Strip Piecing
 I learned about strip piecing with my first quilt, the Irish Chain. The pattern seemed simple enough. But after learning I'd have to cut out all those squares one by one, I felt discouraged. I wondered how long that would take.
Fortunately, I never had to find out. That's because I learned a faster, more accurate way to make my units. It's called strip piecing. The good news: This method also works with shapes like rectangles, triangles, and diamonds. Step 1 Cut three 1" x 6" strips. Arrange them like this:
Step 2
Place the dark strip on top of medium strip. Right sides together.
Step 3 Stitch using a scant ¼" seam allowance.
Step 4
Place the light strip on top of the medium strip. Right sides together. Stitch.
Press seam toward medium strip.
You now have a 2" x 6" unit. It's time to strip piece our units.
Step 5 Place sewn strips on cutting mat. Keep fabric edges even with grid lines on mat. Line up the 1" mark on the ruler with the left edge of fabric.
Step 6 Always cut away from your body! Rotary cut a 1" strip. This unit should measure 1" x 2". To cut another unit, repeat Steps 4 and 5.
The strip piecing method makes quilting so much easier. I admire the pioneer women who cut out their shapes one at a time. On the other hand, I embrace the simplicity and speed of modern strip piecing.
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