Cut your blocks faster than ever with my Quick Block Calculator

Do you love quilt block shortcuts but find the math frustrating at times? Me too! Now, you can have all your parent square calculations done instantly with my FREE Shortcut Calculators. Half Square Triangles, Hour Glass, Flying Geese, and more can now be made even faster and way easier with my Quick Block Calculators.

NOTES
•  All calculations have been tested for accuracy.
•  All measurements are in inches.
•  All instructions assume a basic knowledge of rotary cutting.
•  For your reference, the formula for each block is under the block name on the calculator.

DEFINITIONS

Finished Block
•  Block dimensions after it has been sewn into a quilt.

Unfinished Block
•  Block dimensions before it has been sewn into a quilt i.e. finished block dimensions plus seam allowance.

Parent Squares
•  The squares you make using the formula. These squares are used to build your block.

Square Up
•  Trimming a block to its correct size.

TIPS FOR MAKING PERFECT BLOCKS

•  Round up uneven results to the nearest even fraction or round number.
I use this handy decimal to a fraction conversion table.
•  Double-check your results before cutting your parent squares.
•  Make a test-run block before cutting your good fabric.
•  Cut the parent squares accurately.
•  Use a scant ¼ inch seam allowance to make the block slightly larger and easier to square up.

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Scroll down to find the block you want to make.
2. Depending on the formula, enter finished or unfinished block size you need.
3. Find the parent square size(s) in the orange box. If required, round up the result.
4. Cut the number of parent squares required.
5. Follow the assembly diagrams provided to make the block.
6. Square up block if necessary.

Moroccan Mini Quilt: New Pattern Launch!

I used to do mosaic art years ago and still appreciate this beautiful art form. Moroccan mosaic tilework is my favourite type of mosaic art because it reminds me of elaborate quilts. I've always wanted to replicate this art style in fabric and this year I finally did. The result is my newest pattern, Moroccan Tile Mini Quilt. This pattern may look a bit complicated but it is all straight cuts and no templates are required!

MOROCCAN TILE MINI QUILT PATTERN

Buy now at my PATTERN STORE

My Precious Bundle Baby Quilt Pattern is now Charm Pack friendly!

One of the first quilt patterns I ever designed was the Precious Bundle baby quilt. That was five years ago. But, for whatever reason, I didn't design it for precuts. I'll chalk that up to inexperience.

For 2020, I redesigned this gorgeous baby quilt for charm packs. I'm hoping this will make it easier for even the most novice quilter. The only fabrics you will now need to make the Precious Bundle quilt top is one print charm pack, one solid white charm pack, and 1¼ yard white. How simple is that?!

Make Your Own Best Press Citrus Spray Starch

I love Mary Ellen's Best Press Spray Starch. It helps my blocks press crisp and there's no starchy residue. The only downside is that it's way too expensive, especially here in Canada. Also, I don't like the smell of most of their scents; the lavender-scented spray smells like cheap men's cologne. I thought of using the scent-free Best Press, but it costs more than the scented. So, I decided to try making the homemade version of Best Press and I was pleased with the results.

I wanted my spray to have a nice scent but most of the recipes I found called for lavender essential oil and I didn't care for it. So, I tried the citrus essential oils (i.e. lemon, lemongrass, bergamot, orange, etc.) and loved the fresh citrusy scent. I use bergamot exclusively now. Bergamot is a fresh, uplifting Italian orange oil used for cosmetics and perfumes. Below is the recipe for the DIY Citrus Best Press that works just as well as the real deal.

DIY CITRUS BEST PRESS

• 3 cups distilled water (it must be distilled because some tap waters can stain your fabric).
• 1/2 cup vodka (*vodka is made from fermented potatoes which are a natural starch).
• 1/4 tsp. citrus essential oil (I use bergamot but any citrus will work).

Combine the essential oil and vodka then add all ingredients to a 1 L/1 qt. container with a lid. Replace the lid of the container and shake the solution well. Pour into a spray bottle. Shake well before each use.

*UPDATE: The truth about vodka. After more research, I found that most vodkas are NOT made from potatoes. Most are made from cereal grains. I use unflavoured Smirnoff  which is made from corn. Conclusion, just use the cheapest vodka you can find.

FREE PRINTABLES:  Pretty labels for your 1 Litre/1 quart spray starch bottle plus a handy recipe card (Download HERE)

Front Label

Back Label

Recipe Card

How to Square Up Hourglass & Pinwheel Blocks: No special ruler required!

This post is a supplementary tutorial for the Quick Block Calculator.

When using the shortcut methods to make Hourglass and Pinwheel blocks, you often have to "square up" the block to the correct size you need. If these blocks are not squared up properly, you will end up with very wonky looking squares that will only be good for the scrap pile.

In this post, I'll show you a simple method for squaring up Hourglass and Pinwheel blocks that doesn't require a special ruler.

MATERIALS

•  Square quilt ruler at least 8" x 8".

•  Rotary cutter

•  Masking tape or transparent quilt ruler tape.

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Divide the desired block size in half, e.g. 4½"÷ 2 = 2¼"

2.  Find this number on the ruler.

3.  Place a piece of tape horizontally and vertically on the ruler to mark the center of the block.
4.  Line up intersecting point of the tape with the center of the block.
5.  Line up the 45º angle with angle of the block.

6.  With a rotary cutter, cut off the exposed ends of the block.

7.  Turn the ruler and block 180º.

8.  Once again, line up the halfway point with the center of the block.

9.  With a rotary cutter, cut off the exposed ends of the block.

Follow these same steps with the Pinwheel and Half Square Triangle.

I'm published! Quilted Wall Hangings: 11 unique projects for quilt lovers

I've been published! 

Check out my modern quilt wall hanging, Coral Gem, published in the new Leisure Arts book Quilted Wall Hangings - 11 Unique Projects for Quilt Lovers. Get a copy today!

"Coral Gem" Wall Quilt
by Monica Curry

BUY NOW!

How to make bag straps with quilt batting

Apple Cider Market Tote aka Winslow Market Tote

I first saw this tote pattern in the 2018 issue of Make It! Patchwork. It was designed by Kathy Mack and was showcased on the Quilting Arts TV Episode #601. It was originally featured as the Winslow Market Tote and has since been renamed the Apple Cider Market Tote.

The pattern for this awesome tote can be purchased HERE.

I haven't made many bags, but I fell in love with this one as soon as I saw it. I wasn't sure, however, what fat quarters to use for it. When I finally dug through my stash, I found the perfect fabric for this tote ─ Into the Garden by Amanda Herring for Riley Blake. I bought this fat quarter bundle several years ago and loved it so much I didn't want to cut it!

I also wanted to make pretty matching straps for this bag, but I wasn't sure how to make bag straps. I heard you could use quilt batting for straps and thought that this would be a great way to use up my batting scraps. After a YouTube search, I found a great tutorial for making bag straps with batting by sewing and crafting vlogger Alanda Craft. She uses fusible batting but says non-fusible works just as well. I think my straps turned out great.

Apple Cider Market Tote made by Monica Curry | Pattern by Kathy Mack

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cut [2] fabric strips 5" x length of the strap and [2] quilt batting strips 2½" x length of the strap.

Image: Alanda Craft Video Quick and Easy Tote Bag Handle Tutorial

2. Fold the fabric strip in half lengthwise and press.

Image: Alanda Craft Video Quick and Easy Tote Bag Handle Tutorial

3. Make a lengthwise fold to the center of the strip on both sides and press.

Image: Alanda Craft Video Quick and Easy Tote Bag Handle Tutorial

4. Place batting in the center of the strip.

Image: Alanda Craft Video Quick and Easy Tote Bag Handle Tutorial

5. Fold each side of the fabric over onto the batting and press.

Image: Alanda Craft Video Quick and Easy Tote Bag Handle Tutorial

6. Fold the fabric and batting in half lengthwise and press.

Image: Alanda Craft Video Quick and Easy Tote Bag Handle Tutorial

7. To finish off your strap, stitch along both edges using a 1/8" or 1/4" allowance (Version 1). I find the strap is a little stronger if you add three more rows of stitching equally down the center. (Version 2).

Image: Alanda Craft Video Quick and Easy Tote Bag Handle Tutorial

Round Table Placemat NEW PATTERN!

Round Table Placemat Patterns 

Buy now at my PATTERN STORE

If you have a round table for your home, why not make a few of these elegant-looking "round" placemats. They fit beautifully on a 42 inch and up dining table. I think they look much nicer on a round table than the traditional rectangle placemats. The pattern includes instructions for all three placemats shown below!

The placemat patterns come in three styles: a reversible, seven-wedge, and nine-wedge placemat. All the templates are full page printable. These placemats are also very simple to make.