Scoop: Two-Fer

teri • June 25, 2015 • 25 Comments

Quiltmaking essentials 1 donna lynn thomas that patchwork placeYep, we got a pair this time, both by the same auth0r. And they’re aces high–Quiltmaking Essentials 1: Cutting and Piecing Skills and On-Point Patchwork Fuss-Free Diagonals using the Omnigrid On-Point Ruler both by Donna Lynn Thomas and both published by Martingale/That Patchwork Place. Donna, a quilter since 1975, is an international teacher, author with Martingale/That Patchwork Place. She is a NQA Certified teacher and BERNINA Ambassador. Donna lives in Kansas with her husband, three cats and a dog.

B1272_Quiltmaking_Ess_4ths_PS_64.indd

00_COVER_B1272_QuiltmakingEssentials1Quiltmaking Essentials 1 Cutting and Piecing Skills is an up-to-date yet classic book on quilt-making technique. Donna shows how to read a ruler, clean our rotary cutter (what?! you’re supposed to clean your rotary cutter?), choose a cutting mat, cut our fabrics. Apparently pressing matters. Who knew? Some of us old timers do but this is a good reminder, with great suggestions for which way to press the seams. (Hint: we iron fabric and press seams.)

B1272_Quiltmaking_Ess_4ths_PS_64.indd

Throughout the book there are problem-solving tips like, “When you’ve mistakenly pressed seam allowances in the wrong direction, don’t try to re-press them directly from the wrong direction to the correct direction. First, you need to remove the original incorrect crease or the fabric won’t turn to the new position without a fight. To do this, arrange the pieced seam in it’s original unpressed position. Spray the seam  with water and press it flat, removing the original crease completely. Press until the moisture is gone. Once the original is completely eliminated, you can press in the new direction without difficulty.”

So even this old dog (23 years a quilter) has learned a new trick and it’s a “could’ve had a V-8 moment” because cotton has a memory, it will hold finger pressing for a long time. So add the heat from the iron and it’s set. Water and a little bit of time are the best erasers. B1272_Quiltmaking_Ess_4ths_PS_64.indd

Bonus: Omnigrid has a ruler that takes the guesswork out of measuring. Here’s a link to a tutorial on their blog.  In discussing this ruler with the author I realized it’s simple brilliance. Say we’re cutting squares that will finish at 3”. Line up the ruler on the 3” mark as the ruler has the quarter-inch seam allowance built in. There is an On Point Square Ruler as well.

 

on point patchwork donna lynn thomas
And now in a mad-dash for fun check out On-Point Patchwork Fuss-Free Diagonals using the Omnigrid On-Point Ruler.  Answering the perennial question, “Do I need another ruler or two?” Associate Editor Teri responds with a resounding, “YES!”  You do need both the On Point Ruler and the On Point Square by Omnigrid.” Teri spent a little bit of time getting to know the On Point ruler. It’s a companion ruler to our other Omnigrid rulers and a must-have.

Here’s the finished block:

finished block

Here’s how she got there:
Step 1: Read what I need to make the block and what I need to cut from each ruler.

On Point Ruler and fabrics for block

Fabric selection is hard work the batiks shown are courtesy of SewBatik

 

cutting strip at 3

The On-Point Ruler takes the guess work out with the built in seam allowance. What makes this different? There are no lines in the seam allowance.

cut half square triangles

Half-square triangles cut together and ready to piece.

 

quarter inch seam and leader

Using a leader (scrap of fabric to stitch on) helps get the seam started, this is particularly helpful when piecing half-square triangles.

pressing matters

Pressing matters! Press the seam to set, then press toward one side or the other. I pressed toward the blue.

trim bunny ears lay out and piece

Pressing the seams toward one side allows the seams to nest. Nesting the seams assures that they are nestled right next to each other and will line up when finished sewing.

 

fan seam

A nip of the seam will allow you to press the seams of the finished block in one direction, fanning out the center seam. This greatly reduces bulk in the center and makes for easier quilting later.

 

on point block adding setting triangles

The center seam allowance helps line up the setting triangles.

 

And of course we’re giving away a copy of each book with either the On Point Ruler or the On Point Square. Comment below and tell us your favorite quilt block. We’ll announce the winner Friday July 3.

Congratulations Commenter #8 – Maryann and Commenter #12 – Linda Brown – your numbers were selected by the Random Number Generator! Please contact Teri, teri@generationqmagazine.com with your contact information and we’ll get your prize out to you.

 

Quilt. Sew. Live. Breathe.

 

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Categories Scoop (reviews)

25 Comments

  • Dawn Jones • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #1

    Well I like many, but one of my favorites is the Bear’s Paw. Have a great day!

  • Emily C • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #2

    I love the star blocks.

  • Lori Morton • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #3

    Currently, my very Favorite Block is “Churn Dash”! Thanks for chance to win your Drawing! 🙂

  • duchick • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #4

    I would loooove this book and could learn so much! My favorite quilt block is the simple pinwheel. It can be so versatile with the colors and fabrics chosen…works for everyone!

  • Doris McCarty • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #5

    My favorite quilt block is four patch. So versatile in a quilt.

  • stanleybeagle • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #6

    It’s hard to choose but I think my fave is a pinwheel in a star (don’t know any technical names!)

  • Anita Emde • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #7

    I truly love them all! Log cabins are pretty fun though!
    Anita Emde

  • MaryAnn • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #8

    The pinwheel block is my go to block. It’s easy, fun, and because of the fabric used different every time.

  • Jen B • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #9

    Log cabin is my favourite block.

  • Katy M • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #10

    I love log cabins 🙂

  • Marian • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #11

    Double nine patch

  • Linda Brown • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #12

    I like the Churn Dash block

  • quiltzyx • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #13

    9-Patch is my favorite.

  • Chris • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #14

    I love Granny Squares, they are addictive for me.

  • Beth T. • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #15

    My favorite is the log cabin, the block to which I always return.

  • sisylyn53 • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #16

    I like the log czbin
    gandn74@ymail.com

  • Lou • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #17

    I know it’s old school but I love the cathedral window pattern!!

  • Hexy Lady • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #18

    Log Cabin for me lately.

  • lauren m • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #19

    my favorite block is the log cabin (I love these in modern fabrics!)

  • Janie • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #20

    I like the pinwheel block. Thank you!

  • mumbird3 • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #21

    I go ape over the Monkey Wrench! 🙂

  • Jen B • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #22

    If it has a star I like it! Makes me daydream!

  • Jerriann C. • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #23

    Ooh, I love cathedral windows.

  • Karen G. • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #24

    I love the “card trick” block I learned from an Eleanor Burns book several years ago.

  • Margo • 9 years ago
    COMMENT #25

    I love Friendship Star! It was my first baby quilt for my grandson!

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