How to Get Accurate Half-Square Triangles

Do you have problems getting accurate half-square triangles? I’ve found a tool that really helps me to get precise half-square triangles. Let me tell you about it.

There are various methods to make a half-square triangle and I’ve tried just about every one – and still wasn’t pleased with the results. I love the look of half-square triangle designs, but didn’t like my results when I used them in my projects. I’ve finally found the perfect tool to give me accurate half-square triangles every time: the Tucker Trimmer.

The Tucker Trimmer by Studio 180 Design is an acrylic tool that comes in several sizes but the one I use the most is the Tucker Trimmer 1. You can make half-square triangles from 1” to 6” with this particular size of the Tucker Trimmer. Since I usually make small half-square triangles, this size works well for me.

The Tucker Trimmers can be used by right and left handed quilters and instructions are given for both. You can make half-square triangles in whole number sizes (1”, 2”, etc.) or in fractions (1½”, 2½”, etc.). I like it when a tool can be used for a variety of sizes as this makes it very practical and eliminates the need for purchasing a tool for every size.

The idea behind the Tucker Trimmers is that you make a half-square triangle a little bit bigger than you want the actual size to be and then you trim it down to the desired size. For example, if I want a 2½” half-square triangle, I might be starting out with one that is 2¾”. Yes, you will be cutting a little bit off each side, but this is how you get that super precise half-square triangle that will make such a difference in your project.

To see exactly how to use the Tucker Trimmer 1, click on the image below.

Have you ever used one of the Tucker Trimmers to make your half-square triangles? Let me know your perfect method for creating half-square triangles in the Comments below.

Creatively,

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Needle and Threads for Free Motion Quilting

Every quilter needs to know how to quilt their quilt. Whether they free motion quilt it or prefer to do walking foot quilting, they need to know what threads and needles to use when quilting.

I recently had a discussion with Allison Spence of Meadow Rose Quilts (Handi Quilter national educator and Superior Threads’ certified educator) about the type of needles and threads that work best when free motion quilting. There are different weights and compositions of thread and some work better than others when doing this type of quilting. Once you’ve chosen your thread, then you have to match it with an appropriate needle.

Click on the image below to learn more about choosing the "right" needles and threads for free motion quilting.

What type of thread do you prefer to use when quilting? Let me know in the comments below.

Creatively,

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5 Quick Quilt Tips to Save Time and Frustration

Here are 5 quick quilt tips that can save you time and frustration:

1. Having problems threading your sewing machine? First, check your manual to be sure that you are following the exact threading path - it's easy to miss out on one and it makes a HUGE difference! Pay special attention to whether your presser foot should be up or down when threading the machine - machines do vary on this, so again, refer to your manual. If your sewing machine doesn't have an automatic needle threader, it can be hard to see the hole in the needle. To make it easier to see the needle hole, hold a coloured piece of paper behind the needle. This should make it just a bit easier.

2. While your walking foot is great for walking foot quilting, I like to use it when stitching on borders or other long strips of fabric. It helps to prevent that "fabric slide" that can happen when the top fabric is getting pushed along at a quicker rate than the bottom fabric resulting in an overlap at the end. 

3. Do you ever make mistakes and cut the wrong width when cutting fabric strips? When you are cutting multiple strips, put painter's tape or washi tape on the back of your ruler at the desired measurement. It's much easier to cut the right width of strips when there is a mark to show you where to cut!

Image courtesy of craftsy.com

4. Your mobile phone can be one of your best quilting tools! If you are trying out different block arrangements in a quilt, it can be hard to remember which variation you preferred. To help with this, I take photos with my phone and can then later compare the various layouts to choose the one I like the most. This method also makes it easy to share these photos in the Chatterbox Quilts' Facebook group to ask for other members' opinions - always helpful! I also use my phone to determine which fabric is darker or to tell if there is enough contrast between fabrics by taking black and white photos of the fabrics with my iPhone. 

5. Do you want to save time and avoid hurt fingers? Use the Multi-Purpose Quilt Spray to sandwich your quilts. Not yet using this method? Click here to get the FREE recipe and instructions. You'll love it - and your fingers will thank you :)

You may be interested in the guide “Time Saving Tips for Quilters” where I have compiled a list of time saving tips. Click here is you want more information.

Creatively,

What a Beginner Quilter Really Needs

When you first start quilting, you can quickly be overwhelmed by the notions and accessories that you "need" to quilt. Kim shows you what essentials you actually need to have in your tool kit when you first start quilting.

While you may add more items to your quilt studio as you progress in your quilting journey, you really need the following items to start:

A rotary cutter
A cutting mat (or self-healing mat)
A quilting ruler
An iron
A pressing surface (tutorial on making a pressing surface is below)
Pins
Seam ripper (yes, you will use this a time or two!)
Fabric
Batting
Multi-Purpose Quilt Spray (recipe and information below)
Sewing Machine with 1/4" foot, walking foot and free motion or darning foot

To learn more, click on the image below.

What are the essentials that you think a beginning quilter needs? Let me know in the comments below.

Creatively,

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Product Review: Huion L4S Light Pad

After years of tracing appliqué designs onto fusible web without the aid of a light table, I finally gave in and purchased a light pad to make it easier to do this. While I’ve been using a window, when required, this doesn’t work very well at night, so I thought that having a light pad would be a big help.

I hadn’t looked at light tables or pads for several years and was pleasantly surprised to find that there have been big improvements in this area. Previously light tables were thick and bulky and were rather pricey. In searching for a light pad, I discovered that there are now a variety of choices in different price points making it easy for you to find exactly the size you want at a price with which you can be comfortable.

Image courtesy of www.amazon.com

I chose the Huion L4S light pad due to the price point and the size. While I do have to plug it into the USB port on my laptop to use it (I could’ve bought a battery option, which was quite a bit more expensive), I don’t find that this is an inconvenience.

Image courtesy of www.amazon.com

Once I’ve plugged it into my laptop, I press the button to turn it on and hold my finger there until it reaches the desired brightness. The nice feature of this light pad is that the light on it is dimmable. By simply keeping my finger on the on/off button, the light on it will dim. A nice feature to have! The Huion L4S light pad is also surprisingly lightweight and thin. This makes it easy to transport and store as well.

Image courtesy of www.amazon.com

I found that the light on the Huion L4S was bright enough, not only for me to trace through fusible web, but also to trace on freezer paper. I hadn’t expected that and was pleasantly surprised by this ability.

I’m happy with this purchase and look forward to putting it to use on my next fusible web appliqué project. If you are considering purchasing a light table, I can definitely recommend the Huion L4S light pad.

To see more features of the Huion L4S light pad, click on the image below to watch a video on my YouTube channel.

Creatively,

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