Sew Preeti Quilts: HSTs

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Swirling Fish Block Tutorial

This tutorial will make two identical fish blocks.

Background Fabric - Five squares 5"

Assorted Green Fabrics - One square 9", five squares 5"
Contrasting Solid (choose a color different from background fabric) - One square 9"

Make two large half square triangles - Cut size 8.5", Finished size 8"

On the wrong side of the contrasting solid square (9"), draw a line connecting two diagonal corners. Place the large green square (9") right sides together with the contrasting solid square (9"). Stitch 1/4" away from the drawn line, on both sides. Cut on the drawn line. Press and square both HSTs to 8.5". Set aside.

Make ten smaller half square triangles - Cut size 4.5". Finished size 4".
On the wrong side of a background square (5"), draw a line connecting two diagonal corners. Place a 5" green square right sides together with the 5" background square. Stitch 1/4" away from the drawn line, on both sides. Cut on the drawn line. Press and square both HSTs to 4.5". Similarly make the remaining eight HSTs.

Arrange and stitch as shown.

STEP 1 - Stitch the four smaller HSTs in two pairs as shown by arrows

STEP 2 - Stitch the large HST to the top HST pair. Stitch the lower HST pair to the fifth smaller HST.

STEP 3 - Stitch the two pieced units together to complete the block

STEP 4 - Press and square to 12.5"

Do a happy dance, much like the swirling fish :-D Complete the second fish block.

Now make more in all the colors of the rainbow. The smaller HSTs are a great way to use up leftover squares from charm packs.

Here are a few more examples.

Yellow Fish

Red Fish

Orange Fish

Purple Fish

Nine blocks (arranged 3 by 3) will make a 36" square baby quilt. I recommend adding 2" borders (to protect your points) for a 40" finished quilt.

30 blocks (5 by 6) will make a Lap/Throw/Mercyful Quilt, measuring 60" by 84". Please make sure that you add borders to protect the points.

Questions? Ask away and I will answer here so that all can see.

I will share this tutorial with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Bollywood Beats

Island Batik's September Challenge and Blog Hop focuses on the Studio 180 Design tool we received in our second Ambassador box. I received the Tucker Trimmer Tool.

The Tucker Trimmer is used to trim down units that are made with triangles: half square triangle squares, quarter square triangle squares (hourglass units), and combinations of half square and quarter square triangle squares (combination units).

I also received the Honeycomb fabric collection, designed by Kathy Engle for Jackie Kunkle of Canton Village Quiltworks, shipping to shops in September.

Schmetz Microtex Needles 70/10 and Aurifil 40wt Thread were used for piecing. I used 16 out of 20 fabrics to make 60 half square triangles.

Ready to Piece

Ready to Trim

Tucker Trimmer in Action

I chose Island Batik Solid Black as a background. I knew the hot colors would pop on the solid black background.

Setting Triangles

Piecing in Progress

I enjoyed every moment of the process. This Honeycomb collection is my absolute favorite in the entire Spring 2022 collections. Goodness, these are my colors - fiery, spicy and intense. There is nothing soothing or calming about this color palette. They make me want to break into a song and dance.

The quilt is bursting with energy and dancing with passion. Therefore, I have named her Bollywood Beats. It is no surprise that at one point during the photoshoot, Bollywood Beats just took off, down the wooded path, all sass and style.

There she goes

Oh no...

I am so glad I was wearing sneakers and I was finally able to catch up with her, panting and out of breath.

Paul: She is yours, alright.

Me: Of course. Wait, what do you mean?

Paul: Precocious and Opinionated.

Me: Paul, you are not helping!!!

Paul: Naughty Bollywood Beats

Me: I have a good mind to hang her upside down over the water.

Paul: Will she learn her lesson?

Me: It is worth a try.

Naughtiness Tamed

Paul held her tight. Consequently Bollywood Beats promised to pose for pictures. Here she is, behaving herself.

Bollywood Beats

And then, like any other naughty child after the tantrum is over, she is hugging me.

Hugging

Then we danced and twirled together, as Paul took more pictures.

Showing off

Happiness!

Diva much?

Swirling with Bollywood Beats

One more picture with the flowers - gosh don't they echo the colors of the Honeycomb collection? Honestly, I feel like the fabrics did all the heavy lifting and I had all the fun.

Nature Inspired?

The pieced backing is Fondant (Island Batik Neutral). I chose the Hobbs Black 80/20 Batting.

Island Batik Neutral - Fondant

Hobbs Batting - 80/20 Black

Quilted a grid using a walking foot with all over squiggly lines. I used Schmetz 90/14 Needle and Aurifil 40 wt thread for quilting. Binding is also Solid Black.

Fondant Backing

Bollywood Beats finished at 70" by 88". Oh, but I hate to finish this blogpost, because it has been so much fun. A few more pictures?

Be still, my heart!

Love the Contrasts

Labelled

Deceptively soothing backing :-)

Of course, I am in love with Bollywood Beats, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

Topsy Turvy Quilt Pattern (also using the Honeycomb Collection) is on sale in my Etsy Store till 9/15.

Did you know that the Island Batik Blog has fabulous giveaways every week? You don't want to miss it.

Please visit other Island Batik ambassadors blogs. See full schedule below. Not only they have gorgeous quilts to show off, they may also have giveaways of their own ;-)

WEEK 1

September 6