A lost treasure

Saturday sewing is in progress here at DQ.  What are you up to?  The month of March is almost over.  I can hardly believe it.  So I have to get crackin on these tulip blocks or I'm not going to meet my deadline. 

So I asked myself..."Self, why are you procrastinating on these blocks?"

• Could it be that there are 39 of them?
• Or that there are like 195 hsts?  Seriously, I am not a fan of hsts. 

Last week, I started thinking about all of the hsts.  Drawing lines.  Pinning.  Yuck.  Then it was like lightning struck!  About 5 years ago, I bought this tool called The Angler 2.  I was a very inexperienced sewer.  I had never sewed a hst.  This quilt shop I was visiting was selling them.  So I bought one, and I went back for the demo.  It wasn't a demo...she didn't even take it out of the package.  I remember going home and trying it.  I remember not being able to understand the directions.  Then the quilt shop closed.  And I had this tool that I didn't know how to use. 

So, I got to thinking that maybe I would understand it now after all of this experience.  I actually found the thing.  LOL.  I looked online and found all of these lovely tutorials.  No drawing lines.  No pinning.  Life is good.  195 hsts done.  Now onto finishing the blocks. 

Here is a shot of my Angler 2.  You align it on your machine, tape it down, and then you keep your corners of your square that you're sewing on the center line that I am pointing to (normally where you would draw your line).  It also work if you are trying to get 2 hsts out of one block.  You just line it up on the other lines.  There are instructional videos for every way possible.  They last about 2 minutes each:  How to install it, Triangle Square video, Two triangle square videos, flying geese, and many more.  The videos are very easy to follow.

I have already mentioned some of the pluses.  It is great because you don't have to pin or draw lines.  I also like it for chain sewing like I was doing.  On the down side, you have to realign it every time you change your bobbin.  It doesn't take long, but it is just one more thing you have to do. 

Happy sewing!!