Today’s a travel day for me but I thought I’d post some quick notes on the Chisel Stars since I’ve had so many people asked what pattern I’m using … while I’m sure there are patterns available I’m not using one … I pulled out my Accuquilt GO dies and started cutting.

DIES USED – 3 x 6 chisel die and 3 inch finished half square triangle.

• Quilt size – 56 x 68
• Block size – 12 inches finished (12.5 with seam allowances)
• Chisel size – 3 x 6 inches finished (3.5 x 6.5 with seam allowances)
• Blocks set 4 across and 5 rows down – 20 blocks needed
• Border – cut 4.5 inches

When placing the fabric on the chisel die … do NOT fan fold, place each layer of fabric with the right side up.

The blocks are very easy to piece when cut with the GO. All you need is to make 4 light and 4 dark chisels for each block and sew them together as shown below.

PAY ATTENTION to how the chisel blocks are rotated when you’re sewing the light and the dark chisels together!!

Each section will be sewn the same way and just rotated in the final block. Make 20 blocks.

I’m making 2 blocks from each fat quarter so I needed 10 fat quarters (there is a little leftover from each fat quarter). I’m not done yet so I can’t tell you exactly how much background I’m using for the entire quilt but since it’s the same pieces in each block as the fat quarters it will be less than 2.5 yards.

I’m going to use the same fabric for the border and binding and 2 yards will do it allowing me to cut the borders from the lengthwise grain without piecing them. If you want to piece them, you’d need less fabric.

With less than 7 weeks left in the year, I’m thinking about what I want to accomplish/finish up before 2019 ends.

First on the list – I’m going to make a little rectangle top with the leftover jelly roll strips from Mom’s Bento Box.

Next – Use one of my new dies from Blue Wren to make a RWB hourglass top. I drafted this one a while back but it uses 4 inch finished quarter square triangles.

My new die is a 6 inch block so I redrafted it. This one will be 54 x 72 and the hourglass blocks will be set 9×12.

Also on the list …

• Quilting 4 tops
• finishing the ripple blanket
• knitting hats
• piecing one more top (I’ve not decided what)
• Stitching the last wool felt stocking

What do you plan to finish up this year?!

I’m thankful for all those who served including my dad and Keith’s dad.

You know that my focus is donation quilting and while I don’t exclusively make quilts for veterans I try each year to make at least a couple to donate and through my MaryQuilts.com website, I share inspiration/instructions for veteran quilts.

Here’s the link to ideas for Veteran quilts on my website. And here are a few of my donation quilts you’ll find there.

I love twisted blocks! I’ve made a number of quilts with them over the years … some with focus prints, some with blocks.

A year or so ago, I found some leftover pinwheel blocks and made a small twisted pinwheel doll quilt. I really want to make a larger version of this quilt so I drafted it out tonight (at 4 am when I should have been sleeping but couldn’t) … I often design in RWB even when I plan to make a multicolored scrap quilt because it’s quick and easy to design in 3 colors AND a lot of my readers make and donate quilts for veterans so I like having quilt ideas for them.

Here’s my doll quilt

And here is my plan for the full size quilt.

• Quilt size will be 54 x 72
• Block size will be 9 inches finished
• Pinwheel blocks with be 6.5 inches with seam allowances and made from 3 inch finished HSTs (3.5 inches with seam allowances)
• I’ll use the instructions posted on my Website for my Twisted 9 patch to twist the blocks.

I wanted to see what my Plus quilt would look like without the sashing so I drafted a quick version. I’d like to make this one scrappy and probably wouldn’t put borders on it.

You can see how to make the blocks on my website at this link.

I haven’t sewn any this weekend but I have been moving and folding fabric … progress is being made.

Stephanie announced September’s precut the other day – it’s Fat Quarters. I have more fat quarters than any other precut and I’ve been debating what to make this month. I think I’ve decided to make a HST quilt maybe a larger version of this one I made earlier in the year using Charm Squares. I had one random pack of squares and had been wanting to try a quilt setting the HST as diamonds.

I played around a little with another variation this afternoon and I’m guessing I probably won’t decide which to use until I choose my fat quarters.