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.
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| 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!).
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| 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:
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| 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.
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| 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...
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| 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
19 comments:
Sorry it took you a long time to foundation paperpiece your stars. That is the method I used for both my Dear Jane and Nearly Insane quilts, I've got the technique down pat now. I look forward to seeing your applique blocks. It can be hard for spouses to talk about what the surviving spouse should do but it's very necessary.
That is a beautiful photo of you and your cousins and sis. You certainly are an attractive bunch! My husband does talk about dying before me, and I am the reluctant one - lol! I know that in spite of any negatives about our marriage that I will be a mess if that happens. We have been together since we were 14, so we are joined at the hip!
I hope you are able to find comfort in doing whatever strikes your fancy. Working on long term goals is way overrated, IMO, as it is the little projects which give us joy or keep us sane. My heart goes out to you through your struggle. Keep talking and writing about it, it helps even when you don't feel it. Big hugs to you.
It's GOOD that one of your reactions is to consider how you wish to be cared for in your final years. This is a gift to your boys. It is a natural part of grieving. I feel for you having to deal with so much grief in a compacted timeframe. Hugs and prayers.
My husband refuses to talk about what happens if the other goes first - he will not make a will, write down all the passwords in case someone has to cancel accounts etc. I have tried numerous times. I so feel for you - it can take ages when one goes quickly to "get over it" with my mother I had been preparing myself for ages if you can actually do that - she was 89 and not in good health it was "good" in a way when her pain ended if you understand what I mean. My dad's death at 64 was totally unexpected he was sick - but not at death's door if you know what I mean, That took awhile to "get over"
So much info on the rulers - thanks and the blocks look good. Love the photo of you and your cousins they came from so far! that was so nice of them.
30 minutes per day doing something with fabric is a great goal while your heart is busy gluing itself back together after your mother's passing. Be kind to yourself and plans will fall into place. Your quilt projects will be waiting for you when you are ready to return to them. I'll be in Naples next week, if you'd like to meet somewhere, just let me know.
Before breast cancer surgery last year, we at least get the proper documents completed and signed--wills, power of attorneys, etc. And that probably wouldn't have happened except I have a friend who's a lawyer and she offered to do it. It's hard to do that kind of planning, so I understand how even thinking about it can be depressing. Once it's done though, it's such a relief and here I am cancer free and living life. Love your Stonefields blocks. I normally cut out everything these days using AccuQuilt and for flying geese, you just sew the triangles together and they end up the right size. Otherwise, I use the four at a time method to piece them, then trim to size with an ordinary ruler. I must confess though that I like the look of the Creative Grids ruler so that would be the one I'd invest in since it uses the four at a time method too. Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2025/07/23/wednesday-wait-loss-442
I do own a few of the Bloc-Loc rulers; one was part of a kit and makes teeny-tiny (1/2" x 1") FG. No, I haven't made this project. LOL. The others are two common sizes. I also have the Wing Clipper ruler from Studio 180. This one uses the four-at-a-time method. I found it easy to use for a quilt's worth of FG, but you do have to hold the ruler steady. One of the local shops sells it for a phenomal price, so it was totally worth it.
Sometimes, what you are familiar doing is actually fastest and cheaper in the long fun. While I have tried and liked the Bloc-Loc rulers, I don't own any--I can do okay with paper piecing for the tiny and cutting larger and trimming for others. I like Gretchen's comment about her process because that was my plan should I ever start one of the projects that she mentions! You are wise to plan. Whatever will help the kids is how we have approached the process. Our parents have had varying degrees of success with their planning processes and we are learning from them!
It is confusing and overwhelming to keep on top of these specialty rulers IMHO and they are hard for me to remember to use and their instructions. What the best method is depends on what the end result is for each individual person...fast, precise, no waste, etc!?! I have found that the creative grids folded corner clipper ruler works for me for many blocks including flying geese and hsts. I am making the Martha quilt by Treehouse Textiles which has many Sawtooth and double sawtooth blocks and and my blocks are coming out spot on. The minus for this ruler is the wasted fabric, but the plusses for it (easy, versatile, precise, multifunctional) outweigh the minus. Your blocks are perfect so does the time it takes outweigh the outcome??? I am a perfectionist so the end result is first and ease on my brain is second! Happy sewing and I'm sorry for this rambling comment!
I am sorry the emotions are still so raw, but expect them to hit at odd times. I have a Flying Geese ruler that is similar to the one you show, but can't remember the brand. I usually use the 4 at a time method and trim down. Love the progress on Stone so far!!
Rebecca, it's good to see you back quilting. It will take a minute to start to really feel what your new normal will be. Hubs and I were just talking about planning as well. It's a hard subject but we must do it. I don't have the Creative Grids FG ruler, but I have one by Studio 180. The plus for Creative Grids is the nonslip dots for sure. I love all my Creative Grids rulers and have slowly switched out most all of my rulers to their brand. I do love your blocks you've made. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings.
I have the Wing Clipper fro
m Studio 180 as well. It does 4 at a time geese and makes 10 different sizes. I use a tape meant for securing bandages on the back of my rulers. The unsticky side has bumps on it which keep the rulers from slipping. Mine is from CVS pharmacy, but I'm sure there are plenty of others available.
Yes, as distasteful as it is, end of life planning should be dealt with, just maybe not right now. My husband died at 69 and we hadn't really discussed our wishes. Makes it easier for both the spouse and children. I second Karen's recommendation for having passwords available and lists of all accounts.
It was so nice that the cousins were able to attend the services. Sad, though, that it often take a funeral to get far-flung relatives together again.
Pat
My go-to ruler for Flying Geese has been the Flying Geese x 4 by Lazy Girl designs. Great range of sizes, fast and easy, no waste. And once you get the 4-at-a-time method, you don't want to make them any other way! I'm always in favor of making it the accurate correct size from the beginning and not having to trim to size after sewing!
I like your stars - they are very small tho - but how precise are you! I love it.
no - you are not crazy - after my Dad passed and I had to finalize everything ( mom passed right before him) I saw how all their planning helped me do the things right, and super easy - so we did the same... just got on it - and it feels good to have it done. All to say - I empathize with you.
I am so glad your family all got to be together tho - that had to be such a comforting thing.
Okay, looks like I'm playing catch-up again: My deep condolences on your Mother's passing. I have to agree with Alycia regarding planning for burials. My mother had sat down with me to show me everything she had prepared for my grandmother who at the time was in a nursing home, mute and non-ambulatory from Parkinson's. At the time I listened but thought, "why do I need to know this?", wouldn't she or her brother handle all of this when the time comes? Well, my mother passed away a year before my grandmother did (which was probably a good ten years after we had that "talk") and no my uncle was NOT at all prepared or knowledgeable about what had to be done and wasn't emotionally equipped to handle it either. I don't now WHAT I would have done had she not shared that information with me. With it, I had the exact guidelines for setting up her burial (which surprisingly she had not prepared for HERSELF despite all that prep she did for my grandmother) and then could also calmly handle my grandmother's arrangements when she passed that next year and then helped my uncle set up his after that on his request. I remain forever greatful that in that time of grief, I didn't have to actually try to THINK, figure out and make decisions about all the arrangements that have to be made when someone dies. Yes, you'll still grieve but at least in that moment you are able to get through it all without breaking down until AFTER it's all completed.
Now on a lighter note -- regarding the Flying Geese: I had wondered why Nanette had talked about foundation piecing the FG for her Stonefields. I always make my Geese using the Quilt In A Day "Triangle Pieced Rectangle" method (which I call the "Two Squares method"). It is a "four-at-a-time" method and has a simple formula for figuring out the starting size squares for whatever size geese you want to make. Once pieced, they can be trimmed to size either with a regular ruler, with the templates of various sizes that QIAD sells that are marked to line up the FG angles (expensive but worth it and yes they have two that have the 1-1/2" x 3" finished size on them) or QIAD also has a "works for all sizes" slotted ruler which I have and have used but feel the individual templates are easier to work with. Kimberly Jolly has a Youtube video on her Fat Quarter Shop channel showing how to make them that way.
July seems to be my Flying Geese month, every quilt I have made has had them in it. I use the four at a time method and a Block-Loc to trim. If I don't have the right size, I use a creative grids square ruler to square them up. I start by cutting the "beak" end, lining up the quarter inch on the point and the 90 degree angle line with one of the wings. I bought the Bloc Loc sets when they first came out, at a quilt show where I met the designers and got a lesson from them. I have worn the markings off in spots, but the grooves really help to hold the layers steady.
Check out the Wing Clipper ruler by Deb Tucker Studio 180 to help cut the flying geese. oh I'm going to start my Stonefileds soon too! I just ordered the background fabric from Australia.
Love the accuracy of your star blocks. Have you tried Freezer Paper Piecing from bryan house quilts? MIght be a good alternative. I have tried this last year and it is very accurate.
I have not tried that method but I'm posting a link to the tutorial here in case anyone else wants to try it: https://bryanhousequilts.com/2025/05/freezer-paper-piecing-tutorial-2/. I have seen it before; it didn't appeal to me because right off the bat she says she gave up traditional FPP because of how long it was taking her to remove the foundation papers afterwards, and I can't relate to the problem she's trying to solve there. Trying to sew right up against the edge of a folded piece of freezer paper without ever having a single stitch go into that folded edge, and trying to fold the freezer paper up just to one side of the printed line so that your next-to-the-fold stitches land exactly where the line was, does not sound like it would be fun or satisfying for me, especially because tearing off the foundation papers after sewing is my favorite part of FPP! I have always followed the FPP instructions I learned in Carol Doake's books and I think that makes a difference: use a larger needle (size 90/15) with a "regular" strength sewing thread (50/3 cotton, not one of the lighter weight piecing threads currently in vogue), shorten your stitch length down to 1.5, and use newsprint or similar very lightweight paper, like what children's coloring books are printed on. The larger needle holes from the bigger needle, spaced closer together from the shorter stitch length, and the thinner paper make it so easy and satisfying to remove those papers after stitching. Fold, run my fingernail along the fold, open flat, and then a gentle sideways tug makes the paper pull apart and slide right out from underneath the stitches. It doesn't take me "longer to remove the papers than it did to sew the blocks" like Bryan House Quilts describes. Also I hate working with freezer paper, the way it shrinks and bubbles and curls. I just had to make a freezer paper template for one of the Stonefields blocks I'm prepping that has reverse applique and the freezer paper is driving me batty! Newsprint at least lays flat and stays flat when I press it with an iron with no shrinking, bubbling or curling. So those are the reasons why I personally am not interested in trying Freezer Paper Piecing, but I love that there are so many different ways to accomplish the same thing in quilting since what works great for one quilter might not be the best method for everyone! Thanks for the suggestion, Karin! :-)
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