Tag Archives: Combination Units

Journeys Month 2 – Triangle Units

Welcome to Stitchin Heaven’s Journeys Month 2. My helper for Month 2 is Amy Lemke, a talented graphic artist for Studio 180 Design. This month you are going to learn to make Half Square Triangles (HSTs) and Combination Units with your Tucker Trimmer I with Prints 1, 2, 5, 10, & 11. Label your fabrics and use your best cutting skills when cutting your starter squares.

Tip: I use plain paper plates and write on them what it is I have cut out. For instance, if you are new to using a Tucker Trimmer, I would label 6 paper plates: one for each print. Using a pen or pencil label the first plate “Print 1, Combination Units (unit D)”, and so on.

Half Square Triangle Construction

Note: For more information and left handed cutting and trimming directions, refer to the instruction that came with your Tucker Trimmer.

Step 1 – Mark two stitching lines ¼” on either side of the center diagonal. Draw the lines on the wrong side of all the 7” squares from Print 11. I like to use my Quilter’s Magic Wand™ for this task.

Step 2 – Layer the 7” Print 11 squares right sides together with the 7” squares from Prints 5 and 10. Stitch on the lines, then cut down the middle. Press away from Print 11 or open.

Layer.

Press.

Step 3 – Trim the units to 6½” using the Tucker Trimmer® I. Align the 6½” Sizing Diagonal with the seam and trim the first two sides.

Step 4 – Rotate the unit 180 degrees and align the 6½” Sizing Diagonal with the seam as well as the 6½” cleanup lines with the outside edge. Trim the remaining two sides to create your precise Half Square Triangle units. Label the units made with Print 5 Unit C, and label the units with Print 10 Unit B.

Make 8 each from prints 10 & 11 and prints 5 & 11.

Combination Unit Construction

Step 5 – Repeat steps 1 and 2 using the 7½” squares from Print 1 and Print 2 to make 4 Half Square Triangles. Press away from Print 2 or open. Do not trim!

Step 6 – Mark two stitching lines ¼” on either side of the center diagonal line of the pieced Half Square Triangles.

Step 7 – Position the pieced squares right sides together with the 7½” Print 11 squares. Note that the edges are not intended to match. Stitch on the lines, then cut down the middle. Press toward the large triangle.

Step 8 – Trim the units to 6½” using the Tucker Timmer® I. Align the 6½” Sizing Diagonal with the long seam and the Common Diagonal with the short seam. Trim the first two sides.

Step 9 – Rotate the unit 180o and align the Sizing and Common Diagonals with the seam as well as the 6½” cleanup lines with the trimmed edge. Trim the remaining two sides to create your precise Combination units. Label them Unit D.

Congratulations, you have learned to make half square triangles and combination units using your Tucker Trimmer I.

BlockBuster #9 – Three In One

4 Replies

This block requires your Tucker Trimmer I and V Block tools. BlockBuster 09 Three in One provides 3 different possible block layouts. The block is made up of V Block, Combination & Quarter Square Triangle units. I’m making Block 1 as a 12″ block, with 4″ finished units.

All of the units in these three blocks are the same (and placed in the same location), yet just by rotating the units and changing your fabric placement, you’ll get three very different blocks.

These are my fabric choices. I will be making Block 1. I decided where I wanted my fabrics in the block by looking at the colors in block 1 and assigned my fabric choice for the units.

I need four V Block units with the center triangle cut from the background fabric and the side triangles cut from each of my four fabric colors. For a 4″ finished unit I cut a 5″ WOF strip of the background and each of the four fabric color groups. (check the Size Cutting Chart in the tool instructions and on the tool itself.)

The center unit is a Quarter Square Triangle made from each of the four fabrics. I cut a 5 1/2″ square from each of my four fabrics. ( Check the Size Cutting Chart in the tool instructions.)

The corner units are Combination Units. Each combo unit is made from fabrics that match the side triangles on either side of the V Block units and the background fabric. Cut 2 each 5 1/2″ squares from each of the four fabrics and four 5 1/2″ squares from the background fabric.

V Bock Units

Everything you need to know for making V Block units is in the tool instructions. I’m starting with the V Block center triangles. To cut the center triangles, layer no more than two layers deep. Fold the ends deep enough to accommodate the slanted cut for a 4″ finished unit and finger press it.

Position the tool on the strip so that the dashed line labeled “Fold Line for Center Triangle” is aligned with the fold and the correct size line of the tool is against the bottom edge of the strip. Trim along the slanted edge of the tool and unfold to reveal the center triangle pieces.

Move the cut triangles to the side and flip the strip over from top to bottom. Align the center triangle trim line with the previously trimmed edge and cut your next pair of center triangles. For this block you need four center triangles.

For the Side triangles. place the strips facing each other, either right sides or wrong sides together on the cutting mat. Locate the bold solid line on the tool that reads “Cut Line for Side Triangles”. Position that line against the trimmed end of the strip and the proper size line against the bottom of the strip. Trim along the slanted edge of the tool.

Cut one set from each of the four fabrics.

Lay out the V Block units, making sure you are lining up the long edge of the side triangles with the edges of the center triangle. Position pieces right sides together lining up the slanted cut edges “tip to tip” and stitch one side triangle to the unit. Press toward the side triangle. Position second triangle, stitch & press as shown. Repeat with the other V Blocks.

Lay the V Block unit on the cutting mat with “V” pointing toward you. Lay the tool on the unit aligning the “Finished Size” measurement with the seam lines. Trim up the right side and across the top. (For left hand cutting directions see tool instructions.)

Lift the tool and rotate the unit. Reposition the tool on top aligning the correct “Cut Size” measurements with the previously trimmed corner and “X” with the sewn seam intersection. Trim up the right side across the top.

Quarter Square Triangle – Center Unit

Check the Size Cutting Chart to determine size of the starter squares. For 4″ finished units cut one 5 1/2″ square from each of the four colors. Make half square triangles (HST) by marking two diagonal lines on the back of 2 of the fabric squares with your Magic Wand, stitch on the lines and cut apart. Press seams toward the darker fabric. Do Not Trim. Check your fabric placement choices to determine which fabrics to make HST’s out of.

Note: When making half square triangles, combination units and quarter square triangles, you will be making two units at a time. You can make two blocks or save the units for something later.

On the back of one of the HST’s, use your Magic Wand and mark two diagonal lines. Position the HST units right sides together, carefully nesting the sewn seams. Stitch on the lines, cut apart and press swirling the center.

Position your Tucker Trimmer over the pieced unit. Carefully align both the common diagonal and the size diagonal lines over the sewn seam lines. Trim up the right side and across the top. Lift the Tucker Trimmer tool and rotate the unit. This time be sure to position both the common diagonal, the size diagonal lines and the outline of the square to the exact measurement desired. Right hander’s trim up the right side and across the top, while left hander’s will trim up the left side and across the top.

Combination Units

Check you fabric placement choice to group your fabrics for making the combo units. There are three 5 1/2″ squares (one background & 2 darker fabrics) for each combo unit. Start by making half square triangles (HST) by marking two diagonal lines on the back of one of the darker fabric squares and placing it right sides together with the other dark fabric square. Stitch on the lines and cut apart and press. Do Not Trim. Do this for each color group.

Mark two diagonal lines on the back of one HST. Place one HST on one background square centering it and stitch on the lines.

Cut apart and press toward the large triangle. When you make combination units with this process, you are making mirror image combo units. You will only need one set of combo units for one block. Deb Tucker has a Non Mirror Combo Technique Sheet that shows you how to make only the combo units you need.

Position the Tucker trimmer over the unit, carefully aligning both the common diagonal and the size diagonal with the stitched seams. Right hander’s trim up the right side and across the top, while left hander’s will trim up the left side and across the top. Lift the tool and rotate the unit. This time line up both diagonal lines and the outline to the exact measurement desired and trim as before.

Lay out your units and stitch into rows, pressing as shown.

Stitch your rows to make your block. I now have BlockBuster’s #1 – #9 completed! Time to make a quilt!

BlockBuster 4 – Capital T Variation

9 Replies

This is a great block. 04 Capital T Variation requires the use of your Wing Clipper I, & Tucker Trimmer I. You’ll be making flying geese, combination units and quarter square triangles. The supply list shows 3 block options. I chose the first 3 color combination because I’m using some Kim Diehl fabric with a cream background for all my BlockBuster’s so I can make them into a cohesive quilt when I’m done. You have 3 size choices. I chose to make mine 12″ blocks with 4″ finished units.

All the instructions you need to make the units required for this block are with your Wing Clipper & Tucker Trimmer. In both there are size charts that tell you what size to cut your starter squares depending on the finished or cut size of your units. When making your block you will want to pay close attention to your color placement.

Remember when making your flying geese, your large square becomes the body and small squares become the small triangles in your geese. I have cut my starter squares to make 4 geese with a blue body and gold wings, and 4 geese with a gold body and blue wings.

On the backs of my small squares draw 2 diagonal lines using your Magic Wand.

Position two small squares on your large squares right sides together as shown above paying attention to your fabric choices. Nudge your small squares in toward the center just a thread or two (about a 1/16″). This will give more to trim off later.

Stitch using a scant 1/4″ seam allowance.

After stitching, cut apart.

Press toward the small triangles. Remember “what you are pressing toward – always goes on top”!

Position one small squares on the corners of the previously pieced units, nudging the squares away from the edges as before.

Stitch using a scant 1/4″ seam allowance. Cut apart.

Press toward the small triangles.

Position your flying geese unit pointed toward you (left handers see your Wing Clipper instructions). Align the diagonal lines on your tool with the seams in your unit. As you can see I’m am making a 2″x4″ finished flying geese, so the cut size is 2.5″x 4.5″. Trim the two sides as shown.

Rotate your unit and reposition the Wing Clipper to align the previously trimmed edges and the X at the top with the intersection of the seams and trim again.

Repeat with all your flying geese units. I now have two sets of 2.5″ x 4.5″ flying geese.

Combination Units: after checking my size chart I know my starter squares for 4″ finished units are 5.5″. I cut one gold, one blue and two background squares, all 5.5″.

Combination Units start by making half square triangles.

I grabed my Magic Wand and drew two diagonal lines on the back of one of my gold 5.5″ square. Position the gold square on the blue with right sides together and align the edges. Stitch on both lines using a scant 1/4″ seam allowance. and cut apart.

Press toward the dark triangle. Grab your Magic Wand again and draw two diagonal ines on the back of both Half Square triangles.

Position each half square triangle on a 5.5″ background square, right sides together centering it. Stitch using a scant 1/4″ seam allowance. Cut apart as shown above.

You now have 4 combination units. Note: this process creates units that are “mirror images”.

Position the Tucker Trimmer over the unit, carefully aligning both diagonal lines with the stitched seams as shown and trim.

Rotate the unit and line up the Tucker Trimmer again. This time be sure to position both diagonal lines and the outline of the square to the exact measurement desired and trim again.

Four beautifully trimmed combination units for the corners of our block.

Quarter Square Triangles: Check your size chart. These are 5.5″ starter squares.

On the back of my gold square I have again used my Magic wand to draw to diagonal stitching lines.

Position the gold square over the blue square, right sides together, aligning the edges. Stitch using a scant 1/4″ seam allowance and cut apart.

Press toward the dark triangles. Using your Magic Wand Draw 2 diagonal lines on the back of one half square triangle.

Position the two half square triangles right sides together, making sure the colors are opposite each other (my gold is against the blue and vice versa) carefully nesting the seams as shown above.

Stitch using a scant 1/4″ seam allowance. Cut apart and press swirling the centers as shown above.

Position the Tucker Trimmer over the unit carefully aligning both diagonal lines over the seams lines of the unit. Trim two sides as shown.

Rotate the unit and line up both diagonal lines again along with the outline of the unit to the exact measurement desired and trim. Only one quarter square triangle is needed for this block center.

Layout your units as shown above being careful of color placement. Notice the body of my geese follow the colors in the quarter square triangle. And the colors in the combination units are the same as the wings on the geese.

Stitch your geese together in pairs as shown above.

Stitch 3 units into a row as shown above.

This shows how I pressed the block. The outside rows were press toward the combination units, while the center row was press toward the quarter square triangle. This allows the rows to nest nicely.

The finished 12″ Capital T Variation block! I love It!

I Love a Pieced Border

4 Replies

I have been dying to make this quilt pattern. It is called Twister by Deb Tucker from Studio 180 Design. It is a companion pattern for the Tucker Trimmer Tool. I chose a focus fabric by Allison Glass called Lucky Penny from Andover Fabrics. My Twister is not yet quilted and measures 76″ by 96″.

The twister block and the pieced border consist of combination units. Following the detailed instructions I cut my fabrics. I positioned two fabrics, marked the stitch lines and sewed on the lines.

Cut apart and press to the dark.

Position the half square triangles on another square, mark the stitch lines.

Sew on the stitch lines and cut apart.

Press toward the larger triangle and square up to 4 1/2″ using your Tucker Trimmer I.

Position a small square, mark it and sew on the line.

Trim and press.

This pattern requires 136 combination units. Sort the mirror image combination units into two groups. Group 1 will be used for the Borders and group 2 will be used for the blocks. I know it sounds like a lot of combination units but it goes very fast. The pieced border went together beautifully! The instructions are detailed and very easy to understand. I will be teaching it this spring.