Hey Everyone, welcome back to Cool Tool Thursday. I am now into the third day of the 365 day blog challenge and the first day of Cool Tool Thursday.
Today’s tool highlight is the Quick & Easy Block Tool from C&T Publishing. Michael bought this little tool for me for Christmas many years ago and it has been an invaluable reference to own. I have referred to it many times when I need to make a block for something and it needs to be a certain size. In fact just yesterday I referenced it for the 2-grid blocks to use in the first segment of Stash Blasting Wednesday.
Block Tool Cover
The tool looks a lot like a paint chip book from your local paint shop but instead of paint chips there is a different block on each page. A total of 102 blocks all together – now that isn’t all the quilt blocks in the world but it is a good start. All of the blocks are listed in the front and divided into 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 & 9 grid blocks for easy referencing.
Display of all the blocks.
Each page has it’s own block along with a graphic of the block, a second graphic of the pieces broken down and how they should be sewn together.
A block per page.
A table accompanies each block with the cutting instructions for 5 different sizes ranging from 3 inch blocks to 15 inch blocks.
Why do the math when it is already done and sitting in a table waiting to be used?
Table highlighting block size and cutting sizes.
There is one part of the table I adjust as I am not happy with the cutting instructions for half square triangles (HSTs) – they have you cut squares diagonally to create triangles which means sewing everything on the bias. Sewing on the bias is not easy due to stretching and often results in not so square squares. I get around this by adding adding another ⅝″ to the the size of the square said to cut in the chart and make my HSTs without sewing on the bias. (Stay tuned next week for Technique Tuesday which will be all about how to make HSTs)
As well in the back of the reference tool is all kinds of cool and handy information. Things like diagonal measurement of blocks, corner alignment for piecing shapes, corner and setting triangle sizes and so much more.
The bottom line for the Quick & Easy Block Tool? A fantastic tool – a must for every quilter.
Coolness factor out of 10. Quilts by Jen rates it at a 9.5.
Usefulness factor out of 10. Quilts by Jen rates it at a 10.
Happy Quilting!
Disclosure Note: I buy and use the products mentioned in this post and write about them without influence from the designer or any other commercial interests. I have included links to the products on Amazon.com and may receive a small commission if you purchase from these links. This doesn’t cost you any more to purchase these items but it does help me maintain this website, so I hope that you will please use these links.
