Learn To Take An Old Pattern & Make It Using Today's Best Methods | Episode 98

In this episode, The Opinionated Quilter shows you how to take old pattern blocks, break them down into units and make them using the new Deb Tucker's methods giving you far better results.

[@cindymcfarland4686]

I absolutely love Deb Tucker's rulers! There's no better way to create perfectly sized blocks.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Thanks for watching.

[@virginiareitz7949]

Thank you for today’s video. I have Tuckerized so many patterns I have lost count. Love Deb Tucker’s rulers and technique sheets.

[@juliaconner5445]

I really like your method of modernizing old patterns. Great episode!

[@karenhuffer3863]

Thank you for explaining that I have to oversize my squares. No one explained to oversize when I first started quilting several years ago. I end up frustrated and lots of scraps that end up in the trash and lost hours of work redoing, recutting and starting over.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

You are so welcome!

[@judyfargo8162]

I'm so happy you recommend oversizing when cutting. I wish when I started quilting, back in the Stone Age, that someone had told me to do that.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Me too. It took me a long time to stumble on Deb at quilt market. So glad I found her.

[@littlejoan7473]

Absolutely, I agree with you on block construction. I had a pattern in front of me just before watching your video. It has directions calling for cutting piles of 1 1/2" squares to make basic trip around the world blocks. Can you imagine a new quilter slogging through all that, not knowing there is a much more efficient way? And this is a recent pattern!

[@mcv8449]

Geez Louise! Hard nope on that.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Crazy! That is why I say patterns are like recipes, some are written really well, some very poorly and the rest in between.

[@littlejoan7473]

🤩@@mcv8449

[@littlejoan7473]

🤩😘@@theopinionatedquilter

[@shirleyleon7471]

I also use the Deb Tucker rulers. It's always a pleasure to have the blocks turn out so well. Thank you for sharing.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

thank you for watching.

[@helenpeddycord2241]

Thank you for the demo Maureen! I purchased several Deb Tucker rulers at the Huston show last year. I’m so thankful for your introduction to these rulers and Debs demonstration on how to use them. My piecing is much more accurate, the first time and in the end saves me time and money with less waste. Love that the cutting direction sheets are included with the rulers to follow along.

[@abeullah03]

I can’t believe the price of these rulers, also had to buy a new light for my sewing machine, I have Macular degeneration so I decided to get a led. Cheapest price was $39.99. I really like Deb Tuckers rulers. Another great video. Thank you for sharing

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Thank you for watching.

[@sherryfaires7931]

Great tutorial! I am a Deb Tucker gal, too! Her rulers help to make blocks accurate!

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Absolutely.

[@nancylyman5192]

Thank you for this. It has set me thinking about some of the patterns my mother saved in the “olden days”. I’ve always thought they would just be TOO hard for me, but if I just think a little bit about changing the techniques, I may be able to try!

[@theopinionatedquilter]

That is so good to hear.

[@C123abc]

Thank you so much! I did not like the Quilter's Select ruler at first but then found my Creative Grids slipped a bit on an important fabric. I tried the QS ruler again and it was so wonderful that I'm replacing all my rulers with the Quilter's Select ones. Also, since discovering Deb Tucker's methods my quilts are so much better and I end up with better points and stronger seams (in the past some seams less that 1/8"). This was a great explanation of how to oversize and get better results with modern rulers!

[@suebennett3715]

Wonderful tutorial love Deb Tuckers rulers

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Thanks for watching..

[@susanswanson8404]

I learned to quilt in the early 80s. I made a lone star quilt cutting out each diamond and while I loved the result I knew I’d never make another one because of all the pieces. I put quilting aside for the last several years, picking it up again during the pandemic. I knew about strip sets by then so they weren’t new but I am continuously blown away as I learn updated methods. I was always the kind of quilter that close was good enough because my original instructor told me, as I cut out hexies, that if I put my forefinger flat on the fabric I could use it as a way of measuring a half inch between hexies. It only occurred to me recently that she was a tiny petite person and I’m a big Swede - my flat finger was nearly 3/4”! Probably why my triple Irish chain was a dismal failure, nothing matched up! Of late I have realized I need more accuracy and am striving for that. I’ve not used Tucker trimmers, none of the classes I’ve taken uses them either, but I’m going to get the wing clipper one because my flying geese are pitiful. I’m grateful for your tutorials and guidance, I appreciate your honesty as well. Between your vids and Tucker trimmer vids I should be able to master this skill. I love an adventure! Thank you, Maureen!

[@marlenejordan9442]

Deb Tucker's Wing Clipper is the best one to use for Flying Geese, you will love it !! Best $ ever spent on a quilting tool !! Good luck !!

[@theopinionatedquilter]

thank you for watching.

[@debbiepyleverhoeven5234]

I had a chuckle when you referred to 2005 as the olden days.

[@TheJAG1357]

Excellent video. Thank you so very much ❤❤❤. I will be getting some of Deb Tucker rulers thanks to your helpful videos!

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Thank you for watching.

[@bethkoch11]

I love my Tucker Trimmer - my HST's are always perfect! Even today, as you've pointed out many times, you can watch tutorials and there may be a more efficient way to accomplish the same thing. I recently watched a tutorial by a fairly well-known presenter (no names) and she made multiple 4-patches using squares sewn together. I couldn't see any reason in that case not to use the strip method. Bottom line, I'm always learning! And a final thought - rulers are pricey enough, but $90, no way! I realize the light is a nice feature, but I could never justify that cost.

[@rosejohnson452]

Thanks for your opinions and conversion techniques.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Glad you like them!

[@debraswofford3156]

Your demonstration made use of the rulers easier. Thank you for your practical videos!

[@theopinionatedquilter]

You're very welcome!

[@user-sz6uf6og9z]

I just love your channel and today’s video was especially helpful! I’ve never considered Deb tuckers rulers but as I’m currently working on a BOM with confusing instructions I will plan to invest so I won’t have to remake each block. Thank you 🙏 🎉😅

[@theopinionatedquilter]

I am glad to help.

[@ccreel64]

Thank you so much for sharing this today Maureen! I’m growing my collection of Deb Tucker rulers thanks to you. I love them and make far fewer errors since starting to use them.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

I feel the same way.

[@suekelly840]

Thanks, Maureen for the demonstration. Until now, I never thought of making a flying geese unit using half square triangles. I would suggest that you add a few more actual pieces in your step by step instruction. It's hard for me to visualize those middle steps (but maybe that's just me?)

[@theopinionatedquilter]

All of the steps are shown in the instructions with the rulers. I will try to be more clear going forward.

[@morebaloney1539]

Last year I cut 60 degree triangles with three different rulers plus scan n cut. Every single set was a different size. I was gobsmacked. Made my project difficult. I like creative grids MATs. The rulers exactly match the mat dimensions which is helpful. So pick a ruler and stick to it. Oh yeah, my accuquilt squares are different than my ruler squares. It depends on how your rotary blade lands I think.

[@maxer6205]

Great info! Thank you for sharing

[@sevenandthelittlestmew]

I’ve been waiting for the longer glow ruler. When you say condescending things like, “MaYbE this would be useful for someone…”, or “If your vision is ReALly ThAt BaD…” Well, let’s talk about that. I have a form of muscular dystrophy that affects my vision, and it’s a progressive disease. I’d like to quilt as long as I possibly can. If I have tools to help me continue to enjoy my art, all the better. I understand that it’s expensive. I understand also that it’s an investment in my tools. I understand further that people can be ableist without realizing it, because they’re healthy and strong. Please try to only be honest about how the prices are different, and may be a factor in each person’s decisions. That’s all. Don’t be critical of those of us who DO want to invest in a ruler with a light. My life. My money. Enough said.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

100%. Everyone's decision as to how to spend their quilting dollar is theirs alone. And, that is what I try to present. You, in fact, are the person I am thinking of when I say it may be right for some people. There was no condescension or criticism of the person that these rulers work for. For many, it is an added expensive feature that is not needed.

[@leahholland6272]

I just wish more of my local stores would carry creative grids rulers instead of olfa or omnigrid. I do like fiskars for my 6x24 ruler as they will replace when the lines wear off!

[@theopinionatedquilter]

I really like the creative grids. They just have them in every size imaginable.

[@nancysharon931]

I enjoy all your videos. I prefer Eleanor Burns way of making flying geese. I already have all her rulers. They are easiest for me to read.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

It is always best to use what works best for you.

[@bredadonohoe4403]

But what if you don't have a Deb Tucker ruler and can't afford to buy all those new rulers plus shipping 😢

[@theopinionatedquilter]

There are very few people that can buy all of the rulers in one shot. Most of my customers purchase them one at a time as they are needed for a project. You can ask you local quilt shop to carry them, then at least there would be no shipping.

[@colettesorrells9015]

❤❤❤

[@diannplatt-roberts8692]

❤

[@diannaskillen845]

Frustrating with the push for particular rulers - square squared ruler purchased locally in Australia is $120 not including postage. Easy enough to do without specialty rulers.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Wow, that is a big price tag. I wonder how it gets that high. I know that Canada has a distributor and it is cheaper to buy from them rather than directly from Deb but I don't know about Australia. I will email Studio180 and ask.

[@beccachurch]

Hi, Maureen. I'm a 3-year quilter and prefer not to buy more rulers.

[@blairseibert1778]

I appreciate Maureen's enthusiasm. I'm a quilter of three years as well and don't want more rulers. I know there are some tables on Fat Quarter Shop's, Just Get It Done quilts sites for flying geese and hour glass blocks. Do a Google search.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

That is 100% your choice. Everyone gets to spend their quilting dollar as they see fit. I just show you what works for me.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

I have referenced Kimberly's charts and Bonnie Hunter's charts on previous videos. They are very helpful.

[@blairseibert1778]

​@@theopinionatedquilterthank you. I was just responding to the woman not wanting to buy more rulers.

[@blairseibert1778]

​@@theopinionatedquilteryou provide lots of wonderful content. Thank you!

[@karenwerts2331]

[@HelenaE99]

❤❤❤