Since I was planning to work on Lacey and Jared's baby quilt at the beach, I packed a sewing kit full of all the necessary tools and materials. I had everything right at hand to cut out the pieces--rotary cutter, rulers, mat. I had brought my treasured Singer Featherweight, extra needles, thread, etc. I was sure I was well prepared.
To construct the flying geese for the border, I was using the method where you start with a rectangle and sew a square to each side to make the goose. (See Speed Piecing Method A.) No cutting triangles or sewing bias edges this way. But before I start sewing the geese units, I like to lightly mark each square's diagonal so that my stitching line will be straight. But I had forgotten to pack any kind of a marking utensil. Didn't even have a pencil. (I did have a pen, but didn't want to use it on my fabric.) I found a couple of pencil stubs on the bar at the condo, but the points were dull and there was no pencil sharpener.
While scrambling through kitchen drawers for something to mark with, I came upon this pizza cutter. And suddenly, I just knew it would work. Now I'm probably not the first person who has ever marked fabric using a pizza cutter, but I've never seen it done, so for me it's a new technique. Here's how to do it: Lay your ruler across the square diagonally, corner to corner. Run the pizza cutter along the edge or the ruler, using it just as if it were a rotary cutter and you were cutting the squares into triangles. Except the pizza cutter isn't sharp enough to cut the fabric like the rotary cutter does. It simply marks a crease where you have rolled it. Voila! A perfect stitching line. (I was able to mark two squares at a time, laying them on top of each other with all edges matching.)
I finished the top. As soon as I find it, I'll post a photo. Then I'm taking it to Lena at New Traditions to have it quilted.
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On 07/18/2007, Terri said ...
Hey, that's a cool tip...thanks!
On 07/18/2007, Sister said ...
Looks like the condo was very bright and cheerful, pretty decorating. Your pictures make me want to start quilting some of my tops, but I can't decide which one to start on. - JRC
P.S. Thanks for the pizza-cutter tip.
On 07/18/2007, Wenche said ...
What a good idea! Hope you don't mind me using it as well :) Just another gadget from the kitchen and not the LQS. Love it ;)
On 07/19/2007, Rian said ...
Well I'll be darned. How clever are you!
Necessity is the mother of invention...
On 07/19/2007, KJ said ...
Just discovered your blog at 3:59 AM California time! (My hubby is an Independent Milkman; yes, they still exist! So often, I am up at this time because of his alarm.) I am enjoying your site. I loved the the WOW Bible Study photo! (I am the Women's Leader at my own church and a Worship Leader.) I have also enjoyed gaining a peak into your world! I am new to blogging and oh what fun!
Best Blessings!
Kj (Karen Miller)
On 07/19/2007, KJ said ...
Just discovered your blog at 3:59 AM California time! (My hubby is an Independent Milkman; yes, they still exist! So often, I am up at this time because of his alarm.) I am enjoying your site. I loved the the WOW Bible Study photo! (I am the Women's Leader at my own church and a Worship Leader.) I have also enjoyed gaining a peak into your world! I am new to blogging and oh what fun!
Best Blessings!
Kj (Karen Miller)
On 07/22/2007, Nicole said ...
You are brilliant. That is a fabulous idea to mark your diagonal line with a pizza cutter. I am always leaving pen smears on my ruler and this way I wouldn't have any of that mess.
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