There is another way to measure the diagonal on a square.

Some of you may already be familiar with it.

Simply align the ruler from top to bottom point on one block before it's sewn and deduct 1/2".

There are 9 different fabric squares cut in 4ths to create set-in triangles.  Notice I balanced the colors by placing them on opposite ends of each row.

It helps to have a design wall when doing this, as rows with 17 blocks need to alternate a bit.

I did get one top laid out and and the 2nd assembled half way.  Ahhh progress!

Peter asks that everyone drive carefully in that snow storm out west.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Dreary weather is perfect for staying inside to sew.

So when I discovered I was off today, Dolly reminded me that I hadn't as yet given you the layout requirements for the latest QOV.  Silly me.  Sew sorry.

Here is the basic layout, albeit a bit cockeyed.  You will need l79 rail fence blocks.

That means a total of 18 units done from chains each 47" long.  (A UNIT is a Dark, Light, Dark strip sewn together).

In other words, 47" allows 10 blocks per UNIT.  10 x 18 = 180 rail fence blocks.

Starting in the upper left hand corner, laying rows diagonally:

Row 1 = 1 block (missing from picture)
Row 2 = 3 blocks
Row 3 = 5 blocks
Row 4 = 7 blocks
Row 5 = 9 blocks
Row 6 = 11 blocks
Row 7 = 13 blocks
Row 8 = 15 blocks
Row 9 = 17 blocks
Row 10 = 17 blocks
Row 11 = 17 blocks
Row 12 = 15 blocks
Row 13 = 13 blocks
Row 14 = 11 blocks and continue to decrease until your down to block 1.

Now for the side triangles.  Or set-in triangles if you prefer.  Here I've pulled out a back vest panel piece probably from the 1990s.  It's washed, starched, pressed, and the top section was torn to create true grain.

The basic math formula for determining set in triangles is really simple.

Determine the diagonal measurement on the finished square and add 2-1/2".

The rail fence block is 4-1/2", but when SEWN/FINISHED, will be 4" (minus seams).

Are you with me so far?  (Carol, please stop texting during class. Judy, you're awake aren't you? )

Calculate 4" x 1.4142 and you get 5.65.  Round up to 5.75.  That's your diagonal measurement.

Add 2-1/2" + 5.75", and you get, 8.25".

The size square for set-in triangles is 8.25".

I was able to cut 3 squares from the vest panel.

I need a total of 36 set-in triangles for my QOV top.  Therefore, I'll need 9 squares  (9 x 4 = 36).  I'm using a mix of black, gray and green.  Fabric that will blend well with the top.  I could use one color, but I chose to be scrappy.

 Cut the 8.25" square in half on the diagonal.

 Then half again.  Wallah, 12 set in triangles from 3 squares.

Why are they cut on the diagonal you ask?  So the straight of grain stays on the outside.  (Bias edges are on the inside seam).

 And up on the corner square you'll need one set-in triangle on each side.

I'll teach you how to measure and cut the last outer corner triangle later this week.  The one that goes on the top left and bottom right.

Shhhhh, don't wake Dolly, math bores her to tears.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Did someone say pie?

 I was fortunate to be invited to join dear friends for Thanksgiving dinner.  These folks are international travelers and cooks.  Here we have Chef Paul carving the turkey.

 My contribution was apple pie, which is always a hit largely due to the crust.  The recipe can be found here.

In between cooking and cleaning, some sewing occurred.  There are now enough rail fence units for 2 quilt tops.  Yahoooo-eee.

Today's cute pet picture features Samson, enjoying his holiday treat.

I surely hope you're finding some time to sew this holiday weekend!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Wooooo - wheee

There's nothin' that will put a hop in your get-along like 24 mph winds and 31 degrees.

Yes, that's SNOW you see out there.  Just enough to be thankful for a warm fire, plenty of milk for hot chocolate and enough pet food to last until it melts.  Which will be soon I'm hoping.

Stay safe everyone and have a Blessed Thanksgiving.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Are you ready for the next QOV challenge?

Yes, I realize it's Thanksgiving week and everyone is rushing around buying out the grocery stores and contacting Aunt Midge for her famous sweet potato pie recipe.  So if you are in charge of cooking the turkey, you can have a hall pass for this week only.

and if your job is walking the poor, nobody-loves-me pup, you get a hall pass too.

But everyone else, I'm counting on you to do a bit of sewing for our soldiers this holiday season. After all, if it weren't for our boys in blue (and khaki) we would not have a home front to come home to now would we?

So get out some light 2" strips and trim the edges even.  Sew into a long chain using a fat 1/4" seem.  The longer the strips the better.  But if you only have short ones, that's okay.

Get out some dark 2" strips.  Try to use several pieces in one color family, say browns, blacks, or greens.  Then cut 47" lengths off of each chain.

Sew a light chain to a dark chain, press.

With the light chain in the middle, sew another dark chain to make a unit of 3.  (No picture available, but I'm sure you can envision it.)

Press unit well and cut into 4-1/2" length and trim to 4-1/2" square.

Wa-lahhh, a speedy rail fence block.

You can make it red, white and blue!  You could even use 2-1/2" strips, but you'll need to adjust the size of your block.

Since I've been busy buying out the grocery store and calling Aunt Midge for her recipe, I've only gotten this far.  But trust me, it's a speedy project.

My friends keep warning me about the "coming storm" and the chance of "SNOW".

This was my view on my way up to work this morning, a.k.a the balcony, and yes indeed, you could see ol' mother nature rolling in.  With a morning temp of 26 degrees, I'm glad to say we're ready for anything.  Except power outage.

Dang, I forgot the batteries!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . . .