The Magic 8

Well, the New Year is underway and Tucker and Mason headed back to college today.  I suppose it's time to buckle down again.  

 My Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt class is this week at 

The Pine Needle.

  My instructor, Sandi Ray past away very suddenly a couple months ago leaving a great void and sadness.  She will be missed.  :(

The Magic 8 is a wonderful technique that Sandi shared with the class. The technique has been around, Sandi could not claim fame to it...but I think it is wonderful and so am sharing it with you.

1.  determine finished size of the desired half square triangle

2.  add to this number 7/8"

3. multiply that total by 2

4. using that total, cut one square each from 2 different fabrics

My finished half square triangles will be 1-1/2"

add to that, 7/8" = 2-3/8"

2-3/8" x  2 = 4-3/4"

I cut two 4-3/4" squares

 Place right sides together and draw 2 diagonal lines corner to corner

 Stitch 1/4" on either side of both drawn lines

Add caption

 Cut vertically measuring in 2-3/8".  This measurement is found by using the desired finished size half square triangle plus 7/8".

 Using the same measurement; 2/38", carefully cut across horizontally. Don't shift the fabric!

 Without moving your fabric, cut corner to corner on the marked lines.

 Repeat again cutting opposite corner to corner

 There you have it!!  Nice huh??

 My half square triangles measure 2" unfinished. I have one of Marsha McCloskey's Feathered Star Rulers; awesome for trimming!

I will be working on lots of Farmer Wife Blocks this week not to mention quilt tops that need quilting!!

Yup...time to buckle down!