Arbor Window -

Last week I got sidetracked -

Four new dies came out recently -

And since I have two die cutters - the regular one - and the heavy duty one -

When they come out with new dies - I usually check to see if I can make any new "block" (or something similar) with dies that I already have -

And/or if I can make them using my LEFT-EZE Rule™ -

When I read the page for the Chimney Sweep - 10" finished die-

I noticed that their version has the outside edges on the bias -

When they should be on the straight-of-grain -

And saw that I can make a similar version with what I already have - YAY!! -

So - for fun - I made the block that I found in EQ - called Arbor Window - ;))

I have a die that will cut "Square-on-point" patches -

So I printed out the EQ rotary cutting instructions for a 9" block -

Which calls for the size of the "Square-on-point" patch that matches my die -

And used it to cut out two sets of "center" patches -

Then - because I needed both HST and QST to fill in the corners and sides -

I checked my LEFT-EZE Rule™ SIZE CHART - for the strip width that I needed - since I can cut BOTH shapes with my ruler from the SAME SIZE pre-cut strips - which is really cool - TWO rulers in one - what a deal! - LOL - ;))

Cut the HST -
Like a square cut in half - once on the diagonal -

And the QST -
Like a square cut into quarters - twice on the diagonal -

The strips were folded over double -
So I cut 2 sets of 4 HST for the CORNERS - and 2 sets of 8 QST for the SIDES -

The smaller ones are HST - they go in the CORNERS because they have the straight of grain on the outside - straight - edges -

The larger ones are QST - they go on the SIDES because they have the straight of grain on the outside - diagonal - edge -

Put the smaller corner HST on the design board first -

Filled in with the QST for the sides -

Sewed the block in diagonal rows - like a quilt that is set "on-point" -

And added the HST corner triangles last -

Because I use strips - the dog-ear on one side is cut off -

And lines up perfectly with the edge of the QST on the side -

Pressed the HST corner seams to the corner -

I pressed all of the rows toward the outside edge -
Since I don't like to press seams "open" -
I can always re-press them if I want to set them block-to-block-
Or I can use sashing to avoid having to match the points on the side -

I still need to trim the remaining dog-ears -

Then I made the second one -

And now I have two - ;))

If I add another round of squares - it comes out to a 12" block -

That I have also seen called a Great Granny Squared block -

==

As a side note -

When I noticed that the new die put HST all around the SIDES - and QST in the CORNERS - which results in BIAS edges on ALL of the outside edges - I sent an email to AQ pointing out the error as nicely and as simply as I could -

I couldn't be the only one who noticed - but apparently no one on their end did -
since it was released that way -

I figured that they couldn't correct an error if no one told them that they made one in the first place - but when I tried to explain it to them - they kept insisting that the die was correct as designed. After some back and forth - they finally said that they would pass it along to the Product team for review - so we'll see what happens -

The block works and the pieces fit because the triangle SIZES are right -

But the SHAPES are arranged on the die incorrectly for the fabric grain -

Which leaves bias on the edges -

The smaller triangle on the die for the corners is a QST and should be a HST -
The straight of grain is on the diagonal -
And it should be on the sides -

The larger triangles on the die for the sides are HST and should be QST -
The straight of grain is on the sides -
And it should be on the diagonal -

I have seen patterns/rulers designed with the outside edges of a patch/block on the bias - and some people don't seem to care - and/or they think that it doesn't make a difference - but I think that it does -

I think it's important to have the edges on the straight-of-grain - whether it's a patch or a block - I like a stable block that doesn't have bias/stretchy edges - but then again - it's probably just me - LOL - ;))

Maybe one of you can explain it to them better than I could -

If you want to give it a try - please tell them that "Kitty sent you" - LOL -

I gave it my best shot -

Now I want to go chase some other Squirrels - LOL - ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -