Ruler Day

My group recently had a 'ruler day' where we all brought our
specialty rulers to show and tell and have a play.
Who knew there'd be so many!
 

This was my selection. Some I haven't used yet!
But plan too.
 

Beautiful roses from my friend's garden.
And a little friend to watch over them (and us).
 

HST Stencil

I was very fortunate to win a give away recently from the Quilting Gallery at the 'not so basic quilting tools' post.

These stencils allow you to mark your fabric to construct half square triangles. I'd seen them in blogland but didn't know where to get them. Now I can tell everyone you can get your own at Sunday Best Quiltworks.

I rough cut two squares from complementary contrasting fabrics. I followed the directions on the stencil label and there is also a video on you-tube.

I prepped my fabric by using a little spray starch and ironing the pieces right sides together. I pinned the stencil on and used a chalk pencil to mark the sewing line and a lead pencil to mark the cutting line (I used different colours to help reduce confusion - I need that).

After sewing, I chopped them up as directed, pressed to the dark side and trimmed the ears.

The hst's were pretty accurate, except I did discover that the white fabric was a poly or poly/cotton blend and didn't behave well (it had been given to me as I usually try to buy good cotton fabrics for quilting).

I give the stencils an A+ rating and consider them a valuable addition to my quilting tools.

Quilt Labels

This is one way that I do labels.

*The base of the triangle (which is the top long edge) is on the selvedge so I don't need to turn that edge under.
*The other two raw edges will be secured in the corner behind the binding.
*I heavily starch the fabric.
*The lines are ruled with a hera marker.
*I used magic tape
to secure the edges while I wrote my information. It easily lifts off without pulling on the fabric. (This is the same tape I use for foundation piecing 'repairs'.)
*I used a .5 black pigma pen and neatly printed:
**the name of my quilt
**'adapted from a design by...'
**who the quilt was for
**my details
**swap details
**date
**location.

I also use pre-printed labels (when I can find them) and labels I print myself (when my printer has ink).

How do you make your labels?

Gadgets

The Kwik Klip is one of my favourite gadgets. I use it to open and close the curved safety pins I use for basting. If you are still opening and closing by fingers only, you have to try this out. So much less stress on the little muscles in your fingers and hands. Made a huge difference for me.

Shari