Monday, September 03, 2012

Announcing the Modern Half Square Triangle Quilt-a-long!

I am so excited to kick off the Modern Half Square Triangle Quilt-a-Long! Today I'll share with you my inspiration for this quilt-a-long and the supplies you will need, and starting next week we'll start working on the blocks!

I saw this pin a few weeks ago, and I was captivated. I loved it, and when I clicked through the pin, and found that the man who created the design used the Perl program, and that he made it for his then-girlfriend, and that she made the quilt for him as a wedding present, I knew this was right up my alley! (I have emailed the gentleman who wrote the program that created all the blocks to ask his permission to host this quilt-a-long, but I haven't heard back from him.)

I loved the look of the blocks in black and white, and thought it would be fun to take these traditional block designs and make them 'modern' by only using two colors. (I am the type of person who likes to make things in the colors I first see them in, so this is really no surprise!)

I couldn't figure out how to assemble the blocks without drawing them all out, so I grabbed my gridded notebook and my black colored pencil and got busy.



There are 72 blocks, so this will take 72 weeks! Don't stress though - you can cut the fabric for several blocks at once, and assemble the blocks as you can. 

Each finished block will measure 8.5 inches. Feel free to make your blocks smaller or larger (you will need to adjust fabric requirements accordingly). I first made a few blocks 12.5 inches, so I'll compare those for you so you can see what you like best!

Supplies: 
5 yards each of two colors (or as many colors you would like to use!)
Rotary cutter, clear acrylic ruler, self-healing cutting mat, marking pen (more on this next time), lots of thread, sewing machine, iron

This yardage requirement assumes that you will cut 3.5 inch squares to trim down to 2.5 inch HSTs. I find that if I sew a scant 1/4 inch seam allowance I can use 3 inch squares to start. This requires far less yardage. You may want to try out your seam allowance to see what you can get away with. 

I will post one new block each Monday - and we will finish our quilt in January 2014! Yikes! I do think this is the best method - you can do four blocks at a time at the end of the month if that is easier. I recommend making several HSTs at once - it is easier to batch cut, sew and trim! 

Come back next Monday to see the first block! I am so excited! Even if you haven't made a quilt before, I think you can handle this one, so please jump in and join us - I am happy to answer questions as we go! 

24 comments:

  1. I'm in! This is going to be my red and white quilt, since I also think the 2 color thing will work best. (Theresa, formerly of Knitting Underway)

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  2. I am a pretty inexperienced quilter--I had to look up what HST meant. I think I might jump in. Off to go shopping.

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  3. This looks like a fun and easy quilt to make. I may join in. Thanks ~Jen

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  4. Suddenly I found you, and I'm always jumping into this kind of things. I like that my quilts will take time, so this is perfect. I'm in.

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  5. Block 1 made already. Waiting for number 2.

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    1. How can you already have made block 1 ????

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  6. Ooh, I'm a month behind in my blog reading, and I just saw this. I've been wanting to try out the pack of Thangles I got at the Houston Quilt Show - think they would work here? Never used them, but they seem to be the right size...

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  7. I just saw this, 9 weeks late but still: I am so IN. Can I put this in the QBS site on fb; or would you be interested in doing that?

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  8. In the past year I participated in several HST exchanges using Edyta Sitar's triangle papers and thangles. (2 inch finished HST) I have about 700 HST made from KONA white and assorted batiks. I do not know if that will qualify as Modern BUT I have to use what I have. This looks like a fun project to do. LOOKING FORWARD to the project.

    Nonnie

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  9. Anonymous9:46 AM

    I can't help wondering if 72 is all the possibilities or if there are yet more.

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  10. well i just found you at block# 19 so i am going to do some sewing to catch up and finish this with you. i just have to remember to come to the site each week and get the next block. i am so glad you put the past blocks online so people like me who find it and want to complete it with you can do so. i just haven't figured out what two colors i am going to use. i may use a variation of green and white. will check out my fabric in the next few days and make a decision. thank you so much. rachelle

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  11. I have never done anything like this, and I'm behind...but I think I can figure it out and catch up if you'll let me

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  12. OMG I just found your QAL and I saw the same pin a while ago.. I am making the exact same quilt! I have 5 blocks done so far.. Mine are 3" infinished hst's as I plan on adding a sashing between the blocks and I dont want the quilt to be too huge!

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  13. Any plans yet on how you are going to quilt this? I've been thinking about it for a while and havent come up with anything yet.

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  14. These blocks can be found in block base (and there are more) so he has no copyright on them.

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  15. What does HST mean?

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  16. Please include me. Love a challenge!

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  17. I've been looking for this for some time now. My parents had a navy and burnt orange quilt. I plan to use these two colors with all your patterns. THANKS!

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  18. I'm sorry that I didn't reply to your request for permission in 2012. I must not have received it, because I would have been thrilled.

    Anyway, you retroactively have my permission to host the quilt-a-long and to do whatever you want with the designs. Thanks for doing this wonderful project!

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  19. Just found this. How exciting that other folks are making this! Ours is falling apart now after 18+ years. I should repair it...

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