Hip To Be Half-Square 

Aren't these little fabric trimmings just so pretty?! I have a really hard time throwing them away. I keep this little milk glass goblet next to my cutting mat to collect my block trimmings. Today the colors looked especially beautiful so I just had to snap a pic. I call these "Quilt Confetti" but I have heard many names for them! What do you call them?

 

 

Today's Quilt Confetti is the result of squaring up 80 Half Square Triangles (HST)! I will be honest here. I used to hate making HST. Mine were always wonky, the ruler was always slipping and I could never keep them straight. I have passed up on many quilt patterns because I didn't want to make all those HST! 

 

 

 For my birthday this year my mother gave me a gift that changed my quilting life. The Bloc Loc Ruler. If you have one of these then you know what I'm talking about. If you don't, then you need to get one!! Click Here to check out the different varieties of Bloc Loc Rulers! This ruler makes HST so much easier! It "locks" onto your block and doesn't move. No more wonky HST. Seriously. Its life changing.

More HST Tips:  

1. I always use a scant 1/4 inch seam. This gives me a bit more wiggle room for trimming and squaring them up.

2. PRESS your seams open. Resist the urge to slide your iron. This is something I'm still trying to remember to do. Pressing instead of sliding helps keep them from getting wonky.

3. Get a Bloc Loc ruler. This grabs your blocks and holds them in place so they don't slide. That way you don't end up trimming WAY more off then you intended. Yup. I've done that! 

 Now I have 100 blocks ready for my Chance Quilt! And I still haven't opened the Jelly Roll... Tomorrow is the day! I promise. 😉

Enjoy your weekend friends!

💙Jessie