Arguably, the part that takes the longest is cutting your fabric. It hadn't occurred to me when I was cutting my fabric that I was going to time each step, so that part...sadly is not a part of my experiment!
I started with a stack of 100 8" squares that I paired up making 50 sets of soon to be half square triangles. When I cut my squares I always grab my Hera Marker and ruler and draw my diagonal line from corner to corner. It seems to save time when it's time to pair up the squares.
Chain stitching 1/4" from the diagonal line, I began the first phase of completing my HST's.
The total time: 13 1/2 minutes
Cutting the chain apart: 2 minutes
Much as the first phase...the second line took...
Second line: 13.17 seconds and Cutting the chain apart: 2 minutes
Rotary cutting the blocks in between the stitching is one of the parts I like the best! You get to see your original stack of blocks miraculously multiply!
Cutting on the diagonal: 8 1/2 minutes
You know what's next! Pressing. I press my seams to one side when I'm making a big batch. The reason is, I use my Bloc-Loc ruler to square up the HST's. The groove in the ruler locks on the seam making trimming so much faster and accurate.
Total pressing time: 18 1/2 minutes
The one part I never really enjoyed when making HST's was squaring up the blocks! Ugh! Hate is a strong word, but I really hate that part! That was until I got my set of Bloc-Loc rulers. Honestly. One of the best tools I ever bought. The rulers come in all kinds of different sizes, they even have half rectangle and flying geese rulers. I'm considering adding one or two of those to my collection. And for the record...I'm not getting paid to say this, I wish...but I'm not!
I can honestly say I have no idea how long it would take to trim these the 'old fashioned' way. Far too long especially if you have a lot of them.
When I use the Bloc-Loc to trim, I always use the back of my cutting mat. I don't need the markings from the mat, and it saves the front from repeated use with the rotary cutter.
The first two sides took: 23 minutes 50 seconds
The second two sides took: 23 1/2 minutes
Obviously trimming takes the bulk of the time other than cutting the fabric. And lets not forget about assembling the quilt top, and pinning, and quilting and binding...YIKES!
When I use the Bloc-Loc to trim, I always use the back of my cutting mat. I don't need the markings from the mat, and it saves the front from repeated use with the rotary cutter.
The first two sides took: 23 minutes 50 seconds
The second two sides took: 23 1/2 minutes
Obviously trimming takes the bulk of the time other than cutting the fabric. And lets not forget about assembling the quilt top, and pinning, and quilting and binding...YIKES!
I ended up cutting my HST's to 7 1/4" square. I'm pretty sure I could have squeezed another 1/4" out, but sometimes you just gotta make progress. And how about that pile of shavings?!
In the end I was left with a heaping bowl full of what should be garbage. Should be. Really it should be.
But me being such a dorky freak...I did something with them...are you curious? Something other than take crazy 'quilt porn' photos! There should be a law! I'll share a little bit later!
For now, the total time for 100 - 7 1/4" (total) trimmed and ready HST's took:
1 and 3/4 hours
I've always felt like some of the steps take far too long, like I'm drowning in a process and can't get to the end of it. It wasn't until I timed each step that I realized 10 minutes, 12 minutes or 30 minutes on it's own, isn't that bad!! It just seems like it!
Of course, you understand that this isn't a scientific experiment, totally uncontrolled except for my phones stop watch! It was a fun test and why not? I'm sitting there chain piecing and trimming, might as well have some fun!
This is one of the quilts made from my labor of love! I'm still quilting it, but you can see I didn't just time myself for nothing!
Do you ever wonder how long a step in a process takes you? Do you use Bloc-Loc? What other type of block do you think seems to take a painstakingly amount of time to finish?
But me being such a dorky freak...I did something with them...are you curious? Something other than take crazy 'quilt porn' photos! There should be a law! I'll share a little bit later!
For now, the total time for 100 - 7 1/4" (total) trimmed and ready HST's took:
1 and 3/4 hours
I've always felt like some of the steps take far too long, like I'm drowning in a process and can't get to the end of it. It wasn't until I timed each step that I realized 10 minutes, 12 minutes or 30 minutes on it's own, isn't that bad!! It just seems like it!
Of course, you understand that this isn't a scientific experiment, totally uncontrolled except for my phones stop watch! It was a fun test and why not? I'm sitting there chain piecing and trimming, might as well have some fun!
This is one of the quilts made from my labor of love! I'm still quilting it, but you can see I didn't just time myself for nothing!
Do you ever wonder how long a step in a process takes you? Do you use Bloc-Loc? What other type of block do you think seems to take a painstakingly amount of time to finish?
LINKING:
Hi Jayne: This is an interesting process. The only thing I have timed is my stash bee block because it had to take less than 1 1/2 hours start to finish. Thanks for the tip on the block a lock rulers...maybe I'll try one and see if it makes things easier. Thats a beautiful finish you have there.
ReplyDeleteCuriosity certainly got the best of me! It was interesting to see just how long each step took. It sometimes feels like it takes so much longer! The rulers really are a time saver!
DeleteI have one little tip that could save you 5 minutes: Don't trim after the first line in chain piecing. I keep mine all attached, and just zip down the other side, then trim both threads at once when 'breaking the chain'. Not much of a time saver... also a rotating mat might help with the trimming time. :D
ReplyDeleteSaving a few minutes here and there helps! I don't use a rotating mat, but again…another great tip for saving a little more time!
DeleteI can't remember ever timing a process; maybe I'll try it. I know a lot depends on what one has to start with, but I generally use Easy Angle for HSTs -- fewer cuts, no lines to draw, and minimal trimming, if any. I have considered Bloc-Loc but want to see one being used. Maybe you can bring to a meeting some time. I do fiddly things like squaring blocks at the kitchen counter while keeping an eye on dinner preparation.
ReplyDeleteHalf square triangles aren't the most exciting to make! I got curious and in the end the time spent isn't all that long! I think I have Easy Angle…maybe I'll try it next time and save a step! I certainly will bring my rulers to the next meeting…you gotta check them out!
DeleteI've never heard of these rulers but will definitely check them out. I've only tried timing myself once and that was when I was quilting a project. I eventually gave up several hours into it. I would set down to quilt and realize after so long I had forgot to start the stop watch. oops.
ReplyDeleteBloc-Loc rulers are wonderful. If you do a lot of HST, I feel it's a must!! This was the first time I've timed myself. Since each step was timed, it was easy to keep up with the stopwatch!
DeleteGreat idea to time the various steps. It always seems to take longer than it actually does. I keep hearing about these Bloc Loc rulers but we can't get them around here. They sound like they make trimming easier.
ReplyDeleteNow that I have timed myself, it didn't seem to take nearly as long as I thought it did. I guess the process is just a little boring and seems like it drags on! The rulers do cut down on the trimming time, plus they make perfect HST's. I bought my rulers on line, the best ruler purchase I ever made!!
DeleteI do time myself most of the time, but I have to admit when it comes to lots of HST piecing... I choose to break it up to keep myself interested. It probably goes slower because of that choice, but it means I get it done!
ReplyDeleteI have done the same thing with HST's too! They sit until the mood strikes me! Timing each step made me see that it doesn't take that long to finish a stack, it just feels like it! I would be great to make HST's that didn't need to be trimmed, but that certainly isn't going to happen with me!
DeleteMy bloc-loc is one of the best ruler investments I've made. I make so many HSTs and I can't imagine life with it! That's a great idea to turn your cutting mat over when trimming things that don't need the lines. I'll have to try that next time!
ReplyDeleteI am in total agreement with you on the bloc-loc! Using the back of the mat has saved the front for when I really need to be accurate!
DeleteI love my bloc-loc and my Hera marker. Do you stack your squares when you mark with the Hera? That really saves time!
ReplyDeleteBoth get a lot of use with me! I usually stack two blocks when I draw the diagonal line with the hera marker. My eyes aren't as great as they once were…I need a good clear line now-a-days!
DeleteI have tried to time my quilting, but I tend to start and stop a lot, and then I forget to mark some of the times, so I am not very accurate! I try to cut exact sizes so I don't have to trim, and I would agree that you can wait until the second go around before cutting the chain. An easy angle guide will keep you from having to mark the pieces, but I would have to find mine first! I think that is the other thing about timing yourself is that you get concerned with efficiency instead of just enjoying the process.
ReplyDeleteI think there are always little things to do that will save a bit of time during the construction of blocks. That way we can spend the extra time carefully piecing the quilt top together! I was so curious as to how long it took making these blocks. It seems like it takes forever, not so when it's all said and done! Spaghetti scraps is a perfect description for those trimmings! I may have gone too far with the scrap thing…but its been fun and I can't wait to share the project as soon as I figure out my next step!!
DeleteOh and I wanted to say that the quilt porn is that last picture. Your quilt is gorgeous! I look forward to seeing what you did with your fabric spaghetti.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at the discipline it took to time yourself! I would have to include the dithering time, time spent changing the discs from books on tape, answering the stupid phone, letting the poodle in, letting the poodle out..
ReplyDeleteIt was easier than I thought it would be! It helped that I could do a step…let the dog out…do a step…fold laundry…you know the routine!
DeleteI finally broke down and bought a bloc-loc and it sat for ages because I didn't know how to work it. I finally searched for a tutorial and fell in love! The tutorial alone sells the product! I love your gorgeous HST's and your lovely pile of colored spaghetti!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how long it would take me to create a simple charm patchwork quilt start to finish. Thank you for the Bloc-loc endorsement. I have been thinking about getting one of the rulers but haven't yet.
ReplyDeleteI love my block Loc also for HSTs.
ReplyDeleteThe little bowl of trimmings looks like colorful noodles! I'm slow and guess it would take me much longer! I love my bloc loc rulers too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post! I have a bloc-loc but have managed to avoid doing any hsts for a while ;) The trimmings picture is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAll the time, Jayne, all the time. But i always forget to time myself. I made some pillows in recent days - I thought they would take a couple of hours...they took four to five hours each to make! Shocked the s&#t out of me! But it's definitely happy time, so well - worth the time spent, ha ha! Those fabrics look like cherrywood fabrics - kind of sueded - are they? Love the colors, too. Gonna get those trimming rulers, too. Totally NEED them. (wink wink)
ReplyDeleteI've never tried a Bloc-Loc, but I agree that HSTs aren't the most exciting blocks to construct. However, they make amazing quilts! I just finished a quilt using 17.5" HSTs -- not fun squaring those up!
ReplyDeleteFun post. I have timed myself doing chores (cleaning bathroom etc) and found I spent more time putting it off than actually doing it.
ReplyDeleteWhile pricey, I really love combining the Bloc_Loc with a rotating mat. It makes the lamest, most time-consuming part go even faster. P.S. Bloc_Loc is a really blogger-supportive company. If you contact them, and tell them that you'd love to review their half-rectangle & flying geese rulers on your beautiful blog, they may even send them to you.
ReplyDeleteIt was an interesting experiment. I always think things take hours but that's because i'm forever stopping to make coffee or check my phone or flick through a magazine... you could save yourself 2 mins though... after the first chain piecing, don't bother cutting them apart, just chain piece the other side in the same order
ReplyDeleteGreat experiment. I have meant to time myself on various quilting tasks but am always scared to see how everything really takes me :)
ReplyDeleteI love data! Thanks for sharing. I totally agree that the overall task can seem daunting, but those small intervals of time really do make some great progress. I love the bright colors you've used. What a fun project! Thank you for linking up with me for TGIFF.
ReplyDelete