I have made some progress on my Hill Country Baskets blocks. Aren't they sweet? As I make them I am just tossing them up on the design wall, but when they are set into the quilt top properly, there will be a lattice separating the blocks.
For this block, you need to make four half square triangles for each one. The method I am using is the Star Singles papers.
I've blogged about these before, and think that they are a great product. In the Paula Barnes class I took, I picked up a few tips to make using them even better.
You put your two fabrics right sides together and pin. One pin is plenty. Don't go crazy. Sew on the dotted lines, and cut on the solid ones.
Tip #1. Shorten up your stitch length. Really shorten it. This makes tearing off the paper a breeze and not the horrible chore it can be when you use a normal stitch length.
After stitching, trim the sides off first. In the photo above, I have trimmed away three of the four sides.
Tip #2. Not a biggie, but do you see that the horizontal and vertical cutting lines are not the same? One is totally solid and the other is broken due to the printing on the paper? I am pointing to the broken line. After trimming the sides off, cut on that dotted line first, as it easier to keep your ruler straight when you have the entire square to look at.
Tip #3–best one ever. I love shortcuts and here is a good one. Stack those squares up with the cutting line going down the middle. You can stagger the squares as I did in the picture, or just stack 'em up evenly. Just make sure the cutting line is going down the middle, and cut ONCE instead of four times.
Rip off those papers, open your half square triangles, press and trim. Eight perfect little half square triangles, enough for two of my Hill Country Baskets blocks.
20 Responses
Your piecing is perfect! I can’t wait to see this one put together. It will be beautiful!
Love your little basket blocks! Thanks for the sewing tips too. 🙂
Thank you for sharing all of those tips!
OMG! I LOVE that last tip!! I have been using these singles since you first blogged about them. I pick them up every time I see them at a show since they cannot be found locally here. Instead of a pin I use a little swipe from the sewline glue stick I have. Trimming the paper away has always been the downside and Tip #3 will help alot.
BTW, your baskets are looking fantabulous!
Wonderful tips! Thank you!
The fabrics you’ve chosen make your Basket blocks sing!! Well done!
Of course, your tutorial, suggestions, and photos are most helpful and I thank you. I like shortcuts, too!
Hugs!
Thanks for the tips. Fall must be in the air, because I am loving the colors of your squares. This quilt will be beautiful (I haven’t seen an ugly one come from you yet!)
I haven’t seen that paper before! Love it! ;p
What adorable little basket blocks ! You are making great progress.
Thanks for the tips
I’m making sheets of 1/2 sq tri’s using Thangles, They are on a roll, so you can make your strips as long as you want. I’m doing 44 1/2 sq’ at a time, takes about 15 min start to finish. Then tv time for paper removal!
One more tip that I love is do not rip the paper out until AFTER you have pressed the seam allowance. The paper helps stabilize the square – no distortion. Press, then rip out.
Peniford has the same tip I was going to say. Press before the paper comes off. That means that you have to put the paper against the light fabric, so you can lay them on the ironing board paper side down, leaving the dark side up. Then you can press it open. The paper really helps stabilize everything so there isn’t any pressing distortion.
Such pretty baskets, Nicole! I love your fabric choices! Always wondered about the Star Singles – thanks for the great tip!
Cheers!
Thank you for this!!!! :O) Love those squares -they would make a cute scrappy just as is, too!
Who makes the pattern? Love the baskets and now want to make a quilt for myself with the same pattern?
Your baskets are terrific. Thanks for sharing those tips for perfect little blocks.
wow, I love your basket blocks and the fabric colors you are using.
Great tips, I will be using these for sure. Got to get me some of those papers.
thanks
Love the basket blocks! I just ordered that pattern today. I’ve got a big stash of Civil War repros and I’m just trying to decide on a colorway (all assorted, indigos or pink & brown). Such a difficult decision!
Those Star Singles are a quilting aid I am going to use! A lot! Thanks for alerting me to them.
Olly, olly oxen free! Come out, come out, wherever you are!
You’re missed! Hope you’ll awaken to find your blogging mojo back.
Big hugs!