Trimming Slivers

ninety-six HSTs and trimmings
May 2020

Another Quilt of Valor is in the works: this one using the four-patches I posted last week. I'm using a pattern I saw on a Missouri Star Quilt Company video tutorial. The video directions did not use half-square triangles. The tutorial's method created a LOT of "waste" or "bonus" HSTs. I wanted to avoid creating even more scraps, so I decided to make the secondary block with HSTs, making eight at a time.

Using this method easily created the necessary 96 HSTs for the quilt. The final step which I dread when making HSTs is trimming; however, I was happy that eight at a time method created only slivers of trimmings to make them square and accurate.

sneak peek at two blocks
for the new QOV

Let 'er Buck!

Steamboat and rider made from old license plates
Albany County Office Building
Laramie, WY
May 2019

The bucking horse (Steamboat) and rider have been on the Wyoming license plate since 1936. Information and history of the design can be found on the Wyoming Secretary of State website.

Information about the rider and the horse can be found here.

The Wyoming license plate is one of the most collectible plates because of the iconic image of Steamboat and his rider.

Adding Up

one by one scraps become blocks
May 2020

Weekly FaceTime calls have resulted in scrap busting, and the results is adding up. I've been making four-patch blocks, and eventually turning those units into eight-patch blocks, and then finally into sixteen-patch blocks. The sixteen-patch units will be used to make another Quilt of Valor.

Making Progress

close-up of twining
May 2020

Last week, I had some quality time with the twining frame and surprised myself with how much I got accomplished.

twining on the patio

Since twining is messy (strings and lint), I set up camp on the patio. A couple of neighbors dropped by to check out the process and to chat a bit.

eight inches completed at the top and at the bottom of the rug frame
May 2020

By Saturday afternoon, I had nearly half of the rug completed. I work from both ends for several reasons: it helps control the tension, it is motivating, it is easier to finish the rug away from the end of the frame.

I do not attempt to match the top and the bottom. When I start twining, I pull colors and separate the strips into two grocery bags (one for the top and one for the bottom). The bags contain the same colors and quantity of strips per color; however, when I'm twining, I pull the strips out randomly.

Scrap Dance Twist - completed

Scrap Dance Twist
61 x 73 inches
QOV #180

I like this pattern and plan to make a more patriotic version. It was a fun mystery quilt along.

bar stools
Laramie, WY consignment shop
May 2019

Alfresco Knitting

knitting in the sunshine