blocks too! Oh my gosh 200 seams!!!! That would be awful. You are very patient!

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  83. Sometimes I am not careful enough when I am cutting or else when I am measuring and so I end up with wavy borders. Measuring is really important and I have got more careful about it. It does save one a lot of ripping LOL Thanks for participating in the hop. I do have the first LIL twister book.
    Regards from Alberta,
    Anna

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    1. Hi Anna! Wavy borders are not fun and ripping out is not a fun task - especially if it is an entire border. So glad you stopped by - hope you added yourself to the friend list! I would love to hear more tips on measuring and cutting! (I am jealous about you living in Canada! I live in the desert!)

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  84. Awwwwww... the giveaway sign up is officially closed :( I had so much fun this week meeting new friends, getting new tips and getting inspiration from you! Come back tomorrow for the announcement of the winner! Maybe I will get it up tonight :) Gotta watch Glee!

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment..... I love hearing from you....