I didn't sew the star blocks I showed a few days ago and decided that if I added squares in that they would go farther (more blocks). I sewed these 3 last night.
If you have never understood the advantage of Thangles I thought this might explain it. You can use the same size strip to sew the triangle squares and cut the plain squares. No more 7/8" added, just sew on the dotted lines, cut on the solid lines and cut matching squares for your blocks.
I'm so glad you posted the Thangles photo. I have seen the word used a lot and never knew what they were. Such a great idea, I'm going to have to put them on my list to try.
Morning Wanda, Is Thangles the reason you cut 4.5 inch strips? That makes getting the squares so easy. Thanks for showing it. Finally got myself back to painting but I wanted to sew. Fabric is so much more fun. Mary Ann
Pretty blocks and as for the Thangles, they look to me (and I've never tried so I reckon I should before I post this comment) but they look to me like the fabric would be slippery under the paper. I guess you have to pin, ha? Duh!
I have never heard of Thangles, thanks for pointing them out. I use something I got from Walmart to make my HSTs. Of course I cannot remember right now who makes it or what it is called.
Good Morning - do you cut the 6", 4.5" and 2.5" for a particular reason. Do you find these sizes easier to work with for the type of quilts you make - I was surprised you didn't have any 3 or 3/12". Connie
Thangles are my friends. I'm glad you posted about them. I've also used a product called "Triangles on a Roll," which I order from Hancock's of Paducah. They save me heartache as well, but they're printed double-wide (I sometimes trim them to half width). I have the best results if I stitch along the outside of the stitching lines, giving my HST one extra thread of width. Other friends stitch straight down the middle of the stitching lines and have perfect HST as well. To each her own! You have another great project going, Wanda.
it's so funny that you showcased the Thangles as I am currently using them too! We have these subliminal paths back and forth from your house to mine!!!
I love using the paper foundations for HSTs. I like Thangles for the same reason that you do: the strip you cut works for both the plain squares and for the thanglization. Lately I am using an inexpensive program I downloaded that allows me to print the HST sewing grids myself on regular computer paper. The advantage to that is that I can sew a number of HSTs at once, using continuous stitching lines. That, and I don't have to buy a bunch of different size Thangles. Either are terrific because they give you foolproof, exact HSTs every time, with that bias edge stablized as you sew. Ripping off the paper is a nice, in front of the TV, mindless activity too.
Have you tried Triangles on a Roll? I like them because they allow you to make more triangles at a time. I've also made them oversized with the two squares, cutting diagonally , and then cutting the triangle squares down to size. I've never checked which method takes less time- have you? sally in st. paul
Wanda..... these blocks are beautiful.... that lime green batik is to die for.
I am intrigued by your "thangles". Just cut out an American flag quilt pattern my hubby saw at a quilt show. Wish it were used the half-square triangle|thangle method of piecing. After reading and re-reading the pattern, I discovered it was a "foundation-based" piecing pattern. Hope my bias doesn't stretch.
I did a Thangles BOM one year. It was really boring to make HSTs over and over again, every month. However, when I need HSTs, I really like it when they fit a Thangles paper.
I'm so glad you posted the Thangles photo. I have seen the word used a lot and never knew what they were. Such a great idea, I'm going to have to put them on my list to try.
ReplyDeleteLove the blocks!! I have Thangles too. They are another great idea for making HSTs.
ReplyDeleteMorning Wanda,
ReplyDeleteIs Thangles the reason you cut 4.5 inch strips?
That makes getting the squares so easy. Thanks for showing it.
Finally got myself back to painting but I wanted to sew. Fabric is so much more fun.
Mary Ann
Pretty blocks and as for the Thangles, they look to me (and I've never tried so I reckon I should before I post this comment) but they look to me like the fabric would be slippery under the paper. I guess you have to pin, ha? Duh!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the illustration, Wanda. I've known about Thangles, but have never tried them myself. Looks like that needs to change!
ReplyDeleteLOVE that green!
I have never heard of Thangles, thanks for pointing them out. I use something I got from Walmart to make my HSTs. Of course I cannot remember right now who makes it or what it is called.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning - do you cut the 6", 4.5" and 2.5" for a particular reason. Do you find these sizes easier to work with for the type of quilts you make - I was surprised you didn't have any 3 or 3/12".
ReplyDeleteConnie
Thangles are my friends. I'm glad you posted about them. I've also used a product called "Triangles on a Roll," which I order from Hancock's of Paducah. They save me heartache as well, but they're printed double-wide (I sometimes trim them to half width).
ReplyDeleteI have the best results if I stitch along the outside of the stitching lines, giving my HST one extra thread of width. Other friends stitch straight down the middle of the stitching lines and have perfect HST as well. To each her own!
You have another great project going, Wanda.
it's so funny that you showcased the Thangles as I am currently using them too! We have these subliminal paths back and forth from your house to mine!!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Thangles! They are my favorite quilting notion!
ReplyDeleteI love using the paper foundations for HSTs. I like Thangles for the same reason that you do: the strip you cut works for both the plain squares and for the thanglization. Lately I am using an inexpensive program I downloaded that allows me to print the HST sewing grids myself on regular computer paper. The advantage to that is that I can sew a number of HSTs at once, using continuous stitching lines. That, and I don't have to buy a bunch of different size Thangles. Either are terrific because they give you foolproof, exact HSTs every time, with that bias edge stablized as you sew. Ripping off the paper is a nice, in front of the TV, mindless activity too.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried Triangles on a Roll? I like them because they allow you to make more triangles at a time.
ReplyDeleteI've also made them oversized with the two squares, cutting diagonally , and then cutting the triangle squares down to size. I've never checked which method takes less time- have you?
sally in st. paul
Those are bright and cheery blocks, and every time you show Thangles I get inspired to work on some too.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love your stash of heart fabrics also . And that top block already made, really got my heart pumping...
J~MT
Those are bright and cheery blocks, and every time you show Thangles I get inspired to work on some too.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love your stash of heart fabrics also . And that top block already made, really got my heart pumping...
J~MT
Wanda..... these blocks are beautiful.... that lime green batik is to die for.
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued by your "thangles". Just cut out an American flag quilt pattern my hubby saw at a quilt show. Wish it were used the half-square triangle|thangle method of piecing. After reading and re-reading the pattern, I discovered it was a "foundation-based" piecing pattern. Hope my bias doesn't stretch.
PS: All I can say is, hubby should be thankful I like him, as this flag motif quilt is going to be a bugger to piece.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried Thangles, so thanks for the info. Anything that would help me be more accurate has GOT to be a good thing!
ReplyDeleteI did a Thangles BOM one year. It was really boring to make HSTs over and over again, every month. However, when I need HSTs, I really like it when they fit a Thangles paper.
ReplyDelete