Grab a fresh rotary cutting blade; the time has come to get all our units trimmed! If you have already purchased the Planview Quilt Along pattern, you will receive an email today with the Piecing #3 instructions. Look for an email from newsletter@quiltingjetgirl.com with the subject Planview Quilt Along – Piecing #3. If you haven’t joined in yet, simply purchase the Planview Quilt Along and I will add you to the email list and get the information out to you soon!
Note: Check your spam directory if you don’t see the email!
Piecing #3 – Tip 1
To get ready to trim all my units, I took some time to change out my rotary blade. When I change out my blade, I also dust and remove accumulated lint so that it will be as smooth to use for as long as possible. If you haven’t changed out your blade in a while, it might be a good idea!
Piecing #3 – Tip 2a
When trimming QSTs and Hourglass blocks, I always start by rotating my block so that the 45-degree line of my ruler is on top of a pieced seam. Then I slide the ruler along that line until all four corners of the block size I’m looking to trim to touch other seam lines. In the case of QSTs, one of the points will float and not touch a seam (the lower right hand corner in the photo above).
Piecing #3 – Tip 2b
Remember that QST blocks are mirror images? The photo above shows what lining up my ruler for the first cut on a mirror image QST to the firs photo looks like. Again, I always start by rotating my block so that the 45-degree line of my ruler is on top of a pieced seam. Then I slide the ruler along that line until all four corners of the block size I’m looking to trim to touch other seam lines.
Piecing #3 – Tip 2c
When I rotate the block 180-degrees, the 45-degree line of the ruler still falls along the pieced seam and I line up the first two trimmed edges with the ruler markings for the size I am trimming to. Because I am making the baby size version during the quilt along, I trimmed my blocks to 4½” square.
Piecing #3 – Friendly Fabric Monster
My final tip for Piecing #3 is to have fun and get creative with your trimmed scraps! I love the #FriendlyFabricMonster hashtag on Instagram and used empty bobbin spools for my eyes this time. What other creative things have you done with your trimmings?
Piecing #3 – Trimmed Units
It is so satisfying to have a neat and tidy grouping of trimmed blocks!
Upcoming Planview Quilt Along Schedule
- Wednesday, March 9, 2022 – Piecing #4
- Wednesday, March 30, 2022 – Saturday, April 30,2022 – Final Linkup
I’m always shocked at the amount of dust in my rotary cutter when I change the blade; which I did a bout a week ago!
Your timing is great; I’ve got some cutting to do tomorrow and need to change my blade first. So thanks!
p.s. I ALWAYS wear my protective glove for blade changes because I’ve accidentally cut myself too many times. So call me Klutzy, but I’m safe!
I’m getting ready to trim my blocks. Although you don’t say it, should an equal amount of fabric be trimmed on all 4 sides?