36.

I've noticed that I spend a lot time starting my posts off by apologizing for not posting the day before...and to avoid doing this everyday, I think I'm going to opt not to post everyday anymore, sometimes it's just too much with a baby, and a house to clean, and other things going on in my life. I am going to start out with a schedule and see how that goes, and I'm going to post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I'll try to keep with that, but if it doesn't work out...well it'll work out.
Anyways. yesterday James had his 9 month check up...and those appointments really consume my day. So no, I didn't really do anything productive...oh well. But, this morning I finally decided to work on my quilt, and after putting off James' quilt for over a week...I've gotten a little behind schedule...so I really need to get moving if I want it to be an Easter present for him...

I'm doing a half square triangle quilt which I had never done before, and I way underestimated the intensity of the project. I found lots of really good tutorials on pinterest [my two favorites are this one and this one]

Making Half Square Triangles:

First you want to cut out lots of squares...lots and lots of squares.  I wanted 4 inch squares so I made a 4 7/8 inch template out of chipboard, and cut out 2 yards of each fabric...

the math part:

add 7/8" to the desired finished size of your hst block.
example: 3" finished hst block will start with 3 7/8" squares.
{to make 3 1/2" unfinished hst block.}

[I got this straight from p.s i quilt, I'm awful at math...and this made it super easy]

next draw a line down the middle of one square.

Pin it. 

Then sew 1/4" away from your pencil line on either side.

Then repeat on the other side of the line.

Cut along the pencil line. Then you are left with two squares. Make sure to press the seams.

Sewing Half Square Triangles Together:

Take four squares and line them up how you want them.

See the little "ears" on the sides? Take the extra 4 seconds it takes to cut them off. You don't absolutely have to do this...but it makes life easier in the long run.

Pin and sew each row of squares together, take your time, and make sure they are lined up nicely.

 Press the seams.

The sew the two rows together. 

Repeat...lots and lots of times.

I'll post another tutorial of this exact quilt on how to bind it...but this is all I pretty much have done as of now...so, in a few days. 

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