I had the very good fortune of meeting Sandi Blackwell in Houston for Quilt Market 2010. Sandi's first book is Very Impressive!!! Each time I go to Market I typically find one book or tool that I've never seen before and I think is innovative and truly new. This time it was Sandi's book entitled, " Square-agonals."
Square-agonals is a New Angle on Quilting
No Math!
No Cutting or Setting Triangles!
Turn Easy-Stitched Blocks and Rows into Stunning Diagonal Designs
I know many quilters who cringe when they see the word triangle. Sandi has developed a method where you sew blocks together in rows and no triangles!! I won't give away all the magic of the book but I will show you a few photos I took that gives you a little glimpse into how it is done.....just so you know you can do it too :)
Although Sandi explains the mathematics behind Square-agonlas you don't need to understand the method in order to make any of the 14 patterns in the book. 
The blocks are sewn together in rows and then the quilt gets cut into three sections and reassembled ....that is what gives you the diagonal set design.
You are looking at how the fabric was cut and the tape is "Arrow Guide Tape." The tape makes a great visual guide for cutting as well as stabilizes the bias fabric that you cut. You don't have to purchase the "Arrow Guide Tape" to use her method either....she told us we could use our own tape but that she has developed the tape just to keep things simple. I like that!!
Isn't it amazing that Sandi has figured out how to go from the blocks on the left to the beautiful table runner on the right? (not to scale of course...I know someone was thinking....miracle grow for fabric right?)
You have to click here and see all of the quilts that have been made using Sandi's Square-agonals method. You'll be really surprised to see how incredible they are and no one had to sew a triangle.
I made certain I was in line to get an autographed copy of Sandi's book, Square-agonals, for one very lucky IHAN blog reader. I was not going to miss this one!!! So if you would like to have a chance to own an autographed copy of Square-agonals please leave a comment on this post telling me why you would like to own this book. I will choose a winner by random on Friday night December, 3rd.
Smiles,
Kelly
I would love a copy, this method looks pretty cool!
ReplyDeleteThat is the coolest thing yet!!! I would like one so I can be lazy-----I mean smart at making triangles without actually making a triangle!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy you are offering this book to your blog readers:)
Why do I want this amazing looking book! Because it leaves out the math, that's why!!! Wow to make triangles that are constructed from squares. Sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteI will be number one, so I won't win, lol.
ReplyDeleteI Still have the book I won from you and other things I want to try, so have more than enough to learn this year;)
Debbie
Brillant!! I would love a copy of this book because as a new quilter, I need all the help I can get. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'd love this book - I can use all the help I can get. Thanks for the chance to win it! :o)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win that book!!! Triangles terrify me! LOL She is so clever to come up with this easy way to piece!
ReplyDeleteQuilts with no math? I'm there!
ReplyDeleteWow, there are alot of quilting over-achievers out there! Where do they come up with this stuff? ;) I would love to own this book - I enjoy learning new techniques and twists on old techniques. Makes every quilting day a good day!
ReplyDeleteI see lots of scrap quilts made with this. And I would love to win to use up some of my scraps.
ReplyDeleteI am starting a new quilt ministry and am looking for easy quick designs...this looks perfect!!!
ReplyDeleteHow cool that she came up with this!
I absolutely love to learn of what other quilters 'invent' to make our quilting lives easier.
ReplyDeleteThe technique shown here has my interest piqued.
How in heaven's name does this idea pop into someone's brain? I think people like this are to be admired.
Would love to have this book.
So, I'd love to be the lucky winner.
Hugs,
Gerry
Seriously neat! Love when somebody comes up with something NEW and different! Thank you.
ReplyDeletewow, Kelly! What a generous offer! I love learning new tricks..who says this old dog can't learn them!!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with robin above... no math quilting ROCKS!! Thanks for the givaway! polly
ReplyDeleteWow, Kelly,
ReplyDeleteHow Generous! I am new to quilting and can use all the help I can get. I would make a happy home for that wonderful book. Thanks for the chance to win.
The book would make a wonderful addition to my growing quilting book library. This method looks quite interesting. I would enjoy giving it a try. Happy quilting!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. Would love to try her ideas.
ReplyDeleteRosemary
cntryways@att.net
What fun! I would love to win this book!
ReplyDeleteWow, this sounds like a great book. I would like to make triangles from squares. Thank you for the give away.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book because it sounds great to use tape to stabilize the bias when sewing triangles! The photos of the demo look beautiful too Kelly!
ReplyDeleteI've made a few quilts on point, love the look hate the work. Sandi's Square-agonals method looks very interesting...and fun. As always, thanks for a great giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI am always making extra triangles when I make a quilt. My triangles are not always square. I would love this book. Thank -you for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteThe quilts made with this method look great. I would like to win and learn this method because I am mathematically challenged and I am certain this would help.
ReplyDeleteThanks for always thinking of us.
Chris
I'm not brave when it comes to patterns with triangles. So this book would surely be great!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great technique for quilts. Would love to win a copy!
ReplyDeleteI've fought with triangles before...
ReplyDeleteIt looks quick and easy, just what I need. And no diagonals to stretch. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI would love a copy of this book. With my back having issues this year, anything to help aid in easier cutting would rock my day.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a very interesting method... Not having to think about the math sounds great.
ReplyDeleteI would love this book because I suck at getting triangle points to match and this looks like a method that would work for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm a beginner and haven't gotten up the courage to try any diagonals yet. This looks fan-tas-tic!!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis looks awesome Kelly. I'm very intrigued.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win this book, the quilts look super.
ReplyDeleteWow, that girl is brillant. Thanks for the giveaway Kelly.
ReplyDeleteMath is not one of my strong points and I do not like triangles. This books seems like a dream come true. I would love to be the lucky owner.
ReplyDeleteSandra
I not only WANT this book, I NEED this book. I have the WORST trouble with set in triangles...and I was good in math at school. I just can't seem to get my head around it.
ReplyDeletePLEASE, OH PLEASE pick me!!!!
Love your blog and all your crafty goodness on here.
Marilyn
marilynjw1971@gmail.com
I've done a little of this myself so would love to see how she develops it more fully.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great new concept. Would luv a copy of the book!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a fast and easy method of piecing. I would use this book for my church's Hugs Ministry. We make quilts, pair them with stuffies and give them to the local fire department for kids in crisis situations. Thank you for the opportunity to win this book. Take care and God bless, Cory
ReplyDeleteI would love a copy of the book. It is the coolest thing I've seen in a long time.
ReplyDeleteWow! Another great idea and terrific giveaway. Thanks, Kelly. With all the charm squares being used out there....this is perfect. I'm crossing my fingers and toes on this one.
ReplyDeleteI hope this isn't a repeat comment. My computer froze. Just delete it, Kelly, if it's a duplicate.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great idea and terrific giveaway. Thanks, Kelly.
With all the charm squares being used out there, the timing of this one is perfect. I'm crossing my fingers and my toes....gotta win it.
Oh WOW that would be an awesome tool to own! If I don't win, I'll have to go look it up!
ReplyDeleteI'm game to try something new. And with your stamp of approval, it must be great!!
ReplyDeleteIt really amazes me how quilters can always come up with new ideas! I would love to win this book! I have not tried on point yet, now with this method, I see myself making some awesome quilts!
ReplyDeleteI've been using Thangles and have to admit that I'm not overly thrilled with them. I'm not a real experience quilter, but I try .
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Square agonals just might make this easier for me. I would love to have a copy!
I'd love to have a copy of the book to have a go at that amazing concept. I know that a lot of quilting is based on maths(one of the things I like about quilting!), but I'd love to know this next bit of 'maths magic'!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great way to do the triangles.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book. I am learning challenged when it comes to sewing triangles and getting them the correct size they are supposed to be. I love the look of half square triangle bolocks and this would really help me. Thanks for the give away.
ReplyDeleteI think that's so cool, I don't know how people come up with new stuff like that! I'd love to get a chance to try out this idea, making triangles isn't my favorite quilting technique :-o
ReplyDeleteNo math? Geez, that's a book written for me!! Economical use of fabric? That's the style for me! I'm always trying different layouts, looking to make as little scrap as possible - for me, every inch counts! My imagination's gone into overdrive, thinking of the possiblities! And if YOU say it's good, then it's GREAT! Thank you for the opportunity to learn about the book and even to WIN the book! You rock!!
ReplyDeleteThis is cool. I just saw a triangle quilt that wowed me. While I can cut triangles, our old sewing machine eats them up no matter what tricks we attempt. To start with squares and then cut them - what a wonderful idea. Please enter me into your drawing. Sorry you had such problems with the linky thingy - though I am blogless. Will check back and see if things are behaving better latter.
ReplyDeleteI love using simple creative methods to achieve complicated quilt patterns. This is one book I have to have.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like the coolest way to do triangles that I have ever seen. Even if I don't win I am going to have to get me one of those books. You know books are like fabric, hard to resist.
ReplyDeleteHi As a mathematician, this book really appeals to me. I would love to have a go. Thanks again for making this possible. Sam sdownes@oceanbroadband.net
ReplyDeleteI'm usually not impressed with new quilting books but this one is based on a fascinating method. I will have to keep this book in mind to get in the near future --- unless I'm that lucky person.
ReplyDeleteI would like this book because it would be awesome to make a complicated piece using a really simple method!
ReplyDeleteI am a new quilter, and I love learning new techniques that help me develop and grow as a crafter! I love your blog, you have such a great variety of subjects you cover, the pictures and people you share with us are a real inspiration! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh - I NEED this book!! I love quilts that are set on point.... But, I have always been too "afeared" to attempt them! I would love to learn this methold (all the math for setting triangles just makes my head spin)! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the chance to enter this giveaway! *smiles*
I would love a copy to add to my sewing library! Thanks for the great site!
ReplyDeleteI would love this book as I have a terrible time with triangles. Looks very, very interesting. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I missed this giveaway. That's for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteBillie
Would love to win this book. Sqaure-agonals is a brilliant idea! Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an awesome new method. I have such a time sewing bias edges and not stretching them. I think this would really make a difference. Quilting has grown so over the years with different methods. Quilters amaze me with their creativity.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting technique! Thank you for the give away!
ReplyDeleteSheialC
Ooohhh yes please :) I would love to win the book as I love using triangles. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great and new idea!! I would love to have this book! How nice of you to giveaway your autographed copy.
ReplyDeletemdehoop@hotmail.com
Hi Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI woulk love to win this book because it looks like a quick way to make the quilts that are set on angle.
Terry
tdavis5@alliancecable.net
What a neat idea for a book! This looks like a fun technique.
ReplyDeleteMicki
well doen't this method look interesting. I would love to try it out ....
ReplyDeleteI need this because math and me just do not get along!
ReplyDeleteJust thinking of all the mistakes I have made trying to sew with triangles...why didn't I think of this? I need this book.
ReplyDeleteI would like to Square-agonals book to learn how to deal with triangles better. Do it smarter and easier, not harder!
ReplyDeleteI only have a short comment. One word describes that book: Simplicity
ReplyDeleteI'd love see more about this technique. Way to go Sandi...you rock. And thanks Kelly for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing! I actually flunked general math in high school. Algebra was a wash for me. It's a wonder they let me graduate. My brain is so awful at math that when my calculator batteries run low I still believe it when it says 6 X 7 = 587.32567892. I NEED this book to keep me sane. I want this book to make beautiful quilts like those pictured. It's a win / win situation for me. I promise to name my first non triangle quilt after you.
ReplyDeleteWould love a copy of this book...and free is good!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me laugh because its the only way I quilt and have been doing it for years!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win a copy of this book. I LOVE to learn new things and I am always greatful for the people who can come up with these new techniques!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book. I like to learn new things and am very thankful for those people that come up with these new techniques to make our quilters experience easier.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of sewing squares together then cutting them apart on the diagonal. Anita Hallock did it way back when with Fast Patch.
ReplyDelete