Sizzix Test Run

I recently pulled out my new Sizzix and the 4.5 inch HST die for a test run.  Happy days, happy days.  I was so excited to give this a try.  I came prepared with a little charm square as eventually I'd love to make a scrappy HST quilt with all of the bits and bobs laying around my quilting space.  So, I loaded the little machine and gave it a crank.  This is what came out the other side:

Can you see the little lines where the die cut the fabric?  There's very little waste. The largest piece of waste is where the HST points are removed for you and I am MORE than happy to have the machine toss them out instead of me cutting them, then tossing them. 

But there's a problem.  When I went to remove the two HSTs from the die, they were not fully cut from the waste edge.  There are little threads continuing to hold the HSTs together.  Can you see it here?  One in the deep orange at the upper tip of my finger and the other at the yellow-orange near the edge of the fabric square?

And here between the two pieces of HST....

Still, I cracked open a charm pack of Oh Deer and got to cutting.  I'm thrilled with how quickly this went, how precise the pieces are AND that there will be no trimming of the HSTs when they're done.  I had to cut apart each and every one of these with a little pair of scissors. 

I was thrilled that there was so little waste after cutting an entire charm pack.  You'd easily have this much left after squaring HSTs made the traditional way.

So, is that right Sizzix owners?  Do you guys usually have the little threads left over? Is my die dull?  It very much reminded me of cutting with a dull rotary blade.  That can't be right...

EDITED: Just to add, I did try with up to six layers of fabric and had the same issue with at least the top three layers.  The bottom layers were better, but usually had a few hangy-on bits.

Pezzy Pizazz

A top!  I finally have my little pezzy prints into a top!  It took a long, long time to tame  trim my HSTs into submission shape, but in the end all of that effort was 100% worth while.

This pattern came together so very quickly once the HSTs were uniform size.  Without a bother the points just seemed to match up perfectly.  I will say, this was also a wonderful pattern for seams nesting to give some guidance when sewing.  By pressing the seams always to the print, each I sewed a seam the pieces just melted together and the points were nice and crisp.  

On the back I'll use a Kona Corn Yellow.  I haven't worked out how I'll bind it yet, but that will come while I'm quilting away.  

Any suggestions on how to quilt it?  I could do diagonal straight lines easily, but I'm starting to feel like that's a cop-out.  Concentric semi circles?  

Pezzy HST Heaven

Did you see the last edition of Fat Quarterly?  It's chock-o-block with pre-cut patterns, which suits my recent fixation with charm packs and layer cakes perfectly!   Or is it dangerously?  Either way, I can't get enough.  Inside, I found a pattern by Svetlana for a baby quilt that made my heart flutter:

Photo from S.O.T.A.K Handmade

I pulled out my Pezzy charm pack and got to stitching!

168 HSTs later, I am up to my eyeballs in little blocks that need to be squared and trimmed.  Still, I'm happy as can be!

I am a bit focused on baby quilts as of late as A) I need to find a way at craft shows to demonstrate to new quilters what they can make with a charm pack and B) I need to make a few to sell in the shop.  I think this one, though, will also be used to teach me how to hand quilt while again, acting as a demo for the perle cotton in the shop.  I have high hopes for this little cutie!