I’m sharing my weekly stash report today, along with some really helpful tips! It’s always fun to receive fabric you weren’t expecting…and this fat quarter bundle of Buttercup made my day! It’s not so good for the stash totals, though–these fat quarters add up to 10 yards!
I also added 1 ¾ yards of Kate Spain’s Central Park to my stash…I love this fabric! I’m working on my third quilt with it right now and will definitely be making at least one more!
And I needed one more yard of Make Life for a backing–I’ve sewn the back together and will get this off to be quilted…should help my stash totals out in a couple of weeks when I get this finished!
I don’t have any big finishes to share this week, but I did get my Amy Butler Dresdens sewn together (sorry for the sneak peeks, I’ll share the whole project when it’s finished).
And I did get Joanna’s block for the FatQuarterShop 2010 Designer Mystery Block of the Month sewn–love these Christmas lanterns! So my stash totals are 12 ¾ yards in and none used! This brings me to 66 ⅞ in for the year with only 47 ⅜ used–19 ½ added total! I’m not too worried, though, because I have several quilts almost at the finish stage, so in the next couple of weeks there should be a big reversal in these numbers.
Okay…now for the tips. First, I finally made these block boards shared by Carrie Nelson. I first saw them when I took a class from my friend Lori last year; however, for some reason I didn’t make them until now. Sometimes I have to see things more than once before they sink in! What an amazing help they’ve been already. I will probably make at least a couple more–and the 15-inch size Carrie suggests in her post are perfect! I love being able to fit 4 smaller blocks on one board.
Now…for tip #2. Another example of me not catching on “early in the game!” The little tool pictured above is the “Mini Fit to be Geese” ruler by OpenGateQuilts. I’ve owned it for awhile…at least a year I think. It came highly recommended by Carrie; she mentions it in her patterns, and she’s blogged about it. And she swears by it, so I bought it. But buying something and using it are two different things.
You see, I was skeptical. I like flying geese, and mine usually turn out well regardless of the method I use. So I was a little skeptical about a ruler that required me to sew the geese with triangles after I’d been using methods with rectangles and squares that worked just fine! Anyway, fast-forward to this weekend. I decided to give the ruler a chance. Can I just say this is a “quilt-life” changing tool?! Completely amazing! Your geese are a little big to begin with, then you trim them down.
I made over 100 in just a couple of hours. They. Are. All. Perfect! I wanted to make more flying geese because it was just so fun to have them turn out this way. I’m seriously thinking of looking for a pattern with the most flying geese I can find just so I can make more! Okay…so that’s it for today! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Mary on Lake Pulaski says
How much fun will you have with that fatquarter stack of Buttercup? I have to get that geese tool as I have been making LOTS of them lately.
V A N I A says
Those fabrics are wonderful!!!!! j love them so much!
bey vania
Mary says
I like the Christmas lanterns! The Buttercup stack is going to make an amazing quit! : )
Mama Pea says
Can't wait to see your dresden plates with the Amy Butler. Those look awesome! I love everything I see with Kate's Central Park. Yum. That tool looks cool. May have to try it. I've been paper piecing my geese using the new triangulations. That works well, too. It's not as fast as what you were able to pull off, though!
Carol says
Nice bundle of Buttercup fabric! I just bought that ruler for my Sweet Spot quilt; nice to know it works so well.
Darlene says
Fun Sunday Tidbits. 😉
Val says
I am jealous of your lovely fabrics but you made up for it with the tips on block boards and flying geese. Thanks.
Vicki @ DottyJane says
Thanks for the geese tool tip!
Mommarock says
Do you think you could make up a tutorial of how to use the tool.. while you are enjoying making your 10000 other flying geese?? I love the flying geese pattern, but I'm very much a visual learner..
Cindy says
Thanks for the info on the flying geese tool. I've made geese so many different ways and usually do okay but there are always a few that just don't come out correctly. I love the idea of making them a little big and then cutting down for perfection! I'll be looking for the tool next time I'm out and about!
badlandsquilts says
I have been looking at that tool…thanks for the recommendation.
LynCC says
OK. I've been eyeing that geese ruler, but like you, I've never had cause for complaint about my flying geese. I think you finally sold me on it, though! ;D
Annette says
You have me intrigued about the flying geese ruler. I think I'm going to have to give it a try.
Jo says
I have the ruler and like you, mine has been in the cupboard. Maybe I'll be it out…
Q says
Love those dresdens! I too bought the mini fit to be geese ruler, and am also doing this month's schnibble project, in it Carrie says you can't use it for the star's block flying geese, only the border's flying geese. Aren't they the same size, that didn't gel with me, would love to know if you saw that and if you know the reasoning?
I haven't started yet – my schnibble I mean, so that is going to be a challenge in itself for me.
karenfae says
I have a different flying geese ruler and I must say I forgot about it until I read your post. I just looked for it and sure enough I still have it. Now I will have to remember to use it. I love your stack of fat quarters!!
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Sharrieboberry says
Ha ha! I have the regular "fit to be geese" ruler but have not tried it yet! So you're not alone in having a "new" item that you just haven't tried!
Soon though, very soon, I will be trying it out!
Amanda Murphy says
Just bought one of those flying geese rulers. (I already have at least 3 others, but I could't resist.) Can't wait to try it!
Amanda
Strlady says
Discovered the fit to be geese ruler when we started the Schnibbles… has it been over a year? Wow! I cannot sing it's praises enough. I have the Mini and the regular size one too. I think Carrie (Miss Rosie's) and Nicole (of Sister's Choice Quilts blog) have tutorials on how to use the ruler.
Happy to hear you hopped on the band wagon!!
Stephanie says
Beautiful dresdens. :o) I'm not a tool kind of gal but I do like to know when there is a "must have" one out there.
Magnolia Bay Quilts says
I'm loving the dresdens! So pretty!
Thanks for all the tips. Your flying geese really are perfect. I'll be giving this tool a try!
Comfort Cove Designs says
That fat quarter bundle looks delicious!!!! ooh the projects!!!
I too like doing flying geese blocks. I made a quilt top out of them years ago. It still needs to be quilted. I hope to hand quilt it later this year so my little boy will have it for his "big boy" bed next year.
Quiltingly Yours
Andrea
Marti says
Thanks for the tip on the flying geese. I need one of those tools now!
Grayson says
You've convinced me to try out the Mini Fit To Be Geese ruler. I love Flying Geese, but mine don't tend to turn out quite so perfect, and I do so love a perfect point! Enjoying your blog!
Grayson
Austin, TX
Debbie says
Hi, I am making snowballs, by Natalie Lymer. Wonder if I can use the ruler?