Let's Do the Math on the HSTs of Part III for the Orca Bay Mystery Quilt...

Since I'm bored out of my mind w/sneezing, coughing, watery swelled up red eyes (those flu/virus gremlins just had to show up), and I can't see well enough to cut accurately or sew, thought I'd try and run the math on the half square triangles (HSTs) for Part III of the Orca Bay Mystery Quilt.  I give you fair warning:  PLEASE check my numbers before you go off sewing 150 of these PLEASE - and I accept NO burden of responsibility if you don't check my math and measurements after you make one or two of these units based on the * square in a square (SNS) method of Jodi Barrows (which I dearly love and swear by, especially if you like strip piecing like I do).

Here's a video demonstration of this marvelous method and a few extras to boot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMCx6cNOMhw
(Don't you just LOVE Jodi's chock-full of fabric/tools/goodies studio - I stop by and visit this video from time to time to not only refresh my memory on all the SNS options but to drool over her studio - can anyone say A-W-E-S-O-M-E?!)

DISCLAIMER:  I am NOT affiliated in any way - receive NO royalties, referral fees, and/or money, gifts, etc., from any recommendation from any Vendors online or offline, including the SNS method and tools.  I ordered and paid full-price for ALL my SNS tools, books, and videos, just to clarify...Thank YOU!

OK, now that all those details are out of the way, here's my math so far - according to Bonnie's Part III directions we need:

• (350) 2" pairs of half square triangles (HSTs in black prints and neutrals) = 2" finished size after sewing the pairs together and 11/2" finished size in the quilt
• PLEASE see **UPDATE below for change in the center square measurement:  Using *SNS method (above) that means we need: (88) different 3 1/2" or (3 3/8" as stated below in UPDATE) center squares sewn to (30 NOT 120 as previously stated since each completed unite will yield 4 HSTs) different 2" x 45" strips - what's neat about this method, you can make the 3 1/2" center squares out of one of the needed colors - let's say the black print and the 2" strips would then be out of the neutrals, or you can switch and make the 3 1/2" center squares out of the neutrals and the 2" strips would be different black prints - whatever you happen to have on hand in the appropriate measurements (I have a lot of 2 1/2" black printed jelly rolls, so will probably cut them up and use for my 2" strips and have a bunch of hunks of neutral fabrics I'll be cutting for my 3 1/2" center squares).  Just remember, each sewn unit of  3 1/2" center square w/four sides of 2" strips yields four (4) HSTs!
• FINAL Math tally, the short version:  (88) different 3 3/8" center squares OR (7.5) different 45" WOF 3 3/8" dark strips sewn to (30) different 45" WOF 2" neutral strips, once sewn/trimmed/cut in fourths yield 360 HSTs

Here's my math according to Jodi Barrows SNS methodology to get the center square cut size:  2" cut size of HST multiplied by the magic number of 1.414 = 2.828 plus 1/2" = 3.328 rounded to nearest 1/8" = 3.453 or rounded up to scant 3.5 which translates to 3 1/2" for the center square.  Even though I've checked the math several times, I've yet to sew even one unit since I don't trust myself yet to see well enough to cut and sew accurately (still waiting on those cold meds to kick in ;-).  So again, PLEASE check this and get back to us and let us know if this will work.  As soon as I can, I will do the same..Thanks so much!

**UPDATE:  the 3 1/2" measurement for the center square really needs to be 3 3/8" to be perfect or you need to go really, really scant if you use the 3 1/2" measurement.  I did it both ways and I even mistakenly grabbed a 1 1/2" strip from my quarter square triangle pile and had a heck of a time trying to figure out why my measurements were soooo off - must've been the cold meds, LOL.  I even went with the 3 3/8" center square on my second attempt to figure out what was wrong and started to make the same mistake with the 1 1/2" strip when the light bulb FINALLY went on, H-e-l-l-oooo!

Again, FINAL Math tally - the short version:  For (350) 2" HSTs using the *SNS method we need (88) different 3 3/8" center squares OR (7.5) different 3 3/8" - 45" WOF dark strips sewn to (30) different 2" - 45" WOF neutral strips, once sewn/trimmed/pressed/cut in fourths will yield 360 HSTs.  Since we only need 350 HSTs, you will end up with 10 extra.

So here's my final results using the 3 3/8" center square with 2" strips:

The top square has just been sewn with alternating 2" strips on all four sides of the 33/8" center square.  The bottom square unit has been trimmed using Jodi's Texas 2-step method with the SNS ruler.

I opted to use my 'spinning' cutting board so I could cut through both centers without disturbing the triangles:

And now the moment of truth, after ALL this cutting/sewing/pressing/cutting/sewing/pressing/cutting do we finally have finished 2" HSTs???

YES Indeed we do!  Here's the 'proof in the puddin' as we say down on the farm:

Alrighty then, we are back in the race sooooo.....let's get back to it, shall we?!

~Deb