HST sewn and other finishes

     I spent a lot of time sewing. I was able to finish the top of my HSTeria quilt along quilt. I will not put borders on it. Although a black one might look nice. Hmm. Now I have to figure out the backing. Backings are my least favorite part of quilting. I like all aspects except this.

2 charm packs and yardage cut squares

    In addition, I put borders on a floral Exploding Squares and an animal diagonal tube quilt made from jelly roll strips. Borders are fussy and time consuming, but they are the frame and make the presentation stronger.

HST layout decided

      Now that the design wall was free of the gray stripey thing, I finished pinning up the Half Square Triangles. I tried a bunch of layouts. I had divided up both charm packs of Marcia Derse fabrics into light, medium and dark, but the divisions were not even-- the light ones had the least. As a consequence, there were a lot of dark clumps.

One of many tries

     I got out the camera again and used the B&W feature to find the best variation in values.

This was the layout I decided on.

    When I sew the blocks together, I sew the 1st row 1st block to 2nd block, then the 2nd row, 1st block to 2nd block, 3rd row 1st block to 2nd block until the last row. Then I will sew the 1st row 2nd block to 3rd block 2nd row 2nd block to 3rd block, etc. until I get all the rows pieced. With all the rows pieced, I sew pairs of rows together, like 1 to 2, 2 to 3, etc. Then I sew all the pairs seams until all the rows are sewn. If there is a better way, I am all for it. Shout it out.
    I mark each row with the row number and block position number. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 all across. I use blue painters tape that was rolled out a strip on my cutting board, cut it half lengthwise, and then across into little squares. I label the tape with a sharpie. 
    Then I take the cutting board with the numbers to the design wall and stick them on placing the number at the center top of the block so I always know the orientation. 
     Last, I start with the first number in the row and stack them until the last number in the row is on the bottom. I use a small bulldog clip for each row to keep track of the rows. I arrange these on my sewing table and pull then out in order for piecing. No matter if I am interrupted or have brain interruptions, it stays in order because it is numbered and the top side is plain. It may sound like a lot of fussy work, but it pays off in streamlined sewing and NO ripping.

Partial view of the numbering while on the wall

Ready to roll

HST arranging

     I am having difficulty arranging the HSTs because of the choice in the charm packs. I am limited in values and amounts. I tried a bunch of ideas and thankfully Vicki had some more arrangements on her blog today. The third one on her post seemed like it was more all over in its effect which is needed with the fabrics  I have. I think that might be the choice.

HST sorted by Value

Idea 1

Another idea

Ignore the gray stripey thingey

Today's idea, lousy lighting

HST Adventure

    One of my favorite bloggers, Vicki Welsh, http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_trips_in_fiber/, is sponsoring a Half Square Triangle Block Quilt Along called HSTeria Quilt Along.We can choose our own patterns and fabric, but use Half Square Triangles. 
     I am going to use two Marcia Derse charm packs I bought at Missouri Star Quilt Company and some black and white fabric from my LQS, Kim Schaeffer from Andover as the other half of the triangle. I have no pattern in mind. As mentioned by Vicki, I bought a copy, used, of Spectacular Scraps by Judy Hooworth and Margaret Rolfe. In there are many layout ideas. Once I have all the blocks made, I will decide how to put it together. This is a challenge to myself. I was a little disappointed in the Derse squares as they were grayer in color than I like. I like fabric a little brighter. I am hoping the black and white will help. 
     Wanda, on her blog, is doing gorgeous colors with her HSTs. 
     I took some photos of my start. I make HST with the lines down the square method as when I sew triangles, the bias always gets me.

The charm packs, some samples made, and the black and white fabric

My favorite tool to draw the lines and all the blocks paired up ready to sew

Chain, chain, chain on the Singer 15-91

The whole pile chained

All ready to cut apart