6.5" Blocks

I cut fabric into manageable lengths before starting to cut strips, etc. for building blocks. I can't handle 4.5 yards of fabric. but I can handle 1.5 or 2. If you cut three sets of 1.5 yard lengths, you have your 4.5 total without the terror of stacking up that big hank of fabric and trying to flip it or turn it or ...... whatever.

Good luck. It sounds like a lot of blocks and a lot of stitching. Hope it's a good swap.

Sunny

I would fold it selvage to selvage along the whole length. Then I'd match up the two ends, square-up the ends and cut two crosswise strips at once- with the excess fabric rolled up (or folded) at the end of the cutting table and only working with a half yard or so unrolled at a time. (When cutting large quantities all the same size I prefer to cut 8-12 layers of fabric at a time using my 45 mm rotary cutter with a new blade, but that's risky if your rotary cutter runs amok or you cut at the wrong measurement.)

If you cut the yardage into chunks you run the risk of not having enough fabric unless you predetermine how much you need in each chunk and plan the sections. If you have extra fabric, then never mind. ;-)

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I fold it how I will be cutting it whether it is lengthwise or the other way. Then I cut at my kitchen table. I have a chair and hang the excess fabric in the chair where you would sit. The other part is on the table. I have the biggest cutting mat you can get so enough of it will stay on the table without pulling off.

When it gets to the po> I am getting ready to join a swap where we will be making 144 6.5" blocks.

i'm hoping you meant to say squares rather than blocks. cuz that many pieced blocks and someone needs their collective heads read. the most i've done in a session was 150 flying geese units. had to alternate between cutting, sewing, ironing, cutting, sewing, ironing and taking regular breaks to eat, pitstop and go online to vary the activity or i'd of gone totally bonkers. oh wait, i did go totally bonkers anyhow. got some really nice flying geese tho. some live in tacoma now. better you than me on this one, Cindy. good luck!! j.

"Cindy Schmidt" wrote ... I am getting ready to join a swap where we will be making 144 6.5" blocks. Question is - how do you handle working with 4.5 yards of fabric while doing this?

I can handle a yard or two at a time but 4.5?

Cindy from MO

Nope you read that correctly Jeanne. It IS 144 blocks. It's called Floating Stars. Very simple (thank goodness). The swap sign-up is until January 15 and then we have until April 15 to make the blocks. Do-able? I certainly hope so.

one?

I'd just cut 144 squares from the background fabric, select the corner squares, and sew! Are you going to keep the trimmed-off triangles for "use in another project," as the waste-not-want-not often suggest?

Nann

Yup, that's the same one Nann. She has a group started on Facebook and I was just crazy enough to sign up for it. Bought all the fabric yesterday and it's in the wash as we speak.

Ooops, forgot to answer the rest of that email. YES, I'm keeping the "extras". Might try to make a border out of them. Who knows...

I was so glad to see this post. I am always at a loss when I have that much fabric, and I'm cutting out various size blocks for a quilt. It always overwhelms me. Thanks for asking that question.

Sherry Starr

Maybe you have already thought of this but I made many of these blocks before I thought to stitch two lines on every corner.

Sew the first line as directed in the pattern. Sew a second line 1/2" from the first then cut between the line. This way your own Half Square Triangle is already sewn. You won't be re-matching pieces later. Actually I found that the regular presser foot was almost a

1/2" so used that edge as my sewing line. When I trimmed between the two pieces I made sure the swap block had a good 1/4" seam. Mine was a little short but that is OK. Still have 100's of those HST's waiting for the right project.

Susan