Half Square Hell

Anyone ever look at a stack of HST and think, "what the hell!" 

That's me each and every time I look at even one HST. So, times that by 200ish. 

I belong to the no waste community of quilters. It's just wrong criminal tossing so much good fabric away. So while making my latest pattern, I ended up with a 200+ HST byproduct.

Jokes on me. As part of my design I used flying geese so I could avoid trimming HST. 

Who's not laughing now. 

Back to the drawing board on the design. The pattern ended up using HST. Less fabric use, less waste.

A quilting miracle did occur recently. I hosted a quilting bee at my house with some NHMQG members to help teach the members about paper piecing and while people waited to use a machine they started trimming.

And trimming. And trimming ... Finally I got some quilting minions! 

Eventually the whole stack was completed. It was a great day.

Now that these suckers are all trimmed it was fun to get out my HST Quilt Along pages and start over with this bold array of colors. The best part was knowing that no trimming would have to happen :)

Check out the blocks so far. At this point my original Sunrise Stars pattern is a 2 for 1 special. Oops.

Eventually there will be 16 blocks ... so more to come. 

Luckily, I am headed to retreat this weekend. 

Tomorrow is only a day away!!!!!! 

There is so much potential packed away right now, maybe too much. Either way I will be excited to share what I am able to accomplish in three sewing days! Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty is my wonderful co-pilot as we head north to Marden's then retreat, oceanside. 

I am already doing a victory dance as I finish packing thinking how great it's going to be! 

Turncoat: Sunday Stash

turncoat |ˈtərnˌkōt| 

nouna person who deserts one party or cause in order to join an opposing one.

I have been a loyal Kona girl since the dawn of my quilting days. Proof is in the fact, I have only bought Kona, for years. 

Rhonda Ruth Kona Bundle 

The NHMQG has been working with a large donation of Michael Miller Cotton Couture fabric. It might have won me over ... 

The fabric is so soft and luxurious. I might be a convert, or worse a turncoat ... 

This bundle of Desert Bloom Michael Miller Cotton Couture just happened to show up on my doorstep. Thank you Fat Quarter Shop for putting together this perfectly curated bundle. 

Just to make sure I hadn't let go of all my quilting roots I did get the 2016 Kona color of the year: Highlight. Then some coordinating fabrics also fell into my cart.  Not truly a turncoat yet!

Net: + 5.75 yards
Year Total: - 15.25

2016: Sugar Block of the Month Update

Computer problems. Well, internet problems, Bloglovin' problems.

Something changed recently. Now I cannot comment unless, I close out of Bloglovin'.  Huge pain.  Also pictures won't load. I have been reading posts with huge photo chunks missing. Let's all agree it's one of a best parts about reading blogs, all that visual candy! Yum.

Not sure if my internet cannot keep up, my bandwidth went missing, or my 5 year old computer is finally showing signs of old age. Either way I have strayed a bit lately for my own sanity.

My apologies. Once I heal my relationship with Bloglovin' things will be back to normal. Whatever that is ...

Now for some Sugar Block. Don't bother looking for March, it didn't happen (I was on vacation!!!!).

APRIL: 

EXTRAS:

For the last round back in 2014, I ended up making 30 blocks in total for a nice big quilt and planning the same this time around. Truth be told, I wasn't a fan of March. So, I didn't make it. Instead I opted for a couple of my Picnic Pinwheel blocks to fill the void.

So far I love all these blocks. Oh, delight. 

More HST's for Charity

Last one for a while ... 

The end has arrived.  Throughout the last year, I have systematically worked through my WIPs and quilted all my finished tops. This last check in the charity column was super rewarding! 

The quilt started with 40 - 10 inch square scraps and became HST's. Shamefully, I remember there being no dent in the scrap bin, even with the scrappy binding. 

Quilt Stats: 

• Finished Size: 48 inches x 60 inches 

• Pattern: Half Square Tringles

• Fabric: Scraps

• Batting: High-Loft Polyester 

• Thread: Connecting Threads - Lavender 

• Quilting: Straight Line

Usually with charity quilts, I like to experiment with something new. 

For this quilt, I tried high-loft batting. Truth be told, it wasn't my favorite. The back puckered as the spray basting stopped holding. It looks very fluffy and inviting, but a pain to quilt. 

Verdict: not again. I am going to stick with my beloved 80/20 blend. 

Net: - 4.5 yards

Year to Date: -21 yards