Triangle in a Square block

When I agreed to review the Triangle in a Square Rulers from Quilt in a Day, I did not know how perfectly it would fit into my challenge of using nickel fabric squares.  I am thrilled to find this new tool!  The product includes 2 acrylic templates, complete cutting instructions and a FREE pattern to get you started.   
  

                                                                                                

One template is used to cut the large triangle of the block and the second template is used to square up your finished block.  This makes for a very precise block.  Not only that, you can make two different size blocks with the same templates! The blocks finish at 3" and 4".  My excitement comes from the fact that 5" squares or strips can be used for both sizes of blocks.  The 3" block can be made from two 5" squares and the 4" block uses 5" strips as well as 6" strips.  The 4" block also matches up perfectly in size to the size of the half square triangle blocks and four patch blocks that I make from using two 5" squares and use alot of in my quilts. 

I decided to try both sizes of blocks to make some trivets.  My daughter has been asking for some trivets for her new wood dining table so she can safely set warm dishes on it. The star trivet uses the 3" block and is one star from the FREE pattern that comes with the rulers.  It is 9" finished. 

For the second trivet, I used four of the larger blocks and rotated each block a quarter turn from the one before it.  It finishes at 8".

I have a bunch of ideas on how to incorporate this triangle in a square block into my quiltmaking and will surely post my results.
Complete instructions are given for each size block or you can even watch Eleanor Burns demonstrate the rulers herself by watching this video.

Nickel Argyle and Roll of Nickels quilts finished

One of the goals of my quilt challenge was to make quilts for my husband's family. He has five children, their spouses, 14 grandchildren and one sister. That's twenty five quilts!  The youngest eight grandchildren all got I Spy quilts with their names on them which I've posted pictures of already.  I had hoped the quilts could be finished for Christmas. The tops were done but a few still had to be quilted.

Nickel Argyle and Roll of Nickels are now done!

Nickel Argyle quilt 

Roll of Nickels quilt

My Nickel Argyle quilt is a four patch quilt that I previously posted here and my Roll of Nickels quilt is  a disappearing nine patch quilt that I posted here.

I used a coordinating plaid fabric for the back and binding of both my Nickel Argyle quilt and Roll of Nickels quilt.  Both were from my stash! Yippee!!

Nickel Argyle quilt
backing and binding

Roll of Nickels quilt
backing and binding

Linda of L&R Designs quilted Nickel Argyle with black thread in straight lines like the traditional argyle pattern. Just the effect I wanted.

 

 

She used her square loop meander quilt design on Roll of Nickels. I think the quilting totally makes this quilt. It's fast becoming one of my favorite quilting designs!! We used it before on Just Add Scraps #1 which is also a disappearing nine patch quilt.

I now have Nickel Crosses and Chevrony quilted and in the process of being bound.  I'll show you soon.

I Spy quilts

I have been playing catch up the last few weeks during the holidays.  Our house is very busy from Thanksgiving to New Year's like most people's but we also have a lot of birthdays thrown in- mine, 2 granddaughters, two sons, 2 son-in-laws, 3 grandsons ending with my husband's yesterday.  As you can imagine, not a very good time to start a new project so I worked on finishing some.
Here are pictures of four I Spy quilts I finished-   

Macy's I Spy quilt

My granddaughter Macy turned four the day after my birthday and her sister Lainey turned three the day before Thanksgiving. I gave them these I Spy quilts. All of the fabric squares are the same in each quilt and match their brother Mack's quilt that I had made in September for his fifth birthday.  I used the same squares so they could play a matching game with them.  I chose backings that reflect what they like right now.  Macy got My Little Pony and Lainey got Hello Kitty for their backings.

Lainey's I Spy quilt

                                                                               




Quinton and Cooper are brothers and are my husband's grandsons.  Quinn's birthday was the day before Thanksgiving also. They have not seen their quilts yet.  I need to finish their mom's quilt before I ship them off to Pennsylvania.

Quinton's I Spy quilt

       



Quinn likes super heroes so he got a Batman backing.

Cooper's I Spy quilt

 Cooper has a dragon theme bedroom and shares a room with his brother Felix who already has his I Spy quilt.  I used the same starry sky fabric for their backings.

I have two more I Spy quilts to go.  One for Max and one for Xavier.  They are brothers so I hope to have them done by Max's birthday in February.

And the winners are ...

#7

#5

#4

Thanks to everyone who voted for my next project!  Idea #7 was the winner.  Idea #4 came in second and #5 was third.  I plan to start on #7 after the first of the year.  I will post my progress on this blog so stay tuned.

Thanks also for participating in the Blog Hop Party and Give-away. The winners of the 5 patterns I gave away have been chosen and an e-mail has been sent to each winner so check your e-mail!

Today's the Day!

Today is the day I turn 55 and end my Double Nickel Quilt Challenge.  What a hectic year it has been!  Wondering where I ended up? I made 48 quilts, 13 of which still need to be quilted. Throughout the posts of this blog, you will find more than 55 ways to use 5" squares of fabric also known as nickel squares or charm squares.  I hope you can find inspiration here to make your own nickel quilt.

My Flower Garden is the last quilt of my challenge. It's not finished but here it is on my design wall.

I finally decided that I like this layout the best.  Where the white of the design wall is showing through is where I will use a background fabric that I don't have yet.  I hope to find it today as I am going to lunch with my quilting friends and then off to visit two new quilt shops in our area.

Here are some additional designs for using nickel squares that I am playing around with-

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

Starting Saturday, December 10th through Dec. 17th, join in on the Blog Hop Party hosted by Quilting Gallery in celebration of their 4th anniversary. There will be give-aways and lots of sites to visit.  Tell all your friends too.

I'll be giving away 5 FREE patterns (the ones on my website) To be entered in the drawing, leave a comment on this post giving me the number of the design above that you think I should work on next.  Make sure I have an email address for you so I can send you a pattern if you are chosen.  All winners will be chosen at random.