I have decided to take my own advice and try to sew for one hour a day. Back in 2009 I was working two jobs and not getting enough sewing done. I made a promise that I would try to squeeze in one hour of sewing each day. No matter what I had to give up: emptying the dishwasher, doing housework, exercising. It didn't matter, that hour would be sacred. It went pretty well, as I recall, and I did get a lot done.
Yesterday I went up to the sewing room and made the block you see above. It did take just about an hour. My fabrics were all starched and making the half square triangles was a cinch. I am going to see if I can keep up the momentum and try to get up there most days at least for one hour.
I do have two trim tools to share with you, both of which I purchased recently. The first is Creative Grids Perfect 10 Ruler. This tool works so great for squaring up blocks. I have some other square up rulers, but they are smaller sized. The largest is 6 1/2". This larger ruler works great to square up larger blocks up to 10". It also is wonderful for trimming layer cake squares if that zig zag edge bugs you.
The other trim tool is much larger, but is perfect for these 15 1/2" basket blocks I am making for the Flea Market Sew Along. This is one of Lori Holt's Cute Cuts trim tools. She makes them in just about every size you can imagine. You line up the marked lines with the seams on your quilt block and find the center. Then you can trim away the excess on the edges and get your perfect size 15 1/2" block.
Hope you are all having a great week! Happy St. Patrick's Day!
And speaking of trimming layer cakes, are you joining the moda blockheads 4 sew along?
Posted by: Betty | March 17, 2022 at 05:41 AM
What a great idea, I was doing a little hand piecing each evening but that wasn't getting done, so your idea of an hour might work for me.. Nice block too.
Posted by: Christine | March 17, 2022 at 06:35 AM
Thank you for your recommendations, from a beginner!
Posted by: M L | March 17, 2022 at 06:36 AM
Your block is so cheerful looking! Great ruler recommendations, as always! ☘️ Have a fun St. Patrick's Day! ☘️
Posted by: Jan | March 17, 2022 at 07:32 AM
I too try and touch something almost everyday. The past two years I have been working on reducing my ufo's and I am close to seeing some light. Another year or two to go!!
Posted by: Donna Capps | March 17, 2022 at 07:38 AM
Rulers look great! Happy St. Patrick’s Day Nicole. Met my dear husband 50 years ago today ! Hard to believe but true.
Mary
Posted by: Mary Kastner | March 17, 2022 at 08:05 AM
I ready your blog always, but don't have time to comment much anymore. Sigh. That is a beautifully accurate and cute block! Thanks for sharing with us the square up tools.
Posted by: Sally | March 17, 2022 at 11:48 AM
** read your blog **
Posted by: Sally | March 17, 2022 at 11:49 AM
Such a cute block! It seems everyone has a trimming tool nowadays it’s hard to pick just one!
Posted by: Anita | March 18, 2022 at 09:43 AM