We have been busy here at the shop creating finishing kits and blocks for this years shop hops.  The hardest part is always, you know that word a lot of us try to avoid, math!!  What if you had a handy set of numbers to use for your calculations?  Using our hand held devices, such as phones, tablets or even a pencil,  and some quick measurements we can create masterpieces.

So what numbers do we need?

Let's talk half square triangles. 

 We all use them in all sorts of fantastic ways.  They are probably the most versatile building tool we all can master.  But when we design our own blocks how big do we cut the squares to use for the traditional method of half square triangle creation?

Easy!

Just add 7/8 of an inch to the size you want the triangle to finish.

If you are using a calculator you can just use .875 as the number to add.

For example:   If you want the half square triangle to be a finished 1 inch in                               your quilt cut your squares 1 7/8.

                        If you want one to  finish 1 1/2 inches then just add 1.5 + .875=                           2.37. This then converts to 2 3/8 for the cut size.

Here's a helpful fraction conversion chart for when you use those pesky fractions on your device:

How about quarter square triangles?

This time you just add 1 1/4 inches to each finished size.

So if you want 1 inch finished quarter square triangles you cut 2 1/4 squares.

Done!

Now how about setting triangles?  Those wonderful side triangles and corner triangles to make beautiful on point quilts.

Side/ Setting Triangles

Take the finished size of your block and divide by 1.414.  Round this number up to match a common number found on most rulers.  Then add 1 1/4 to that number.  Cut a square of fabric the number you just calculated and cut on both diagonals to get the side triangles. Yields 4 side triangles.

Corner Triangles

Take the finished size of your block and divide by 1.414 just like the side triangles.  Round up.  Then add 7/8 to that number.  Cut a square of fabric the number you just calculated and cut on one diagonal.  Yields 2 corner triangles.

So now the question is what quilt will you design with your new found knowledge?

Being we are inspired by measurements this week our in store 

Sale for Saturday, July 8th

20% off Any One Regular Priced Ruler!

Just Keep Sewing, 

Enjoy,

The Quilt Place

In Stitches

We know you probably have scraps.  Ok, actually we are sure you have scraps!

What do you do with them?

Do you choose to sew them randomly together in a fun, unique pattern or do you sort and store them for future use?

We love to take the free quilt patterns offered by many fabric companies and convert them to use our scraps.  

Just a few links to wonderful, and free, patterns are listed below:

http://hoffmanfabrics.com/free-quilt-patterns/

http://blog.modafabrics.com/funfree/free-patterns/

http://www.inthebeginningfabrics.com/freepatterns.htm

https://www.andoverfabrics.com/FreeQuiltPatterns.php

We also love to use templates that are designed for scraps such as the mini pineapple trim tool, the log cabin trim tools and the cats cradle tool, by Creative Grids.   

Many of you already own those tools and many others, so break them out and create something scrappy today!  Or if you do not own these tools yet check out their videos below to see just how much fun you could have with your scraps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx9sMqwk2vw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZN1_OSyUco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIhgDEmpxw8

So get that bin out from under your bed and start sewing today.

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Blog Super Saturday Sale

This Saturday, July 1st

In store only

BOGO BOOK SALE

That is right, buy one regular priced book and get one FREE!

Hundreds to choose from.

Just mention the sale and you get the price!!

Keep Sewing,

The Quilt Place

Who doesn't love a                         BOGO!  

A true BOGO, not a buy one get one half or 20% off but  

Buy one Get One Free!!

We love BOGO too!

This Saturday, June 17th, we are having an extra special, in store,

BOGO for our blog readers!!!

ALL REGULAR PRICE KITS 

are 

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE !!! 

The sale is for one day only so make sure to get all that you need and perhaps a few extra too!!

While you shop, be sure to check out our vast collection of notions and thread to help you sew together those kits!

**For our online customers put two or more kits in the cart and get 50% off. **

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Do you have a quilt that you have always wanted to create? 

 One quilt that we have been asked about more than any other is a Tee-Shirt quilt.

What makes the Tee-Shirt quilt unique is the fact that most of the time you are sewing with one of a kind items that are precious to the person you are creating the quilt for.  They tell a story, a history, of the person who wore them.  

So how do you create a quilt that will stand the test of time? 

You take your time to get to know the person you are creating the quilt for.  Know their favorite colors, patterns and textures.  Are they modern or traditional?  Any information you can have about the person the better.

What pattern do you use?  

So many people are afraid that a Tee quilt has to be created using a, "Tee-Shirt Quilt" specific pattern.  Not true.

Any pattern that features larger squares that can be featured will work.  It should be a pattern with fewer seams so the quilt does not become too bulky.  

Some perfect examples would be-

 What do you do to stabilize the shirts?  Our recommendation is to use Shape-Flex.  It is an iron on woven stabilizer designed for knits and other stretch fabrics. This will stop the Tee from curling and from stretching when sewing. Just iron the Shape-Flex to the back of the section of the Tee that you want to cut out.  Then cut to the size you desire.  

Then just get started.  Enjoy the process and love the smiles of the special person the quilt was created for.

Until next time.

Keep Sewing,

The Quilt Place

We are so excited to be blogging again.  Many of you may remember our long ago blog entitled- In Stitches!  

Well, we are back!  And living in the memory of our past have kept the same name.   What better way to celebrate all that there is about sewing and quilting but with some stitches between friends.  We hope you can join us weekly while we discuss new and unique things that we have discovered in the quilting world or at least in our own shop!  Find out about one of a kind products, events and even tips on a weekly basis.  We hope you join us regularly.

Something new that you may have noticed on our home page is that we are now advertising, "Coming Soon", products.  For example the Hummingbird Lane kit.  It will be a hot item here in the store so we wanted to give our customers a chance to reserve their kit before it arrives.  Have you noticed that magazines always advertise products long before you see them in the shops and then by the time it arrives it is sold out before you can get it?  Well we believe that we can help- order it when you see it and we will have it packaged and shipped as soon as it arrives in the shop! 

Our other exciting bit of news relates to our sister shop, Fabric, Fabric, Fabric.  This is our small, "outlet", shop that offers fantastic prices on the high quality quilt fabric we all love.  Nothing is ever priced over $8 at Fabric, Fabric, Fabric and they receive new merchandise on a regular basis!!  They have their own website at: fabricx3.com. You should give it a try!

The exciting news this week is they just brought in all 133 colors of Fossil Fern!  That is right all 133 colors.  If you love Fossil Fern now is the time to stock up on all of your favorite colors.  We are also attaching a link to a free pattern for you to see how much fun you can have with this very unique collection.

http://www.benartex.com/fabric-gallery.html/?collection=980&limit=all

That's all for today!

Keep sewing,

The Quilt Place