Stonefields Sawtooth Stars, Blocks 1-4, + Flying Geese Ruler Roundup

I present to you Sawtooth Stars, Blocks 1-4 of my NewFO project "Stonefields" by Susan Smith.  Ta da!  These blocks will finish at 6" square.

Stonefields Sawtooth Star Blocks 1-4, 6 inch finished

It took me the better part of two days to piece these four blocks because I decided to foundation paper piece them.  In hindsight, I'm not sure that was the best use of time.  I mean, the pattern instructions told me to piece these blocks by hand, and that probably would have been faster than the way I machine pieced them when all was said and done!

I printed my paper piecing foundation patterns on newsprint for a 6" finished sawtooth star block from EQ8 software, then used the software to print rough templates for cutting onto card stock (not pictured and definitely a waste of time because it was just triangles and squares, DUH!).  

Oversize Precut Patches, Foundation Patterns + Supplies, Ready to FPP

Once each of those foundation paper sections was covered with fabric, the excess got trimmed away with a rotary cutter to look like this:

Foundation Sections Pieced, Ready for Traditional Piecing to Join

That's the point where the papers got removed and the FPP units got sewn together just like any other traditionally pieced block.  

And no sooner had I completed these blocks than I discovered a Mini Fit to be Geese ruler (by Monique Dillard of Open Gate Quilts) in my little IKEA sewing cart that would have been ideal for making these blocks, since my flying geese units were 1 1/2" x 3", the largest size you can make with this ruler.  Not familiar with Fit to be Geese rulers?  Check out this YouTube video.  The method involves quickly whipping up oversized flying geese units using cutting and piecing methods that favor speed over precision, and then trimming the units precisely to size by aligning markings on the ruler tool with the "rooftop" angled seam line.  I'm sure I did NOT purchase this ruler tool and I don't think I've even used it before.  It was probably a gift or in a goody bag or prize at some kind of quilting event.  But I'm intrigued, because my foundation paper pieced stars started with oversized patches that got trimmed down to size, but with all the additional fuss of printing and trimming and removing the foundation papers.  

A quick Amazon search did not yield a link to the Fit to be Geese rulers, but it did show me that there are quite a few different options for gizmo tools specific to flying geese units.  You can peruse all of those flying geese options here (this post contains affiliate links).  So, I'm dying to know, friends -- do any of you have a favorite tool or method for making flying geese units generally or sawtooth star blocks in particular?  The main drawback I see to the Mini Fit to be Geese tool I already own is that nothing prevents it from slipping when you're doing those precision trim cuts at the end, and I would be SUPER GROUCHY if the ruler slipped on me and sliced through the flying geese unit I'd just spent time stitching together, especially if I didn't have enough fabric surplus to make a new one.  I suppose I could spray the back of my Fit to be Geese with the Odif Grippy Nonstick Coating spray I bought for my Halo cutting templates.  You know, if I could remember where I put the spray can...  🙄

Bloc Loc makes flying geese trimming tools that would prevent that slipping because the back side of their rulers have deep grooves that cause them to "lock" into place right along the seam lines.  Only problem is that the Bloc Loc rulers are fairly expensive, $40-50 each, especially considering that each ruler only works with one size flying geese unit.  I can only see that being worthwhile if I was going to make an entire quilt full of hundreds and hundreds of the same size flying geese units.  

PSST!!  Do You Own This Ruler?  Should I Get One, Too?

Creative Grids has a ruler for trimming oversized flying geese units as well, and that one is tempting me right now.  It's similar to the Fit to be Geese ruler except that it has Creative Grids' signature dots of nonslip traction on the back side of the ruler and it looks more straightforward to use because the markings for trimming different sides of the unit are on opposite sides of the ruler and their use is more obvious.  With the Fit to be Geese ruler I know I would need to reach for the instructions or pull up a YouTube tutorial for a refresher every time I wanted to use it.  At $28, the Creative Grids ruler works for any size flying geese units from 1/2" x 1" all the way up through 4" x 8".  Anyone have this ruler?  Do you use it and like it, or is it just One More Gadget to clutter up your sewing room?  Is there another tool out there for flying geese that I should consider?  Please share your favorites in the comments.  I don't want to waste money on something I won't actually use, but I'm all about working smarter versus just working harder and wasting time.  I think I wasted a fair amount of time on my sawtooth star blocks today!

So, what are my sewing goals for this week's To Do on Tuesday linky?  If the Spirit moves me, I might start the stitch in the ditch quilting on my Deco quilt.  And no, I'm not kidding -- right now I don't feel like it.  It's such drudge work quilting along those seams and if I'm rushing and not in the right mindset, I'm not going to do a good job of it.  That quilt can just sit there on the long arm frame and pout for now.  I think I want to make some more blocks for Stonefields, and if I go in order according to the pattern, the next blocks are going to be appliqué.  Stay tuned... 

L-R: Cousins Greg + Allison, Sister Janice, Cousin Cory, Me, Sister Susan

Thank you to all who reached out with condolences on my mother's passing.  We had beautiful weather in New Jersey for her burial service and we took advantage of the rare opportunity to get a photo of all of the cousins on my mom's side of the family.  My cousin Greg flew in from Brazil, Allison from San Francisco, Janice lives in New Jersey, Cory came from Minneapolis, I came up from Florida, and Susan from Texas.  

So life goes on, apparently.  Until it doesn't.  Sorry; still in a bit of a gloomy headspace.  I am freaking my husband out by wanting to talk and plan about what happens if he dies first, what happens if I die first...  Lately it feels like a close family member dies every 6 months or so, like Death is probably already plotting to take the next one.  I find that I'm having trouble with long term planning, like thinking about fall and winter holidays, or talking about where to retire, because all of the family members we've lost in the last 2 years -- Bernie's mom, Bernie's dad, Bernie's cousin, and now my Mom -- all had plans that were abruptly cut short.  My mom, for instance, was planning to get a live Christmas tree this year because my sister's house in Austin has such tall ceilings and she thought her little artificial tree would look too dinky.

Enough of that!  Just to clarify, I am not even planning to finish my Stonefields quilt.  I am just planning to work on a couple blocks at a time, one day and one week at a time.  My goal is just to spend at least 30 minutes a day doing something with fabric!

I'm linking up with some of my favorite linky parties:

MONDAY

       Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts  

        Monday Musings at Songbird Designs  

TUESDAY

To-Do Tuesday at Quilt Schmilt  

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

THURSDAY

Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation  

FRIDAY

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Off the Wall Friday at Nina Marie Sayre

Beauty Pageant at From Bolt to Beauty

 TGIFF Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday, rotates, schedule found here: TGIF Friday

SUNDAY

Frédérique at Quilting Patchwork Appliqué

Oh Scrap! at Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework

15 Minutes to Stitch at Life In Pieces