Tuesday, January 11, 2011

A Two-fer

That's when you get two for the price of one. Not to be confused with a twofour (fellow Canadians, you know what I'm talkin' bout).

This may not be anything new for many of you, but it's a great tip I picked up a few years into this quilting obsession and I haven't thrown away a corner since.

When you're making snowball blocks or flying geese by adding squares onto the corner of a base square, or rectangle, don't just draw your diagonal sewing line. Draw another line 1/2" away from the diagonal, towards the 'waste' corner. Sew on both the lines.

IMG_4231

Then, when you cut the corner off (by setting your ruler on the 1/4" line and slicing half way between your two sewn lines), you end up with a nifty half square triangle leftover!

IMG_4232

See? Now you have a great little leftover for another project....hmmm, can you say mug rug?

Thanks everyone for all of your comments on yesterday's post. I really appreciate you taking the time to reassure me that the mammogram isn't as bad as They say. I'll let you how it goes next month!

16 comments:

Amy said...

That is a great tip! I'm going to get myself in gear and start a quilt but I shall definitely bear this in mind. I hope that your mammogram (a.k.a boob sandwich - that tickled me) goes well on the 8th - Amy

Tracey Jacobsen said...

oh... if this is what I think it is... ;)

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

I have been collecting these for a while... I think it might be time to start using them!

pinksuedeshoe said...

I can say it! MUG RUG! ... oh, maybe that's not what you meant. :o)

Christine M said...

What a great idea. I don't make many flying geese but when I have, those left over bits usually get tossed away!

Kristie said...

Perfect timing! I am literally just starting a snowball quilt tonight, and was thinking about those little triangles....Now I know what I will do with them! How completely logical!
p.s. I am very familiar with two-fours ;)

Krista said...

So very smart! Maybe someday I'll be an organized quilter like you :)

Amy Friend said...

Now when are you going to spill the beans and tell us what you are working on? Is it your swap with Tracey.

Tiffany said...

Nifty tip, thanks!

Wendy said...

Completely unrelated, but a Two-fer is called a BOGOF (Buy One Get One Free) in the UK - I don't know if you use the expression Bog off in other countries? My dad finds it highly amusing...

Jennifer said...

Yep! I have an endless stash of HST's from a project that I have made at least 5 mug rugs from. Isn't awesome when waste turns into another project??

Jennifer :)

Jenny said...

I can't believe I didn't know this. why am I always the one left behind?? thanks for the tip! i just got these French General's in a jelly roll. would love to use them, excited to see what you do

Jenny said...

what does two-four mean in Canada?

Caro said...

Very cool tip! Thanks for sharing. Also, can you tell me who made the cool fabric with the writing on it. I've fallen in love with fabric that has writing on it. Thank. casands1@comcast.net

Hazel said...

Being Canadian I got a good chuckle out of your post I know what a two- four is LOL Lets see Labatts or Blue .

Laura T said...

Wow, this is a great tip. I'll have to share this one:) Found your blog by way of Lilly!
Laura T in WA State.