Newish Quilting Tool

I played with them a little bit at PIQF. They do work well for what they do - I just couldn't justify the price for how infrequently I trim up half square triangle blocks.

It comes in different sizes and you can just buy the size you use most frequently. Maybe it's worth looking at your projects to see what size that is and start there?

marcella

I do a lot of squaring up of HSTs and have had no problem with the plain old square ruler. Maybe there's somewhere you could try one out before buying?

I like us>I've been reading about the Bloc-Loc tool. I'm thinking about ordering one

I had a look at them online. I bet you could adapt any square ruler by putting a couple of layers of clear mactac on the back, leaving a 1/4" gap in the middle to mimic the groove they talk about.

Allison

It does sound like a great tool, but it sounds a little limited in its use (not that I've never bought something designed to do just one thing!). I've always used just a regular 6-1/2" square ruler for squaring up my half-quarter triangles.

Something that I got that helped me with my quarter-square triangle blocks and combination blocks (1/2 square triangle on one half and quarter square on the other) was the Tucker Trimmer.

Louise > I've been reading about the Bloc-Loc tool. I'm thinking about ordering

That device just shot to the top of my 'things I wish I had' list. Wow ... what a boon.

Sunny

I haven't bought a new gadget in awhile, so I think I owe it to myself & to RCTQ to buy it & test it out. I was thinking that the 6 1/2" ruler probably works for 6 1/2" blocks & anything smaller. It looks like it has lines on the ruler. There is an on-line store in Santa Rosa (CA) that is offering

Pauline Northern California

I also got their Wing Clipper, but that's another story! NAYY, but a VERY satisfied customer.

Louise in Iowa

PLEASE keep that Wing Clipper away from me. Sounds scary!

Butterfly

I promise it only likes to clip fabric - doesn't touch gossamer or huggy or comforting wings!

Louise > I also got their Wing Clipper, but that's another story! NAYY, but a

Some years ago, I bought a template set for what's generally (maybe) known as peaky and something, spike? A block with two tall triangles pointing up and the center one pointing down. Quilt in a Day calls the set "Shining Stars". Yesterday, Quiltmaker May/June '12 came in and Judy Laquidara's "Star Gazing" called to me. The magazine's pattern offers paper-piecing (not going to happen here) and cutting out little pieces and trying to accurately stitch them together (also not going to happen). I remembered the template set and have been having a whale of a good time with it. My point, if I ever get around to it, is that special rulers and templates can be such a wonderful help. I vote in favor of anything that will help us enjoy quilting. If we need tedium, we can always go scrub the tile in the shower. Polly

I'm spending this evening ripping out machine buttonhole applique on a dresden plate block. The backing somehow got a tear and I had to take the whole thing apart. The seam ripper is one tool I wish I hadn't gotten around to using so much! Having the right project for some of the specialty rulers/templates makes for a fun time. I am having a grand time with the dresden template when I am not ripping out that is. Taria

Some years ago, I bought a template set for what's generally (maybe) known as peaky and something, spike? A block with two tall triangles pointing up and the center one pointing down. Quilt in a Day calls the set "Shining Stars". Yesterday, Quiltmaker May/June '12 came in and Judy Laquidara's "Star Gazing" called to me. The magazine's pattern offers paper-piecing (not going to happen here) and cutting out little pieces and trying to accurately stitch them together (also not going to happen). I remembered the template set and have been having a whale of a good time with it. My point, if I ever get around to it, is that special rulers and templates can be such a wonderful help. I vote in favor of anything that will help us enjoy quilting. If we need tedium, we can always go scrub the tile in the shower. Polly

=20

I've wondered about that too..it does look like it would be tempting to buy= but I just organized---sort of..not quite finished ---and found 3 tools st= ill in their plastic wrap and I know that I've had them for years ! As wel= l as the Tri-recs tools and long side triangle tool opened but unused . =20 Then this past weekend --after swearing off buying anymore rulers or templa= tes I fell for The Learning Curve ruler/template at a quilt show. You can= cut a gentle curve to many patterns and make a nice change to a block. We= ll, if I'd read the directions first and saw that you need to sew and 1/8" = seam allowance ( unlike the picture on someone's blog ) I wouldn't have bou= ght it. I've been practicing with it and find sewing that tight of a seam = at four to eight stitches at a time ( their recommendation ) is annoying. = I am not the most patient of quilters as you can see ! I needed to sew onl= y four stitches before adjusting to continue sewing. For someone who doesn= 't mind diddly work it is fine but it does try my patience. Will probably = give it one more go before giving it to my annual guild auction . Mary

uy but I just organized---sort of..not quite finished ---and found 3 tools = still in their plastic wrap and I know that I've had them for years ! As w= ell as the Tri-recs tools and long side triangle tool opened but unused . = =20

lates I fell for The Learning Curve ruler/template at a quilt show. You c= an cut a gentle curve to many patterns and make a nice change to a block. = Well, if I'd read the directions first and saw that you need to sew and 1/8= " seam allowance ( unlike the picture on someone's blog ) I wouldn't have b= ought it. I've been practicing with it and find sewing that tight of a sea= m at four to eight stitches at a time ( their recommendation ) is annoying= . I am not the most patient of quilters as you can see ! I needed to sew o= nly four stitches before adjusting to continue sewing. For someone who doe= sn't mind diddly work it is fine but it does try my patience. Will probabl= y give it one more go before giving it to my annual guild auction . Mary

uy but I just organized---sort of..not quite finished ---and found 3 tools = still in their plastic wrap and I know that I've had them for years ! As w= ell as the Tri-recs tools and long side triangle tool opened but unused . = =20

lates I fell for The Learning Curve ruler/template at a quilt show. You c= an cut a gentle curve to many patterns and make a nice change to a block. = Well, if I'd read the directions first and saw that you need to sew and 1/8= " seam allowance ( unlike the picture on someone's blog ) I wouldn't have b= ought it. I've been practicing with it and find sewing that tight of a sea= m at four to eight stitches at a time ( their recommendation ) is annoying= . I am not the most patient of quilters as you can see ! I needed to sew o= nly four stitches before adjusting to continue sewing. For someone who doe= sn't mind diddly work it is fine but it does try my patience. Will probabl= y give it one more go before giving it to my annual guild auction . Mary

I'm with you, Mary. Stitching a 1/8" seam is too fiddly for my eyes, fingers and patience. Don't put it in the guild auction; let's toss it in the backyard and Stomp on it. Polly