Magic 8's work Great for HSTs!

Not long ago, I stumbled across this ingenious Magic 8 method of creating HSTs (Half-Square Triangles) and knew immediately I had to try it out in a special quilt I've been working on... and it worked wonderfully well:

Eight HSTs cut from two giant squares of fabric after being sewn together

Created from two giant squares of fabric sewn right sides together diagonally, corner-to-corner:

Two squares of fabric sewn diagonally, corner to corner 1/4" from both sides of the drawn lines

And the HSTs reveal:

All pressed and ready for those 'dog ears' to be trimmed

Try this method out the next time you need a bunch of HSTs in a hurry - works great and LOTS of FUN, too ;-)

Time to get back to trimming those dog ears - just 78 left to go!

Later,
~Deb

Packing up for a QOV Sew-IN...just about finished!

Each month we pack-up ALL our sewing/quilting must-haves for our East Central IL QOV meeting. This time, we're packing to go sew Quilts of Valor with a sister guild in our area...what FUN!

So while it's primarily the same type of packing, when one goes 'visiting', we need to pack a few extra sewing/quilting goodies:

QOV Signature Blocks w/pigma pens

Our trademark Patriotic jelly roll! w/surprises peaking out to go with ;-)

Of course, NO sewing day would be complete without this main ingredient:

Our featherweight friend

Some much needed threads:

Some of our favorite threads

And ALL our sewing/quilting/cutting necessities:

Sewing/quilting packing just about finished - I'm sure we'll find something 'last minute' that must go but for now, just as soon as this latest storm passes, we're ready to load the car!

We still have to make final decisions on munchies but, think we've got that down to 2 choices...

We'll be sure and share the FUN, once we get some of those pics.

UPDATE 7/14/2015:  As promised, LOTS of neat pics from this recent QOV Sew-IN - a HUGE Success as a result of ALL the hard work and efforts by the Robinson, IL, Crawford County QOV Quilting Group:

Two very proud quilters of their 'almost finished' Quilt of Valor Quilt top -
as well they should be, isn't it gorgeous?!

Another door prize winner

Laying out the block rows of a Quilt of Valor Top

Sewers/Quilters busily sewing their QOV quilt tops - 50+ sewing Teams registered to sew together and create Quilts of Valor.  As a result, almost 60 Quilts of Valor will be created and Awarded during the Veteran's Day celebration in 2015

Another very proud quilter shares one of her completed QOV quilt blocks

What a beautiful smile ;-)

Our next generation sewing her gorgeous QOV quilt blocks

Two more happy door prize winners:

Isn't this eye-catching.  One of our Service Members or Veterans will surely be
more than proud to receive this wonderful Quilt of Valor...
Thank YOU, for all your quilting efforts!

And I almost forget - look what yours truly got to take home and show off to 'Miss Betty':

A taste of Crawford County - Thank YOU, Becky & Crawford County QOV Quilters!

What are some of your 'Must Haves' on a quilting/sewing retreat?  We'd love to hear and see some of your great pack & take tips!

Later,
~Deb