Does It Work - Triangulations - CD Rom

A few years ago, I wrote a post that you can read here.  Triangle paper is a very quick way to make accurate half and quarter square triangles.  There are several brands on the market and I have used most of them and found them to be very accurate.

Not long ago, I was given the opportunity to test Triangulations CD Rom which allows a quilter to make many more sizes than are available on the market.  In addition, the latest version allows you to print your own quarter square triangles and also a version of flying geese called tamed geese.  Three shapes in one CD, not a bad deal at all.

While the Triangulations CD costs just under $30.00, you can print an unlimited number of sizes and types of triangles.  How cool is that? I have tried all of the versions and all work well., but I've concentrated on half-square triangles as that is the type I use the most.  I love that I can print an unlimited number any time I need triangle paper -- even the middle of the night or when I don't want to take the time to drive to a quilt shop to purchase the pre-printed variety.

Triangulations runs on any PC or Mac computer with Adobe Formatted to fit standard 8-1//2 x 11 computer paper.  You may purchase the CD at many quilt shops, or simply go to the company web site and order online.  Mine came very quickly and I was ready to print.  DO make sure you read the instructions carefully before printing.

Once printed, place your fabrics right sides together and pin the printed triangle paper on top being sure to pin where you won't be sewing.

Stitch on the lines as the instructions suggest.

And cut apart on the solid lines.

Notice that there is a printed line on each corner to aid in cutting off the dog ears prior to removing paper and pressing.

In this case, I printed paper that would give a 1-1/2" finished half-square, so the stitched and pressed unit needed to measure exactly 2".  As you can see, it was very accurate and worked just as the instructions said it would!  I love the accuracy that triangle paper produces.  It makes quilt making so much easier if all of the units measure exactly what they are supposed to!

I hope you will give Triangulations CD a try.  It will be money well spent.  The only draw back is the thickness of the computer paper, but when stitching with a shortened stitch length as instructed, it really is not hard to remove.  If this seems like a problem, simply purchase foundation papers that are not quite as firm a paper and are usually available at your local quilt shop.

I have no affiliation with Triangulations, I just wanted to let you know about a product that works well!  Triangulations has been on the market for some time now and has, I'm sure, been tested by other quilt makers, as well.

Until Next Time

xoxoXOXOxoxo

Lois

Does it Work? Best Press

One of the things I've done over the past few years that has been fun is testing products and writing articles about those tests for the Quilting Quarterly which is the member magazine for the National Quilting Association, Inc.

This is an updated version of the test I did on the product Mary Ellen's Best Press.

Starting with well-pressed fabric is essential for cutting accuracy. Some quilt makers simply use a steam iron.  Others spray their fabrics with water before pressing and still others like to use spray starch for a crisp finish.  Another choice is to use Mary Ellen's Best Press and yet another is to make your own "Best Press" using easily obtained ingredients.

Mary Ellen's Best Press promises to make ironing easier, smells wonderful, and there is no flaking even on dark fabrics.  It is non-clogging, acid-free, and leaves no residue, relaxes stubborn wrinkles while giving clothes a crisp, new finish. It makes clothes soil resistant, makes fabric look brand new and does not attract bugs.

As a confirmed starch user, I was skeptical.  However, I had not been happy with the starch flaking on dark fabrics, so gave Best Press a try.  I purchased the 16 oz. spray bottle at a cost of about $7.95.  There are other sizes and costs may vary depending on where you buy the product.  I used a 30% off coupon at a local quilt shop so that did reduce the cost a big.

I sprayed the product on dark fabric and pressed using the cotton setting.  Here is the result.

No flakes!  I was impressed!

The same fabric sprayed with a commercial spray starch looked like this after pressing.

Though the starch product I used has a statement on the can that says flaking can be avoided by allowing the starch to be absorbed by the fabric before pressing, I have had mixed results when doing so.  Still, I love the crispness that starch gives, so I do continue to use starch for some things.

It wasn't long after this that a friend told me that there was a formula for making a product that mimics Best Press using 3 oz. of vodka, 1 teaspoon of essential oil fragrance and mixing with 24 oz. of distilled water.  I tried it and it did work as well as the commercial Best Press, so I was hooked on that.  It was far cheaper and worked as well, so who could beat that, I thought.

And then, I did beat that.  I experimented with adding a bit of liquid starch to the vodka and water mixture until I had just the amount I felt produced the best results.  I now add 1/2 cup of liquid starch each time I make this home made version and love the results.

The original maker of this stated that she used potato vodka, but I really just buy the cheapest brand I can find and it works just fine.  The essential oil fragrance I've purchased at WalMart and find it with the candles.  The Dollar Tree stores also sell essential oil fragrance and it is found with the candles there as well, though their bottle is a bit smaller, it costs only a dollar!  I prefer the lavender fragrance, but any would do.

I will add my own caution -- I do not guarantee that you will have success, but two of my friends and I use this formula all of the time.  Try it once and if you would rather pay more for the commercial product, by all means, do so.

Now for the starch lovers, like me, I still use spray starch for some things.  When I want something very crisp, I use spray starch that I make myself.  The directions were on the bottle of liquid starch I purchased.  I mix the starch half and half with water for a pretty stiff result when pressed.  If you want less stiffness, just use less liquid starch.

It works for me! Give it a try and you might change the way you press fabrics. You may save some money and be able to buy more fabric so it's a win/wing situation!  Let me know what you think! If you have any questions, please just leave a comment to ask.

I will tell you that I was criticized for mentioning that starch flakes.  It says so on the container, so I feel no guilt in making that statement.  I still like starch and use it, I'm just very careful with the dark fabrics just like I was before and sometimes, it still flakes!

Until next time,

xoxoXOXOxoxo

Lois