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Rotary Timesavers

Chain-piecing and strip-piecing are two ways to quilt more efficiently. Learn to do both.


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Easy Triangle Squares

Many quilts employ a sew-cut-sew technique that take advantage of rotary cutting. Learn this technique with some basic units: triangle-squares, Four-Patches, and Nine-Patches.

1. When a pattern calls for many triangle-squares of the same two fabrics, first cut a strip from each fabric 7/8" wider than the finished triangle-square. For example, for a finished 6"-square, cut a strip from each fabric 6-7/8" wide.

2. Pair the strips with right sides together, and cut the layered strips into squares; in our example, cut the strips into 6-7/8" squares. Place a layered pair of squares on a piece of 220-grit sandpaper. Use a pencil and ruler to draw a diagonal line on the top square.

3. Stitch 1/4" on each side of the drawn line, then cut on the drawn line to make two triangle units. Press each triangle unit open to make triangle-squares.