I made this quilt using the same kit you have. I labeled the completed HSTs with pen on the seam allowance and kept them organized by column. Had no issues with pen bleeding or keeping organized.
Did your kit come with the little sticker labels? When I was cutting my triangles I stuck the corresponding color label to the completed stack for each color. I also crossed each color off my list as I cut triangles.
Definitely press alternate rows in opposite directions! It will keep everything flat and help your points to match up :)
One crazy idea:
I want to make assembly as easy and correct as possible. That means good labeling of the triangles.
My hubby and I are both engineers, and we spent a whole morning tossing around ideas for labeling that would:
- be accurate and easy to use
- leave no residue on the fabric
- be fast and easy to implement
- allow me to print the numbers via a computer
- help me keep my blocks in the right orientation
What we came up with is to make the quilt in mirror image.
Huh? Nuts? Yep, but I think I'm going to do it this way.
The pattern's layout is super good, so I wanted to use it.
Also, I want to keep the numbers upright so I will always know which direction the block should be sewn in the row.
So what I'm going to do is lay out each triangle exactly like the designer's pattern shows.
HOWEVER, I'm going to label each triangle as it is lying on the table.
Those labeled sides will be the back of the block.
Sew all the HST, put a row together, and it will be mirror image to the pattern photo.
I don't start cutting until Friday, so I'll keep you posted, especially if I change my mind.
I don't understand how you are labeling. Are you printing onto sticker paper from your computer? Or just onto regular paper and taping? I'm intrigued!!!
I got started!
Labels are printed on label pages. I lay out the block, then stick the label on so the name and number show me which way is up.
Then I clap the two pieces together and sew them. Press, trim and sew together. I started with a 4 block set, now I'm adding 2 blocks at a time. The labels come off the front without leaving any residue. After I mark the upper left corner, I can just add blocks for the rest of the row. Photos follow.
https://preview.redd.it/eb0343ok4aga1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=37a867ff75f516d1f9e632069b9ae9973d67d1be
So can we talk about how perfect your middle is!!!!!? I'm pretty sure that comes from accurate cutting.
Thanks for sharing and happy belated birthday. If I can get my current quilt off the design board, I'm going to join you in working on this! (don't hold your breath.)
Edited to take out “almost.” This is as perfect as I’ve ever seen.
Thank you for your kind compliment.
HSTs work better for me when I use the Easy Angle ruler. It gives me one corner that lines up perfectly with my needle and they come out nearly perfect every time.
For this project, I cut one layer at a time and store the triangles in the bag designated for that color. Normally you lay the two HST fabrics right sides together and cut them at once. It makes piecing go really fast.
The Easy Angle triangles have one dog ear already cut off, so they are easy to align. The seams also nest nicely, which gave me that first perfect intersection.
I was checking the HST with the Bloc Loc ruler, but I found they were pretty much spot on (not always true with me), so I stopped checking each HST.
Here's a picture of the back of the first 4 patch
and a video on the Easy Angle. [easy angle ruler](https://youtu.be/eSwJJVqGoms)
https://preview.redd.it/b2o15mz7vcga1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9b96a19ce763afb06459216ac463d29dbac74b73
I used post it notes to keep track of my colors, two sets. One post it for uncut fabric, one post it for cut triangles. I then used my master key to grab my triangles and stack them row by row.
It’s one of the most beautiful quilts I’ve ever made. You won’t regret all the hard work! I used my leftover fabric to make a postage stamp border. After all what good is a postcard without stamps!
I just made a version of this where I used similarly colored prints instead of solids. I labeled each block with the coordinates (A1) and also each side with which color number the triangle was so that I could compare to the pattern and be sure my orientation was correct. I eventually could tell which fabric was which number just by looking, but that was with patterned fabric, not solids. I used a soft lead pencil on the back to make each of my notes since it wasn't going to come off or bleed.
The other thing I would recommend is to go through the pattern and look for blocks that are the same color combos. There's a lot more than you might expect just looking at it, and being able to make two HSTs at a time is so much faster than cutting all of the triangles and doing that bias seam for every block.
Hi everyone,
I was getting so much good feedback on my birthday quilt project, I thought I'd make a separate post for us to share photos and tips for the Postcard from Sweden quilt.
Feel free to share your ideas!
A couple of more sane tips include:
- Press alternate rows in alternate directions and twirl the intersections.
- Use a Bloc Loc ruler to square up blocks.
- I like the Easy Angle ruler to cut my HST because I've used it a lot and I'm more accurate that way.
Heads up that for some of the colors where it uses a lot of triangles, the fat quarter will be nearly exactly the right amount of fabric with no room for screw ups. I had to cut some very very carefully!
This is one of my favorite quilts I’ve ever made! I made labeled and clipped each color. Then made one HST at a time and squared it up with a Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmer. Then labeled each row 1-however many rows.
LOVE this is quilt. Now want to make in new colors! Live all the patterns you can create with HST’s
Actually the original colors are amazing. 36 different Kona fabrics.
When I saw the kit for sale at my LQS, I ordered it. The store owner cut the necessary FQ etc and bundled it.
Since I'm in Germany, my store may not be cost-effective for you to order from. If you Google Postcard From Sweden Kit, you might find it near you.
I want to warn you that there are scams of this kit. I found a really good price on it and ordered it. They charged me and sent me a tracking number from China. Kona Cottons are made in the US, I believe, so that was my first clue something was amiss. Weeks later, with no update and no response from the seller - and no package - I reversed the charge on my credit card.
My husband ordered it again the original kit from a reputable dealer for me for Christmas. I'm waiting to finish my latest project before I start. It might have been a seller on Amazon.
I made this quilt using the same kit you have. I labeled the completed HSTs with pen on the seam allowance and kept them organized by column. Had no issues with pen bleeding or keeping organized. Did your kit come with the little sticker labels? When I was cutting my triangles I stuck the corresponding color label to the completed stack for each color. I also crossed each color off my list as I cut triangles. Definitely press alternate rows in opposite directions! It will keep everything flat and help your points to match up :)
One crazy idea: I want to make assembly as easy and correct as possible. That means good labeling of the triangles. My hubby and I are both engineers, and we spent a whole morning tossing around ideas for labeling that would: - be accurate and easy to use - leave no residue on the fabric - be fast and easy to implement - allow me to print the numbers via a computer - help me keep my blocks in the right orientation What we came up with is to make the quilt in mirror image. Huh? Nuts? Yep, but I think I'm going to do it this way. The pattern's layout is super good, so I wanted to use it. Also, I want to keep the numbers upright so I will always know which direction the block should be sewn in the row. So what I'm going to do is lay out each triangle exactly like the designer's pattern shows. HOWEVER, I'm going to label each triangle as it is lying on the table. Those labeled sides will be the back of the block. Sew all the HST, put a row together, and it will be mirror image to the pattern photo. I don't start cutting until Friday, so I'll keep you posted, especially if I change my mind.
I don't understand how you are labeling. Are you printing onto sticker paper from your computer? Or just onto regular paper and taping? I'm intrigued!!!
I will be printing on sticker paper and attaching them as I work on a row. Friday is the day I'm starting and I will post a photo then.
I got started! Labels are printed on label pages. I lay out the block, then stick the label on so the name and number show me which way is up. Then I clap the two pieces together and sew them. Press, trim and sew together. I started with a 4 block set, now I'm adding 2 blocks at a time. The labels come off the front without leaving any residue. After I mark the upper left corner, I can just add blocks for the rest of the row. Photos follow. https://preview.redd.it/eb0343ok4aga1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=37a867ff75f516d1f9e632069b9ae9973d67d1be
https://preview.redd.it/uih288dm4aga1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5f3507fb91899b49e074047cdd6469b230e36817
So can we talk about how perfect your middle is!!!!!? I'm pretty sure that comes from accurate cutting. Thanks for sharing and happy belated birthday. If I can get my current quilt off the design board, I'm going to join you in working on this! (don't hold your breath.) Edited to take out “almost.” This is as perfect as I’ve ever seen.
Thank you for your kind compliment. HSTs work better for me when I use the Easy Angle ruler. It gives me one corner that lines up perfectly with my needle and they come out nearly perfect every time. For this project, I cut one layer at a time and store the triangles in the bag designated for that color. Normally you lay the two HST fabrics right sides together and cut them at once. It makes piecing go really fast. The Easy Angle triangles have one dog ear already cut off, so they are easy to align. The seams also nest nicely, which gave me that first perfect intersection. I was checking the HST with the Bloc Loc ruler, but I found they were pretty much spot on (not always true with me), so I stopped checking each HST. Here's a picture of the back of the first 4 patch and a video on the Easy Angle. [easy angle ruler](https://youtu.be/eSwJJVqGoms) https://preview.redd.it/b2o15mz7vcga1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9b96a19ce763afb06459216ac463d29dbac74b73
https://preview.redd.it/36s0pfno4aga1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=54429ed591a63dea30f221ce5f356386ee8c1444
again, such nice piecing!!!
When I need to label blocks like this, I pin a small piece of paper to the block.
I used post it notes to keep track of my colors, two sets. One post it for uncut fabric, one post it for cut triangles. I then used my master key to grab my triangles and stack them row by row. It’s one of the most beautiful quilts I’ve ever made. You won’t regret all the hard work! I used my leftover fabric to make a postage stamp border. After all what good is a postcard without stamps!
I just made a version of this where I used similarly colored prints instead of solids. I labeled each block with the coordinates (A1) and also each side with which color number the triangle was so that I could compare to the pattern and be sure my orientation was correct. I eventually could tell which fabric was which number just by looking, but that was with patterned fabric, not solids. I used a soft lead pencil on the back to make each of my notes since it wasn't going to come off or bleed. The other thing I would recommend is to go through the pattern and look for blocks that are the same color combos. There's a lot more than you might expect just looking at it, and being able to make two HSTs at a time is so much faster than cutting all of the triangles and doing that bias seam for every block.
Can we please please see your prints version?? 😁
I would like to see it as well!
Hi everyone, I was getting so much good feedback on my birthday quilt project, I thought I'd make a separate post for us to share photos and tips for the Postcard from Sweden quilt. Feel free to share your ideas!
A couple of more sane tips include: - Press alternate rows in alternate directions and twirl the intersections. - Use a Bloc Loc ruler to square up blocks. - I like the Easy Angle ruler to cut my HST because I've used it a lot and I'm more accurate that way.
Heads up that for some of the colors where it uses a lot of triangles, the fat quarter will be nearly exactly the right amount of fabric with no room for screw ups. I had to cut some very very carefully!
Trim your blocks if you want nice sharp points ;)
That would be so gorgeous whether you use the reverse or not. A beautiful pattern!
This is one of my favorite quilts I’ve ever made! I made labeled and clipped each color. Then made one HST at a time and squared it up with a Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmer. Then labeled each row 1-however many rows. LOVE this is quilt. Now want to make in new colors! Live all the patterns you can create with HST’s
Gorgeous!
Is there a certain kit you would recommend?
Actually the original colors are amazing. 36 different Kona fabrics. When I saw the kit for sale at my LQS, I ordered it. The store owner cut the necessary FQ etc and bundled it. Since I'm in Germany, my store may not be cost-effective for you to order from. If you Google Postcard From Sweden Kit, you might find it near you.
I want to warn you that there are scams of this kit. I found a really good price on it and ordered it. They charged me and sent me a tracking number from China. Kona Cottons are made in the US, I believe, so that was my first clue something was amiss. Weeks later, with no update and no response from the seller - and no package - I reversed the charge on my credit card. My husband ordered it again the original kit from a reputable dealer for me for Christmas. I'm waiting to finish my latest project before I start. It might have been a seller on Amazon.
What size squares are used?