Tag Archives: Deb Tucker

Celebrating GALentine’s Day

First things first… I am an Island Batik Ambassador!!! I am so excited to have been accepted as apart of this talented group of quilters. Island Batik Company has been around for over 15 years providing quality products and outstanding customer service.

Island Batik Ambassador’s are from all over the world. As an Island Batik Ambassador, I will be sharing their fabric lines and projects to help inspire you. Every month there will be something new to share.

I am one of those people who can’t stand to be late. Even when I try to not to be the first person at the party, I’m always on time! The 2017 Island Batik Ambassador’s just ended their year with the Four Season Blog Hop January 31st. The boxes filled with Island Batik goodies for the 2018 Ambassador’s have been mailed. Unfortunately mine will be delivered while I’m away at a quilting retreat. I can’t stand to be late so I pulled out some Island Batik fabric from my stash to share my GALentine’s Day project with you.

If you were a Parks & Recreation’s fan you’ll remember when Leslie Knope created “Galentine”s Day” as a celebration of our best gal pal’s and lady friends! So this February 13th (that’s right, the day before Valentines Day) let’s celebrate our fellow females who encourage and inspire us.

I heart you.

I am also a Studio 180 Design Certified Instructor, so the way I roll is with Deb Tucker Tools! This Mug Rug was made with Deb’s Split Rects & Corner Pop Tools.

I started by choosing my Island Batik fabrics from the Drizzle Collection and my favorite thread from Aurifil. I made this Mug Rug by making two 3″ x 6″ finished mirror image Split Rects units. First thing was to check the size chart in my Split Rects instructions. I had fat quarters of dark purple & light purple, and yardage of my background fabric. The tool instructions will tell you that for 3″x 6″ finished units you will need 7″ wide strips of each color. I cut a 7″ strip from each of my purple fat quarters, and a 7″ WOF strip from my background fabric.

For Mirror Image units I placed my purple 7″ strips right sides together and trimmed off the selvages.

Right handers place strips horizontally on the cutting mat and position the tool on the strip with the broad black line against the trimmed end of the strips and the desired finished size guide line along the raw edge of the strips. Trim along the slanted edge of the tool. You will now have mirror image elongated triangles. (See tool instructions for left handed cutting.)

Repeat the process and cut two mirror image elongated triangles from your background fabric. Place the background triangles with purple triangles as shown above.

Stitch the elongated triangles by placing them right sides together with the long, bias edge of the pieces aligned. Because they are oversized there is no need to fuss, just center the two pieces with just a bit of overlap at the ends and stitch. I press the seams open, but you can press to the dark if you are morally opposed to pressing the seams open.

First trim, for right handers, position the unit horizontally on the cutting mat (see tool instructions for left handed trimming). Align either the “Common Diagonal” or the correct “Size Diagonal” with the seam you have sewn (this will vary depending on the slant of your unit). The photo above has the common diagonal lined up with the sewn seam. Check to make sure that the unit is completely contained within the trim down lines for 3″x6″ unit. Trim up the right side and across the top. Lift the tool and rotate the unit. Reposition the tool over the unit. Align the cut size measurement with the trimmed corner and the same Common Diagonal line used the first time. Trim the two remaining edges.

For the second Split Rects unit you will use the “Size Diagonal” line (this will vary depending on the slant of your unit) positioned over the sewn seam making sure the unit is completely contained within the 3″x6″ trim down lines. Trim up the right side and across the top. Lift the tool, rotate the unit. Align the cut size measurement with the trimmed corner and the same Size Diagonal line used the first time. Trim the two remaining edges.

You now have two perfectly trimmed mirror image Split Rects Units. For the top of our heart I used Deb Tucker’s Corner Pop tool.

Cut two 3 1/2″ squares, one from the dark purple & one from the light purple fabric. Cut two 2″ squares from the background fabric, and then cut them once diagonally ( the size of the replacement triangle squares varies per cut away size & is found in the chart in the tool instructions).

With the Corner Poop tool you can choose from 22 size options and remove a 90 degree corner from your base unit while leaving the 1/4″ seam allowance. For this project I popped off a 3/4″ corner from the dark purple 3 1/2″ square. Place the 3/4″ ruler lines over the corner you wish to remove as shown above and trim.

Center the replacement triangles right sides together with the base shape and stitch. Press toward the small triangle.

Locate the Trim Down Section on your Corner Pop tool and find the diagonal line that corresponds to the Cut Away Size, which is 3/4″. Trim away the excess replacement triangle fabric, returning your base square to its original size.

Repeat the process and pop off one more corner as shown above. Center & stitch the replacement triangle, press toward the replacement triangle.

As before, locate the Trim Down Section on your Corner Pop tool and find the diagonal line that corresponds to the Cut Away Size, which is 3/4″. Trim away the excess replacement triangle fabric. Your unit should look like the one above. Repeat this whole process and pop off the corners of the light purple 3 1/2″ square.

You should end up with the four units above.

Stitch the light purple heart top to the dark purple split rects unit and Stitch the dark purple heart top to the light purple split rects unit. Press one seam towards the split rects unit and press the other towards the heart top. Re-Press one seam of the heart top unit that was pressed toward the split rects so the seams will nest when the unit halves are sewn together.

I pressed the center seam open to avoid bulk.

Measure your heart. Mine measures 6 1/2″x 9 1/2″. I cut two strips 1 1/2″x 9 1/2″ and sewed them on either side. Measure your heart gain. I needed 2 strips 1 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ and stitched them on the top and bottom of my heart.

My mug rug top measures 8 1/2″ by 11 1/2″ so I cut a piece of scrap batting & backing one inch larger, 9 1/2″ by 12 1/2″. Using my walking foot I quilted the 3 layers using a simple cross hatch design with Ivory Aurifil thread.

I finished it with 2 1/4″ binding cut from my left over fat quarter.

Tucker tried her best to keep me from finishing my GALentine’s Day Mug Rug, but I am pleased with the finished product.

#islandbatikambassador #islandbatik #iheartislandbatik #happygalentinesday #happyvalentiesday #galentinesday #valentinesday #thebestfrombali

BlockBuster #7 – Whimsy Turndash

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I love this block So sweet & easy. All the instructions you will need for BlockBuster # 07 Whimsy Turndash came with your Square/Squared & Tucker Trimmer I tools which are required to make this block. You will also need to reference your Little Houses Technique Sheet.

Whimsy Turndash is made up of 3 different units. Unit A is Square/Squared, one for the block center. Unit B is Little Houses, 4 are needed. Unit C is Half Square Triangles (HST), 4 are needed for the block corners. I made a 12″ finished block containing 4″ finished units.

The Whimsy Turndash supply list (link in the first paragraph above) offers you 3 different layouts and a black line master to play with. I chose 2 colors and a background fabric shown above.

Unit A – Square/Squared: Determine the desired finished size of your unit. Go to the Center Square Section on your Square/Squared Tool. Mine finished size is 4″, The Center Square Sections tells me to cut a strip 3 1/2″ wide.

I already trimmed off the selvage of my 3 1/2″ strip. Place the line for 4″ finished units on the bottom of the strip up against the trimmed end. Trim up the left side and across the top. You now have a perfect precision cut center square for your unit.

On your Square/Squared tool find the Size Chart for Triangles. For 4″ finished units I cut two 3 1/4″ squares and cut them once diagonally.

Center a side triangle over the center square and stitch. Center another side triangle to the opposite side of the center square and stitch. Press toward the side triangle.

Center another side triangle as before and stitch, repeat on the opposite side so all sides of the center square have a side triangle stitched to it, press toward the side triangle.

Position the Trim Down Section of your Square/Squared tool over the pieced unit. Focus on aligning the “X’s” for your particular finished size unit. Mine is 4″ finished, so there is a 4 at each corner of the center square. Trim up the right side and across the top. Check your tool instructions for Left handed cutting tool position.

For the second cut Lift your tool & rotate your unit. Position the tool lining up the “X’s” again and lining up the cleanup lines on the tool with edges previously trimmed. Trim up the right side and across the top.

Unit B – Little House: You will need to make 4 Little Houses. Each little house is made up of 3 squares, one large and two small. For a 4″ finished unit cut four 4 3/4″ squares and eight 2 3/4″ squares.

Begin by marking a diagonal line on the back of your small squares, this will be a stitching line.

Note: you may want to mark an additional line 1/2″ from the center diagonal line to use as a secondary stitching line for creating half square triangles out of the left over fabric.

Position one small square in one of the corners of a large square, right sides together, with the marked diagonal line going across the corner of the large square as shown above. Stitch on both lines and trim apart.

Press toward the triangle. Position a second small square in the corner next to corner you just stitched. Stitch on both lines, cut apart press toward the triangle. Press your half square triangles to the dark. The small half square triangles are not used in this unit. If you don’t want to make them for another project just draw the one diagonal line and once it is stitched discard the corner fabric.

Using the Trim Down Section of your Square/Squared tool line up the peak of the House with the “X” corresponding with your finished unit size. Align the seams with the dotted lines extending down from the “X”. Trim up the right side and across the top.

Rotate your Little House around, and line up the two trimmed edges with the cleanup line corresponding to your unit cut size. This time aligning the peak with the “X” at the bottom. Trim up the right side and across the top.

Repeat with the other 3 large squares.

Unit C – Half Square Triangles: We need four Half Square Triangles. Go to the “Starting Square Size Chart” in your Tucker Trimmer instructions. I am making 4″ finished units, so I need to cut two 5″ background squares and two 5″ squares your color of choice.

Use your Magic Wand and draw to diagonal lines on the back of your background squares as shown above.

Place background squares right sides together with your color of choice squares, stitch on the lines, cut apart and press toward the dark fabric.

We always trim our units to the cut size. My HST are 4″ finished and 4 1/2″ cut size. therefore I look for the half circle in the corner of my tool and position the Tucker Trimmer over the unit with the half circle in the upper right hand corner, carefully aligning the solid diagonal line with the stitched seam as shown above. Trim up the right side and across the top. If you are left handed, you would position your tool with half circles in the lower left hand corner of the unit.

Rotate your unit and line up the trimmed edges with the corresponding cut size of your unit, and carefully aligning the solid diagonal line with the stitched seam as shown above. Trim up the right side and across the top.

Lay out your completed units. Sew into rows.

This is the back of the block showing how I pressed the seams.

I love the completed Whimsy Turndash and I hope you will too. This is a great block to practice these easy techniques with.

BlockBuster #6 Rolling Stone

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The Rolling Stone block is fun and easy. You will need the 06 Rolling Stone Supply List and your Studio 180 Design Square/Squared tool. All the instructions you need to make Square/Squared Units required for this block came with your Square/Squared tool.

The Rolling Stone supply list gives you 3 different color layouts, a black line master & 3 block size choices, I decided to make a 12″ block. Above are the 3 colors and a background fabric I chose.

Your Square/Squared tool has three different sections: 1. Size Chart for Triangles, 2. Center Square Trim Down Section & 3. Unit Trim Down Section.

Unit A: I am making 4″ finished units, so I checked my tool (The newer Square/Squared tools has Center Square strip width requirements based on the finished size of your chosen unit). I cut one strip 3 1/2″ wide ( this is slightly wider than needed). I’m right handed so I laid my strip horizontally on the cutting mat with the selvages to the left. Find the correct size square in the Center Square Section. Lay the tool on the fabric so the bottom line for a 4″ finished unit is even with the bottom edge of the strip.

Make two cuts, once up the right side, them across the top.

Rotate your square so it is aligned with the 4″ finished clean up lines on the tool and make one more cut up the right side as shown above. Cut four precision center squares.

Find the Size Chart for Triangles on your tool. For a 4″ finished unit I cut a strip 3 1/4″ wide. Cut 2 – 3 1/3″ squares for each Square/Squared unit, then cut them each once diagonally as shown above.

Position two triangles on opposite sides of the center square. No need to fuss with matching the middles as the triangles are larger than they need to be. Just lay the triangle down right side up and then center the center square over it eyeballing it to see if it is even on both sides.

Stitch & press toward the triangles.

Position the two remaining triangles on the two remaining sides of the center square as shown above. Press triangles away from the center square.

Position the Trim Down Section of your tool over the pieced unit. Focus on aligning the “X’s” for your particular size unit over the sewn seams. Trim two sides, then lift the tool and rotate the unit on the cutting mat. For the second cut, position the tool on top of the unit lining up the “X’s” and also lining up the cleanup lines on the tool with the edges previously trimmed. Repeat the steps to make 3 more Square Squared units.

Unit B: These are basically 2 1/2″ squares sewn together. I cut two 2 1/2″ strips of fabric and sewed them together along the length of the strips. For this block we need four 2 patch units and one 4 patch unit. Trim the selvage off and cut 2 1/2″ wide units. We need 6 units.

Take two units, and with right sides together, nest the seams and stitch. Swirls the center seams and press to make your 4 patch unit.

Unit C: For a 12″ clock cut a 2 1/2″ strip of fabric. Then sub-cut into four 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangles.

Lay out your block units.

Sew the Unit B – 2 Patches together with the Unit C – rectangles, press toward the rectangle. Now all your units are 4 1/2″.

Sew your Square/Squared units to your 2 Patch/Rectangle units and your 2 Patch/Rectangle units to your center 4 patch unit as shown above.

The back of the block shows I pressed the square/squared units toward the 2 patch units, and when I joined the rows i pressed the center out towards the sides of the block.

BlockBuster #6 – Rolling Stone. Nice block!

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Royal Treasures is here at last!

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After three long years of labor, Deb Tucker’s newest book, Hunter’s Star Royal Treasures, has finally arrived!

Royal Treasures is a follow up to Deb Tucker’s Hunter’s Star Hidden Treasures book. After publishing Hidden Treasures, which focused exclusively on throw sized Hunter Star quilts, Deb began getting requests and questions about bigger, bed-sized projects. Hunter’s Star Royal Treasures has over 40 brand new quilt designs, all made exclusively with Studio 180 Design’s Large Hunter’s Star Tool.

The quilts in Royal Treasures were created by Deb Tucker and dozens of Certified Instructors, including ME! With that many different creators there is something for everybody in this book.

I am over the moon proud to have my quilt “Waves of Joy” included in Royal Treasures! Waves of Joy is a King Size quilt made with fabric from V and Co., Simply Colorful II by Moda. I chose 4 basic colors with varying prints in each color. But you could choose to use a simple two color format of lights and darks.

Using Deb Tucker’s Rapid Fire Hunter Star process, you will increase your productivity and decrease your stress. Each Hunter Star block consists of 2 triangles. 2 trapezoids, plus 4 star points. It’s all about the color play.

I offer Hunter Star workshops where you will make a “Basic Recipe Wall Quilt” using the Hunter Star tool. When you are done you will understand and have the skills to make any Hunter Star quilt. Contact me for workshop information or find a Studio 180 Design Certified Instructor near you.

Sneak Peek – Whirling Dervish

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Coming soon to a quilt shop near you Deb Tucker’s newest pattern “Whirling Dervish”!

I love this pattern. It was so much fun, and it was easy! It is a companion pattern for the Tucker Trimmer 3. Can you believe I made this great block from strip piecing? The pattern can be made in Lap, Twin, Queen or King sizes! If you haven’t already, sign up for Deb Tucker’s Newsletter at Studio 180 Design so you will know when Whirling Dervish is released, or follow Deb Tucker on Facebook at “Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Design”.

Let’s go quilt something!

I Love New York OBW #62

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I had a really busy Fall teaching schedule this year. I am so looking forward to 2018. I got a jump start by making a quilt for Granddaughter Bailey’s 19th birthday. She absolutely loves New York City. We have visited there several times and walked from one end of the city to the other. I had this fabric from Timeless Treasures for several years. It just occurred to me that I must have been saving it for Bailey.

It is about 9 degrees in Central NY today. This is my 62nd One Block Wonder.

The back also has a New York City themed fabric. Happy Birthday Bailey!

Deb Tucker had a busy year also, Studio 180 has many new patterns out. I’m working on one now called Whirling Dervish that is so fun. I will be posting about it soon. There are also new Studio 180 Design Technique Sheets to expand our skills.

“Stacked Squares” is a technique that will allow you to make the “Economy” block perfectly every time without using paper foundation piecing. Like all Studio 180 Design processes, you’ll be constructing oversized units and then trimming them down. Above I made a block using the “Stacked Squares” technique sheet and the required Large Square/Squared Tool to make a square in a square, in a square in a square, in a square in a square, in a square in a square, in a square in a square, in a square in a square, in a square! Whew!

You have heard of the “Shaded Four Patch”, well here is a sample of what you can do with the “Shaded Nine Patch” units. The Shaded Nine Patch is an amazing unit that has endless possibilities all by itself or it can be combined with other fundamental units to create even more designs. With the Shaded Nine Patch Technique Sheet you can make this unit in 7 sizes.

I made this block using the Bird of Paradise Technique Sheet. This techniques requires the Large Square/Squared tool, it is so very cool. You can make this unit in 6 sizes from 1″x 2″ to 6″ x 12″.

I love this new “Eight at Once” technique sheet! With the Tucker Trimmer I you can make Half Square Triangles (HST) 2 at a time. With this technique you can make 8 HST’s at a time in 11 different sizes! Wowza!

Deb also gave us a new tool, the Four Patch Square Up. Four Patches are basic units that seem so simple to make. Just stitch 4 squares together and you’re good to go. But anyone who attempted these units knows they are notoriously difficult to make. The Four Patch Square Up tool is the solution. The tool’s perfectly engineered lines are designed to quickly locate and align with the unit center and sewn seams, allowing for easy trimming on all four sides. You will be able to make Four Patch Units in 12 sizes!

I played with the Four Patch Square up using Deb Tucker’s BlockBuster #24 Compounding Four block pattern. I love the design it makes when you put 4 blocks together.

I wish you all a Happy & Healthy New Year! Let’s go quilt something!

Studio 180 Academy 2017

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I just got home from teaching at Studio 180 Academy 2017 at the White Eagle Conference Center in Hamilton, NY! Wow did we have a great time! I am posting some pictures, but there are more at the Studio 180 Academy Facebook Page. Next Year, Studio 180 Academy 180 will be held in Zion, Illinois, September 19 – 22, 2018, so mark your calendars!

I made so many friends. It was absolutely fabulous!

Deb Tucker was there. Her keynote speech was wonderful!

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Sue Graf & I taught Sea Glass.

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Sue & I taught Northern Neighbours by Deb Tucker

Lynn Wheatley & Jackie Mowday taught Jenn’s Journey (a pattern by Michelle Hiatt)

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Sue & I taught Diamonds in the Sky (a pattern by Michelle Hiatt)

Jackie O’Brien the Purveyor of Paper Plates!

BlockBuster 5 – Whirligig

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This is a very cool block, but be sure to use your best pressing, measuring and cutting skills as this is a 3 out of 4 stars for difficulty. All the instructions to make this block can be found in the instructions that came with your Wing Clipper I, Tucker Trimmer I and on the Pickets & Quickets technique sheet.

This is a tricky block; you will need to pay attention to your fabric placement and the orientation of your quicket and picket units. To help you out here is link to the Whirligig Black Line Layout you can print this sheet and use your colored pencils to help choose your fabrics and placement.

I chose five colors and a background fabric to make 4 different color units, each containing 2 flying geese, a Picket, a Quicket and a half square triangle.

The 05 Whirligig block can be made in 3 sizes: 6″, 9″ and 12″. I chose the 12″ block. Check the Cutting Chart, and choose the size block you want to make. We will start with the Flying Geese Unit. The cutting chart gives you the finished and the cut sizes of the units. Check your Wing Clipper instructions to see what size starter squares you need to cut. As you know when using the Wing Clipper you start with one large square and 4 small squares.

Following the instructions use your Magic Wand and draw two diagonal lines on the back of your small squares.

Position 2 of the small squares right sides together in diagonally opposite corners of the large square, nudging them in toward the center by just a few threads

Stitch on both drawn lines, them trim between the lines on the center diagonal.

Press the seams toward the smaller triangles. One of these units will make 2 flying geese, the other will be saved to make a left slanted Quicket.

Position one of the smaller squares in the corner of the previously pieced unit. Nudge the square in like you did before. Stitch on the drawn lines and trim between the lines as before.

Press the seams toward the smaller triangles.

Position your oversized unit horizontally on your cutting mat with the goose pointing toward you. Align the diagonal guide lines of the Wing Clipper with the sewn seams of the flying geese unit. Trim up the right side and across the top. (See the Wing Clipper Instructions for left hand cutting.)

Lift your Wing Clipper and rotate your flying geese unit 180 degrees. Reposition your Wing Clipper to align cleanup guidelines with the previously trimmed raw edges and the “X” at the top with the intersection of the seams. Trim up the right side and across the top.

Remember we only used one of the heart shaped units for the flying geese. We will use the other to make our left slanted Quicket. Lay the unit on your cutting mat as shown above. Position your Wing Clipper tool over the unit, the “X” on the tool should align with diagonal seam. I am making a Quicket with a cut size of 4 1/2″ by 2 1/2″, so I positioned my tool to ensure I can trim all four sides.

Trim up the right side then across the top.

Lift your Wing Clipper tool and rotate your unit 180 degrees. Align the trim down lines with the just trimmed raw edges and aligning the long diagonal line on the tool with the single diagonal seam. Trim up the right side and across the top.

The cut size of my right slanted Picket is 2 1/2″ by 4 1/2″. Following the instructions on my Pickets & Quickets Technique Sheet, I bump up the size by 1/4″. My rectangle is 4 3/4″ by 2 3/4″. My small square is 2 3/4″. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the small square.

Position the small square right sides together with the rectangle and align the raw edges. Stitch on the line and trim the excess. Press toward the small triangle.

Position your Wing Clipper tool over the unit, the “X” on the tool should align with diagonal seam. Trim up the right side and across the top.

Follow the instructions that came with your Tucker Trimmer I for making Half Square Triangles (HST) in the size you chose. Using your Magic Wand draw two diagonal lines on the back of one of your starter squares. Place your starter squares right sides together. Stitch on lines and trim down the center. I pressed toward the dark fabric.

Trim the oversized HST to the desired cut size. Mine are 2 1/2″. (See the Tucker Trimmer Instructions for left hand cutting.)

Lift your Tucker Trimmer and rotate the HST 180 degrees position the diagonal line and the outline of the square to the measurement desired and trim up the right side and across the top.

We are now ready to sew this unit together. Layout the 2 flying geese, 1 left slanted Quicket, 1 right slanted Picket and 1 half square triangle as shown above..

First stitch the 2 flying geese together, press in the direct the geese are flying. Then stitch the geese to the right slanted Picket. Press toward the Picket.

Stitch the HST to the left slanted Quicket, pressing toward the Quicket.

Stitch the two sections together.

Repeat the process for each of the other 3 sections. If all of your geese are the same color you can make all your flying geese in sets of four, then make the Pickets & Quickets using the method in the technique sheet. When I stitched the four sections togehter I pressed the seams open to avoid bulk.

As I said in the beginning, “very cool block”!

Studio 180 Academy – 2017

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Studio 180 Academy is being held at White Eagle Conference Center in beautiful Hamilton, NY this September 20th – 23rd, 2017. This is an opportunity to spend time with Studio 180 Design Certified Instructors having fun and learning to use your Studio 180 Design tools. There are teaching teams for each of the 15 quilt classes being offered.

I (Jackie O’Brien) and Sue Graf will be team teaching 3 quilts:

Class#106 – Sea Glass. This quilt arranges diamond shapes in a unique way that reminds us of the glass shards found on the shore. Requires the Diamond Rects tool.

Class #205 – Northern Neighbours. Features intricate maple leaves and Flying Geese, this celebrates our Northern Neighbours. Requires the Corner Beam, Wing Clipper I & Split Rects tools.

Class #305 – Diamonds in the Sky. This is a Modern 180 Design by Michelle Hiatt. Requires the Corner Beam tool.

These are only 3 of the 15 classes being offered. There is still time to sign up and join us for 4 fabulous days together. If you are local you may also sign up as a Day Tripper. Deb Tucker will be our keynote speaker for this event. Check out the website for class offerings and registration www.studio180academy.com

Questions? Contact us at Studio180academy@gmail.com

It will be beautiful this fall, so spend some time with us.

BlockBuster 4 – Capital T Variation

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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.