OK- so last week when I said I had lost my mojo? Well. Turns out I was actually getting sick. it appears that I caught a bug on my last trip and it turned into a sinus/respiratory/ear infection…
So now, on major meds, I feel a little better. I knew I was sick when I didn’t want to quilt.
(Not quilt??? Wait, didn’t I take a vow- to quilt, in sickness and in health… No, that isn’t right. Neither rain nor sleet nor…. Nope. Wrong again!)
Today I am back to quilting- I better be, I have so much to do! So I was making some HSTs and I thought, I should show what I am doing…
I have a ton of these little cuties to make and then they are going to be sewn together. Last time I did this, I had an epiphany. 
First question: Do I always use Thangles to make HSTs? Nope, but I really like using them for small HSTs. I am so much more accurate. I don’t always sew straight. I try, and am very happy when I do, but it does not always happen. So I look for things that help make me accurate, even if they are not faster.
Second question: Why, if I am making Flying Geese, am I not doing a rectangle and maybe some stitch and flip? Well, that is a long story, but the real answer is, sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t.
(By the way, this whole self interview thing is kind of fun!)
Third Question: What was my epiphany? Ahh… now the good stuff! Well, I like to make the HSTs with half the group pressed to one fabric and the other half pressed to the other fabric. Then when I sew them together, they nest so perfectly and I get a really good looking goose.
I like a good looking goose! So, when I lay down the Thangles, I have half the strips with one fabric on top, the other, with the stack reversed. Makes sense.
Then I trim- OK, small clarification here. 
Yes, I cut my strips a little wider than the Thangle paper and trim the long edges. Why? Did I mention how I like to sew straight but don’t always? Yes, I did. So, sewing insurance. I figure these two extra cuts are worth their weight in accuracy gold.
Now for the epiphany. The question: How do I keep track of the two different groups of HSTs once they are pressed, peeled and their little wings cut off?
Answer? Bowls.
How simple and effective. I cut, throwing them in their separate bowls.
I press; back in the bowl.
I cut off their wings (or dog ears, or whatever you like to call them!), back in the bowl.
I can take my little bowls of adorable HSTs to the machine, grab one from each, nest those seams together and pedal to the medal thru the machine.
And viola! A good looking goose!
happy quilting,
Kate
p.s. I know, bowls. But hey, it worked!
Thanks! I learned something new. Now I don’t feel quite as bad that with a new car and new phone the current score is Technology 2, Wendy 0.