I went immediately this am to get the part 3 - whew so much easier than last week. I have -0- flying geese done. I may do RIcky Timms method instead of the traditional! Part 3 will be fun! Did anyone else have problems with the flying geese?
Treat your body like you will live forever Treat your soul like you will die tomorrow
Posts: 3831 | Location: Central Florida | Registered: Feb 10, 2003
I didn't really have trouble with them except getting them perfectly at 3 1/2 inches...I was about an 1/8 inch longer..I decided not to worry about it....I did try every technique listed by others just to see if their was a better one. I don't like squaring up anymore so I ended up using Bonnies way..
I'm ahead in Step 3 'cause I cut 30 extra pairs of Wings when I cut the geese.I do not have all my Geese done either.....
May "In Michigan"
Posts: 9343 | Location: Michigan,up North,the west side of Perfect | Registered: Sep 14, 2004
I remember someone posting an easy way to do this on here but not when...I think it is Eleanor Burns way...but I looked in 3 of her books this morning befor I came to work and could not find it..This is no different than the geese really...
It might have been Stitch that posted those instructions...
I'm not sure why all the folks haveing trouble with the geese did not resort to using HST to make them instead of quitting...Bonnie said some were just pain quitting over the geese ...
May "In Michigan"
Posts: 9343 | Location: Michigan,up North,the west side of Perfect | Registered: Sep 14, 2004
OK ya'll I have a question that might seem silly but bear with me please.
I bought my Easy Angle Ruler and Companion Angle Ruler over 10 yrs ago and never used them much until I began following Bonnie Hunter.
Have they been revised? I looked at one today and my LQS and the black lines do not look as thick. This would make a big difference when cutting I would think. Some of my pieces are bigger and my geese are off a bit.
I do not want to buy new ones but would if this is the case. Hope you understand what I mean
Posts: 527 | Location: Texas zone 7B | Registered: Jan 20, 2008
The companion angle has changed over the years. I found that out last year while doing Orcha Bay. The numbering system down the outside edge is different. The OLD one has the finished triangle base size just above the DASHED line on the outside edge. On the new one, the numbers are larger and more bold--they appear at the edge just above the SOLID line. The numbers DOWN THE CENTER are the SAME on both versions (this is the strip size) and I believe it is the size that corresponds to Bonnies directions. I was confused last year so of course, I ran out and bought the new ruler version. The lines on both of my versions match up very nicely! The line thickness appears the same. Bonnie talks about having fabric under the full thickness of the line to have the pieces come out big enough. Both the old and the new version would work for her patterns--no need to get a new one like I did!
Both of my Easy Angles have the same numbering system and match up well. The new one is by simplicity and the old by quilthouse (both are Sharon Hultgren). The thing I found out last year is that you must cut exactly as shown on the directions (the squared off tip with 6.5 marking and the blackened point near the one inch mark are NOT interchangeable). I was interchanging the two thinking that you could and it resulted in slightly wrong sizes! Follow the diagrams!
The other thing that was happening was that the sewing machine that I was piecing on did not have good feeddog placement such that the tips of these pieces loved to veer--especially with small pieces. I finally figured out why I was having so many problems. I piece on a different machine now!
If you like paper piecing, the new triangulation version 3.0 has geese in 1/4 inch increments.
I also love the Eleanor Burns rulers for flying geese. They are limited to specific sizes AND the sky or wing pieces would be the same if you used her method. Bonnie shows 2 different fabrics for these pieces. The other bad thing about the geese techniques that use squares is that you need bigger pieces to start with and often times I don't have those bigger squares! The Mary Ellen Hopkin's method where you start with a rectange and two squares, wastes considerable fabric. I do love the E. Burns rules to trim the geese units even if I use an alternate method to piece them. You can oversize your pieces slightly and then use this ruler to trim. Lots of extra work though.
So far, I am just downloading the instructions this year. I have other projects to finish AND if I use similiar colors to Bonnie's, I would make the quilt smaller. The fabrics I have tentatively picked--I really need to see how they are placed to know if I want to use them for this project. I watch every week though and get very excited with each step presented. I am really challenging myself NOT to plunge in right now...it is hard! I also want to start another one in the String Fling book.
Posts: 1000 | Location: Wisconsin | Registered: Aug 17, 2006
I find the best way to do each step is to make a sample piece and measuring. If changes need to be made or the needle placement needs adjusting, I can do it then. Otherwise, I'm finished with step three!
Imaquilter....thank you so much for the response! My DH looked at my rulers and could not find anything wrong. But he did mention...was I using the small Easy Angle and the large Easy Angle interchangeably and I was was. He suggested sticking with one and after making several more last night it all clicked together.
Here is a picture of some of my 4-patches, flying geese and the new block, step 3.
My 4-patches are finished, I have about 10 more flying geese and will finish step 3 by tonight.
For my practice samples of step 3 I used the method provided by Stitching Circle blog and that was a quick way. Today I will try making them Bonnie's way. I love how I am learning to better my cutting and sewing skills with each new Mystery step.
I think all of the forum members are great here, helpful, insightful and oh yeah funny at the same time.
Thanks ya'll enjoy the holiday season!
Posts: 527 | Location: Texas zone 7B | Registered: Jan 20, 2008
I got a good start on step 3 this afternoon, about half done. Hopefully, I finish tonight during quiltcam (if Bonnie has quiltcam). My red squares and dark blue triangles are looking good together. Right now, DH and I are getting ready to go to a 50th wedding anniversary celebration for some friends.
During quiltcam last night, I got some more done but was too tired to finish. After my nap this afternoon, I headed for the sewing room and here's a sample of my 64 units for step 3.
Beautiful colors pville I just love those together.....my geese are done and I am going to start cutting now for Step 3.I'm going to do a couple of samples 1st to see which method is most accurate and fastest...
Do suppose it was a Typo when Bonnie said if you get Step 3 done.... "if you finish this step and need something else to do ---cut TWO green 3” squares – and slice those on the diagonal once to yield 4 triangles and set them aside for a later date!"??????????????????? Micro mini pieces to me.....
May "In Michigan"
Posts: 9343 | Location: Michigan,up North,the west side of Perfect | Registered: Sep 14, 2004
It would be nice to know what colors we would need to have ready for step four--I would like to get the fabrics ironed in advance so I will be ready for cutting.
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