Monday, June 30, 2008

Half Square Triangle MADNESS!!!

Oh Half Square Triangles, how I used to hate you. Then I discovered triangles on a roll, and thangles, and I liked you a little better, but I was too lazy to go out and buy rolls for all the different sizes. Then I read this post by Kathy Mack of Pink Chalk Studio about the Angler 2, and I made plans to try it out. Then my LQS sent out a newsletter about a new tool from Quilt Market, Clearly Perfect Angles. And I have now good-enough-ly conquered the half square triangles. Finally.
Clearly Perfect Angles
Ok, so my angles are not PERFECT, but good enough for me. As Brenda says, finished is better than perfect! Clearly Perfect Angles does take some getting used to, but it's really not that bad. It's a window cling, unlike the Angler 2, which is a thin sheet of plastic. The window cling is nice because it's much easier to cut it and customize it to your machine. I used my seam ripper to cut the holes. Another point my friend Cheri noticed was that Clearly Perfect angles is longer, so you can line up your squares for a longer period of time. I love it, and I have used it quite a bit since I bought it.

Now, the reason why I bought it was for the mystery quilt I posted about oh, half a month ago. Here are the squares I ended up with! (please ignore the incorrectly sewn one, I will fix it eventually!)
Mystery Quilt Blocks
It was a fun quilt, and I'm trying to decide if I want to make more blocks, add sashing, add a border, or just keep it as a small quilt. We'll see. The pattern is by Constantine Quilts, and it was super fun. Here is the link in case you want to do it too!

After this quilt, my parents asked me to make a baby quilt for them. Still on my half square triangle high, I decided on this pattern (which thankfully is still offered free, even though not on the bhg site anymore). I added a couple columns to the side and used charm squares instead of whatever they asked for. The fabric is Little Lady by Lakehouse Fabrics, and was fun, but I have discovered that these are NOT my colors.
Finished Baby Quilt
I had to ask multiple people if they thought the quilt was ok, because I do not like it. I am not a purple person. I do love the pattern though, and am planning on making another one with the Oh Boy fabric, also from Lakehouse. I think I will like this one much more. Hurray.

8 comments:

rdrop said...

I totally loved how your mystery came out! I haven't worked on mine since last weekend... bad me. ^_^ maybe it's because I don't like how it's turing out... I'm just hoping the final product looks nearly as cute as yours.

I like the baby quilt, I'm not a big purple person either but I bet Candice would love it! ^_^ ... now if it was green that's another story.

JuLo said...

Wow, that looks so amazing! I LOVE the orange squares. :) However you decide to finish it up, make sure to post a pic! :)

jenny said...

I really like the baby quilt. I've been wanting to make one of that pattern. the lilac is inspired - it makes the whole palette look much more modern than a neutral or bright background fabric.

Anonymous said...

The mystery quilt looks neat! Why do you parents need a baby quilt? Am I getting a bunch of leftover lavender fabric?

Rebekah said...

your mystery quilt looks awesome! I'll have to try out those triangle quilt tools - I avoid triangles like the plague!

I love the little baby quilt...that is such a fun pattern!

jacquie said...

I have had my troubles with half square triangles too. Never tried any of the tools. Maybe I should? Love both these quilts. Nice work!

Oiyi said...

I love the mystery quilt and the baby quilt. I love purple!

Wendy said...

I love the baby quilt, though I'm not a purple person either. I thought it was a soft grey - my monitor's colors must be off a bit. Each time I see one of those made from charm squares I want to add it to my to do list.