Fun With Bonus HST's

Half square triangles are just plain fun, but bonus half square triangles are perhaps even better!  I make a lot of quilts with HST's because they can be used to make so many different patterns.  The possibilities are endless!

After making a massive amount of Flying Geese blocks, I was left with an option.  Bonus HST's or toss them in the trash.  If you know me, you know I'd never toss something that could possibly be sewn together and used.  I don't believe its in my DNA!

BONUS HST's
43" x 63"

It was on retreat back in February where I started making flying geese, and it was April 1st that I decided to sew a quilt with the bonus HST's (Bonus HST's For The Win).  I was left with three sizes of blocks that were trimmed to 1 1/2", 2 1/2" and 3 1/2".  After some fiddling around, I settled on a design I was happy with and promptly pieced it together.



The top was finished and has been pinned together waiting for the end game...quilting.  Putting off quilting has been my practice these days!  I've gotten in the habit of having two, three or four ready to quilt before I actually will sit down and do it.



The three squares were quilted in the ditch on the diagonal creating a grid design.  Three different HST's, three different grid sizes. 



It was finished with 1" horizontal lines across the top two squares on each side and vertical lines for the largest square.  



Grids and lines!  I had one spool of thread that was the closest to the background (Kona Celestial) as I could find in my thread stash.  I had exactly enough to quilt the entire quilt!  Phew!  I was sweating bullets when the spool ran out, but my bobbin was full enough to split and complete the job!  There is nothing more frustrating than running out of thread!



My mind is always thinking about what else could I do?!  Adding a few scraps of color here and there around the binding happens to be one of my favorite things to do.  I picked a few colors from the prints and randomly popped them in.



And of course there is always the back.  There are many times when I don't have enough backing.  I've adapted to those situations by adding scraps by making a vertical or horizontal strip.  It's also the best way to use the bits and pieces of fabric scraps accumulated from the quilt top.  I really don't like to let them sit around! 



You know when you buy the same color of fabric on separate occasions and when you put them together and there is a noticeable difference in color?  I'll add a strip of some sort on the back separating the fabrics and viola! you'd never know the difference!



For those who make flying geese (and other blocks), here is a diagram for sewing bonus HST's before cutting them off of the original block.

With a square aligned on your rectangle for Flying Geese, stitch from corner to corner, sew another line 1/2" from the original line.  Grab your rotary cutter and ruler, and cut between the stitch lines.  Now you have a bonus HST ready to rock and roll whenever you are!

I like to sew the extra line before cutting weather I'm using the bonus pieces right away or not.  If I'm not going to use them immediately at least they are sewn together for the future!

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