Pre-Cuts and Scraps.....What to do?

If you are like most folks, then you are cutting back and working on de-stashing and using up scraps to make some fun things for Spring......and other celebrations of life (birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, new babies etc.)  What ever the occasion is for you and your family, I think you may just find some inspiration in the two new books I have reviewed for Martingale & Co. 

Since I get to select the books I want to review, it is almost a sure bet that I'm going to like them or there is there is something about the book that grabbed my attention....either the author or the subject....there is always a thread I'm wanting to tug to see what unravels.

More Loose Change, 14 Quilts from Nickles, Dimes and Fat Quarters

by Claudia Plett and Le Ann Weaver

How many charm square packages or layer cakes do you have in your stash right now?  Fat Quarters and Fat Quarter Bundles?  I have to admit that I have 2 Layer Cakes and 4-6 Charm Square packages.....and probably 6 Fat Quarter Bundles if not more.  Why do I have them?  The only one's I know why I bought were a few of the Charm Square packages I bought for a I-Spy block exchange.  After I bought them I felt bad because they were pre-cut and I kept them instead of including them in the swap (felt like I was cheating by not cutting my own).   The rest....I don't remember....but I really liked the fabric.  I want these fabrics to be used so I don't end up with "moldy oldies!"  Hence my interest in More Loose Change, 14 Quilts from Nickles, Dimes, and Fat Quarters.

Claudia and LeAnn have put together a very fun book.  They have coded their patterns $, $$, and $$$ (Simple, Intermediate and Experienced) for skill level.  I just so happen to fall into every one of those categories....depending on what day it is.  The introductions talks a little about charm squares (nickles), layer cakes (dimes) and quarters (fat quarters) as well as color arrangement.  I think the book is well written....plenty of photos and diagrams and the wording was clear (you know that is really something when I say that....cuz I have the hardest time understanding sometimes).

Honestly there is not a pattern in this book that I would not consider making but the two that I would consider making first are: 

"Liquid Assets" appealed to me because of focus fabric inside the circles.  Here they have chosen fish fabric and the circles look like port holes.  I could just as easily see any other fun print inside the circles and the outside fabrics complimenting what ever your theme would be.  The other thing that really surprised me was the way they put their pattern together.  I think this looks like a rather difficult pattern and guess what?  I'd not.  I'm not going to give their secrets away....let me just say they show you how to maximize the use of your fabrics while showing you how to get the fun results below.

The other pattern that I want to show you is their "Pumpernickel."  As I'm writing this I can't remember how many photos I'm allowed to use from the book....clearly if you were writing books you would not want the world to post all of the patterns on the internet....so if I've gone too far....I might have to come back and delete a photo or two....I'm always flying by the seat of my pants....and of late....my thin memory.

Here they have used black as a background and I like that.  I see lots of colorful quilts set on black or white to enhance the other fabrics used.  Think about how many fabrics you could use up if you made this quilt....and who would not love to be the recipient of a "Pumpernickel" quilt?  I would....so get to stitchin' : )

S is for SCRAPS, 18 Great Quilts

by Gayle Bong

The scrap table at my guild meeting is always full of free fabric.  Does your group or guild have a free table at their meetings?  If not, you might want to consider starting one.  I am always marveling at the free fabrics that return to the guild meeting for show and tell after they have been transformed into beautiful quilts.  S is for SCRAPS, 18 Great Quilts made me think of all of those transformed beauties so I had to see what Gayle had to say about scraps. 

When I read a quilting book, the first thing I notice is how the person writes.  When I am reading I want to feel like I can almost hear the person speaking to me....more of a conversation than a recipe is my preference.  Gayle has done just that.  Her writing style is personal and informative.  She has provided lots of tips for organizing your scraps and a variety of ways to consider grouping your fabrics for a project. 

"Joy in the Morning" is an example of what I would consider to be a "easy" project that would make a lovely quilt for almost any occasion...including charity quilts.  I can't share how Gayle recommends putting this pretty pattern together but I can tell you that it goes together very nicely and Gayle has given you plenty of good directions and diagrams.  There are 17 other patterns that work very well for using up scraps.  I'm feeling guilty for all the photos I've already shared so I'm not going to continue on and on.  Suffice to say I definitely think  S is for Scraps would be a great addition to every-one's quilt reference library. 

While reading both of these books, More Loose Change and S is for Scraps, I was thinking about my own stash and the tools I find to be so useful when quilting.  Starting with pre-cuts can really cut down on prep time before stitching.  If you don't have pre-cuts you can certainly make your own.  I thought I'd post a few ways to make your own pre-cuts faster if you have the fabric but not the pre-cuts. I also included two tools I love for bindings.

Under 20.00
Creative Grids Template Set On Point Charming 5 Square
Creative Grids Quilting Ruler 5 1/2in Square
Cut a Round Tool Midi
Perfect Half-Square & Quarter-Square Triangles

Under 40.00
Shape Cut Plus Template

Over 50.00
Manual

Sizzix Big Shot (dies required)
Sizzix Big Shot Pro (dies required)
GO! Baby (dies required)
GO! Fabric Cutter (dies required)

Electric- Great for those with arthritis or any other concerns that make manual cutting difficult

Sizzix Big Shot Express (dies required)
Sizzix Vagabond (dies required)

BINDING-  under 20.00

When it comes to binding....these are some IHAN favorites

CutRite Bind Up Template 
 Simpli-EZ Bias Ruler

Hopefully these are tools you already know about from reading the IHAN blog.  If not, check them out by clicking on the words as they are linked.  You can also read more about them by reading the reviews of these products on the sidebar of this blog....see....right over there on the right hand side of the blog...yes...right there :)

If you are still with me and you want an opportunity to put your name into a drawing for More Loose Change  and S is for Scraps (one book per winner-two winners will be chosen) then leave a comment on this post telling me which one you would like to win and why you want the book.  Two names will be drawn at random on Saturday April 30, 2010.  Good luck!

Smiles,
Kelly

Quick Strips, Circles, Hearts, Triangles, Diamonds, Hexagons and Squares for Quilters

This is somewhat of a follow up from yesterdays post about Fabric Cutters.  As I said, I get lots of e-mails and phone calls about which Fabric Cutter is the best etc.  Typically the first thing I ask is, "What are you planning to do with it?" 

I know for myself I first became interested in buying a Fabric Cutter when I participated in Karen's I-Spy Block Exchange.  I cut so may 5 x 5 or 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch blocks (I can't even remember now) with the same ruler.  I'm a pretty particular person (just ask MJ) when it comes to cutting.  There were so many different size blocks when I was finished I was frustrated and disgusted.  Because the blocks were going to be swapped, I certainly did not want to be the one swapper that gave blocks that you could not have a 1/4 inch seam allowance and still come out with the same size block as the rest of the swappers.  So I bought an AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter.  All my blocks were exact and that was huge for me. 

So, what is it that draws you to a Fabric Cutter?  Is it your hands?  If you have pain in your hands or are unable to use a rotary cutter safely or easily then you may find a Fabric Cutter a great way to continue doing the hobby that you love for a very long time.  If it is your hands....are you going to be able to comfortably turn the handle on a Fabric Cutter?  Are you wanting to cut a few layers at a time or do you want to cut more than 6 at one time?  Is it time you want to save?  Are you planning on making kits where you will be using your cutter more than a few times per month?  Are you mainly cutting blocks, strips, circles, triangles or do you love applique and want to be able to cut some fun designs that are almost impossible without a Fabric Cutter? 

Not everyone needs a Fabric Cutter!!!  Viral advertising in the quilting world has had a bit of a backlash lately and some people are tired of even hearing about these products.  My position is, the more information you have the better you are at making a decision about if you need one and if so, which one is best for your particular needs.  No need to keep up with the Jones folks....keep the joy of quilting in focus and use the tools you need to achieve these ends and you will have just what YOU need and not what someone else needs or has.  (Don't I sound like a Mom?....yikes, I thought that would never happen to me...never say never ay?)

If you use a rotary cutter without pain or discomfort I think you need to know about the following templates for cutting shapes.  They are a wonderful alternative to dies that can be expensive.

Cutting Circles

Circles and More Ruler designed by Lacy Hill

I own this ruler and it is a great ruler.  It is the perfect everyday 4" x 18" ruler with an added bonus of holes every ½" in the center to quickly mark circles up to 34" in diameter with ease. It can also help mark scallops on quilt borders!  You will need a marking pencil or tool that will fit into the holes.  A Gel Pen works great for me. 

The Circles and More Ruler has ⅛" and ¼" marks along the edges with ½" dotted lines and 1" solid lines so that it's not too cluttered! It also has a 30º and a 45º angle for reference along with the circle holes.

With a little math and pre-planning the ruler can help you mark beautiful scallops on the borders of your quilts. Three-quarters of a circle for the corners and half circles placed in between.  

 Cut Around Mini

You fold your fabric into quarters with the folded corner facing the bottom of the template and cut circles from 2 to 8 inches.  You will need a 28mm rotary cutter to cut with this ruler. 

 Cut Around Tool Midi

Use the same as above but you get circles from 4 to 12 inches.  You will also need to use a 28mm rotary cutter.

 Cut Around Tool

Again, works like the ones above but you will get circles from 6 to 17 inches and it requires a 45mm rotary cutter.

Easy Circle Cut Ruler

Cuts circles from 2-10 inches and requires a 18mm rotary cutter.

Cutting Hearts

If you cut a lot of hearts this template would be a great alternative to using a Fabric Cutting die.

 Easy Hearts Acrylic Template

You can cut 5 sizes of hearts from 4 1/4 x 4 inch hearts to 10 1/2 x 11 1/2 " hearts using the EZ 18mm Rotary Cutter.

Cutting or Marking Scallops

I think these are neat for cutting or marking scallops:

Scallop Radial Ruler 2in to 5in - Mini

You can use this on any size projects like quilts, clothing, place mats, napkins, children's clothing....and lots more things once you get your creative juices flowing.  They are great for marking quilting or applique lines too.   The Arc's length is 2", 3", 4" and 5".  The templates are made from 1/8 " acrylic and the lines are easy to read in black (unless of course you are using black fabric....that makes it a little more difficult).

Scallop Radial Rule 6in to 10in - Large

This one works the same and the one mentioned above it has Arc lengths of  6", 7", 8", 9" and 10".

Cutting Strips, Blocks, Rectangles, Diamonds,

Hexagons  and Triangles

Exact Eighths Ruler

You can cut multiple strips quickly and accurately in all increments of 3/8in and 7/8in. These eighth inch increments are used for popular quilt blocks, such as half-square triangles and flying geese blocks.  I layer up my fabric and don't have a problem getting my cuts accurate.

Quarter Cut Template

Use as traditional quilting rulers or cut in slots. Use cutting slots to safely cut multiple strips quickly and accurately. Turn the ruler after strips are cut to complete squares, triangles, diamonds and hexagons. Cutting slots great for cutting perfect fringe. Right or left handed use.

Shape Cut for Strips/Block Template

Cut multiple strips from 1/2in up to 12in, 1/2in increments. Save time on repetitive cuts for strip quilting. Turn Shape Cut after strips are cut to complete squares, triangles, diamonds or chevrons with ease.  I use this one when I cut strips for my coil bowls.  I fold my fabric in layers and put the ruler on top and get to cutting....no problems with accuracy here :)

Shape Cut Plus

The Shape Cut Plus is 12"x 18" and  there is a 1/4" line that will let you cut in 1/4" as well as 1/2" increments. Just cut strips, then turn for complete squares, triangles, diamonds, chevrons and hexagons. You can even cut several layers of fabric at one time. The slots will hold your cutter in place, so it can't shift.

To view a demo video click here. 

                                                    

Shape Cut Pro

The Shape Cut Pro has rotary cutting slots in 2 1/2in increments to easily cut strips and squares. Perfect for creating your own 2 1/2in jellyrolls and 5in charm squares. Extra large 20in x 23in grid allows you to quickly cut full width of fabric.

Shape Cut Sprint

This ruler allows cuts in multiples of 2-1/2in, so 5in charm squares and 10in layer cake blocks can also be cut quickly and accurately. Works perfectly with pre-purchased jelly roll fabrics, fat quarters, or any fabric a Quilter may have in their stash.

Perfect Half-Square and Quarter-Square Triangles

The ruler has a guide to mark the sewing and cutting line. Center your square on the 45-degree marking and square up the finished block. Piece two half- squares together to make perfect quarter-square triangle.

Diamond Cut

This template is great for cutting 60 degree diamonds.  You can cut 1in to 6in diamonds in 1/4in increments without measuring. Simply place slotted ruler on fabric strip and cut in the slots.

So, how many of you learned something from this post?  Did you know about all these rulers/templates that are relatively inexpensive compared to cutting dies for Fabric Cutting Systems?  They are also easier to store and you probably already own a good rotary cutter and mat right?  I'm not trying to talk anyone out of buying something they may want and or need....however I like to know my options before I invest.

Smiles,

Kelly