seweasy

I've seen so many cute baby quilts made with the templates that I wanted to give it a try. Since I enjoy making baby quilts, tablerunners and wallhangings the most, I was interested in finding smaller rulers than the 5"and !0" sizes templates but couldn't find any. So I went to a auto glass/plexiglas shop and they cut three sizes for me, 3",4" and 5", thought I'd get the 5" for maybe a wallhanging. I told the shop what I was using the sqaures for so they did a pretty good job making the templates very sqaure and good smooth edges. One or two had a few rough places that I was able to smooth out with 600 grit sandpaper. Paid $8 for all three!
I've drawn out the lines on the templates and started sewing the sqaures together. Now I have a two questions. First, I cut 4.5" blocks, can I use the 4" template or do I need to use the 5"? Second, after cutting the first row with the template; for the second row, do I turn the template the opposite direction and cut the next row or does matter which way the pieces are cut?
Any tips or suggestion would greatly appreciated :) Chris

DawnMarie

I don't think it matters which way you turn the template. I used the Twister Template for a couple of my quilts, and I don't remember that being a problem at all.
As long as you have your lines drawn correctly on your template, you should be fine.

thimblebug6000

I've never made one, but I see a tutorial about them that might give you a little more guidance.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-128435-1.htm

seweasy

Thanks so much. We'll see if I got the lines right or not!!! Chris

PaperPrincess

I think that your sizes may be off a bit. The twister ruler that uses the 5" blocks is actually only 3 1/2 inches. I think the one for the 10" blocks is 6 1/2 inches. So if you cut 4.5" blocks, the ruler that you would need to accomodate this size would be between 2 1/2 & 3"

BarbaraSue

I made the Lil' Twister quilt with the instructions that came with it.
The Lil' Twister uses 5" charm blocks to start with, sewn together, then cut with the template or ruler in the order you sewed them. Then you sew them together in that same order row by row.
The Twister is the largest one and uses 10" blocks to start with.
There is a Mini Twister, but I'm not sure of the size of block to start with.

BarbaraSue

I made the Lil' Twister quilt with the instructions that came with it.
The Lil' Twister uses 5" charm blocks to start with, sewn together, then cut with the template or ruler in the order you sewed them. Then you sew them together in that same order row by row.
The Twister is the largest one and uses 10" blocks to start with.
There is a Mini Twister, but I'm not sure of the size of block to start with.

ewecansew

As to your question about turning the template, you want to keep it the same direction all the time for one project. It helps if you mark an arrow and write the word UP on it.

seweasy

Well, I'm glad I had a 3" template cut, will try that.From the different quilts I looked at, seemed the quilts were a good bit smaller than what it started out to be.
I didn't use the best fabric to make the first quilt but I sew alot of charity quilts for the preemie units for the area hospitals; so I figured if it comes out cute, it will be just one more quilt I have ready.
Part of the reason I like working on the smaller quilts is I have athritis and a trigger finger, and I don't have a large area to work on. Sometimes even working on the smaller quilts, my hands and wrists hurt for days after. The pressure gloves help some.
It will be interesting to see what it looks like. Will post a pictures as I start putting the pieces back together. Chris

PaperPrincess

Yes, there will be a fair bit of left over fabric with this. You wind up with small squares that are not exactly on the bias, but not exactly on the straight grain either. I still pieced them together & used them in the border. Good luck!