Sunday Stash #88 – I Was Thirsty!
First of all, we have some business to shake down. Last Monday I was thirsty, and y’all served me up some Truth Tea like I had never seen. There were gallons of the stuff: sun tea, sweet tea, chai tea, lemon tea, hot tea, iced tea, peppermint tea, herbal tea, so much tea that I’m still drinking it down! I will tell you this: You, my dear Glitterati, are a creative force to be reckoned with! There was so much insight, clever ideas, mock-ups, colour suggestions, encouragement–seriously, my cup runneth over! I haven’t responded to any of your comments yet because I’m still digesting it all. For now, that quilt is folded up out of sight. I’m not worried, it’ll get done, and whatever happens will be for the best. My sincerest thanks to all of you for giving me your time, and honest opinions.
Now for this week’s Sunday Stash, I want to show you how I made over three-hundred, perfect HSTs. This notion is my new BFF, it’s the Bloc_Loc ruler, designed for trimming your HSTs. If you don’t trim your HSTs, um, you should start doing that. Trust. If you do, and you hate it, or get inconsistent results, this ruler is about to rock your world. I bought the 2.5″ and the 4.5″ versions because I don’t generally make anything bigger than that. (You can use bigger rulers to trim smaller HSTs, but not vice versa). The 4.5″ is perfect for charm squares like I used in my quilt. That diagonal groove holds your seam in place, and allows you to trim away without any nip-slips! I swear to you, on the Holy Madonna’s Kabbalah bracelet, this is my new notion of choice!
While I was buying my Bloc_Loc rulers for the HSTs, I totally caved and bought similar versions for Flying Geese. These are a bit different though because they only work on one particular size. I, of course, had to buy four different sizes then, didn’t I?! I haven’t had a chance to use these yet, but I’m sure we will be going on long walks on the beach together in no time!
Oh, and there’s a giant fabric stash addition to share this week too! This is my first full bolt of fabric to ever grace my sewing room. It’s a full bolt of Robert Kaufman Kona White from one of my favourite local fabric shops, Patchwork on Pittwater. No plans for this yet, but y’all know how I like my bright whites, so I’m definitely glad to have it on hand. This is a slippery slope though… there may be another bolt in the mail!
It's a slippery slope you know: start buying bolts and before you know where you are you need an extension. or a bigger house!
def a slippery slope – but I got one this past winter and was shocked at how quickly I used it! You'll speed through it 🙂
There are flying geese Bloc_Loc rulers? Wow, I should definitely get some of those, I have a lot of flying geese in my future. Thanks for posting about them, I hadn't seen them before!
Oh bummer, they don't have the size that I need. Sigh.
A bolt of whatever fabric you consider a "neutral" will never be a bad decision!
Ooo a whole bolt, so tempting, I'd go for Kona Snow I think. I saw the bloc loc rulers last year at FoQ and again yesterday, there was a crowd around the stand and I didn't have the patience to hang around. I've looked at their US website and it would be cheaper to buy direct from them due to exchange rate and low shipping charge…so I just need to come up with plan for a HST quilt!!
I really want the bloc loc for flying geese. And I have been thinking about buying a bolt of Kona white. Maybe I will. It would last a while, right?
I was persuaded to get the 6 1/2" HST Bloc Loc at Market, but even having used it, I'm not entirely convinced. Mind you, trimming the things was never my problem with them in the first place, so that might be why!
We must've been on the same waive length this week, Molli, because I bought a ruler for HSTs, too! Have yet to try it and see if I love it as much as you love yours : )
Missed you Mollie, since we hadn't heard from you since Wednesday, so I came over this morning just to check on you, and found you had just been busy trying to digest all that Truth Tea we all made you swallow. Glad all is well and thanks for sharing your new HST rulers, which I will probably need to buy in the near future. Hugs
lv2bquilting2@comcast.net
I spend much more of my time longarm quilting then I do piecing and I cannot tell you how many bolts I have in the stash!! As I am house/pet sitting for my daughter whist she is on her honeymoon, I am making a quilt for my youngest daughter and her girlfriend…and I just had to bring 2 bolts of Kona with me – Ash and Coal to mix with the red and black they requested! I love having a whole bolt…I don't have to run back to the quilt shop because I ran out of material!!!!! I must have around 30 bolts at home…shhhhhhh, hubs doesn't need to know!!! I'm just so happy to have a finish this year…my daughter's wedding quilt that ended up being 115"x105"…fun to finally finish a quilt of mine!!
Oh shoot I want a whole bolt of fabric too but can't decide should it be white or cream…… Heck maybe I should buy both. Love your quilts and your vision Molli.
I LOVE the blocloc – I thought it was a bit of a fad but after seeing the lady demonstrate it at the Sydney C&Q Fair I was sold – it makes the HSTs SOOO easy. I also bought the flying geese one but need to use it a bit more before I fall totally in love with it.