I picked up this charm pack at the Missouri Star Quilt Company on our trip last month.

I was trying to come up with a handwork project to make with it but this stubborn charm pack wanted to become a small 9 patch quilt. Who am I to argue?

I used my 1 1/2″ strip die for my studio cutter. I thought I would show you how since I know some of my readers have die cutters too.

First, I paired up charm squares right sides together. I laid them on top of my strip cutter so that three strips were cut from each.

You can see there is very little waste but this does get rid of those pesky pinked edges.

Next, I sewed the strips together, alternating light and dark in each pair.

I always press to the dark side with these. Then I layer the two sets. Since I pressed to the dark fabric in each set, the seams automatically nest.

Now it is time to lay those strip sets back on the die with seams perpendicular to the blades.

Time to sew the 9 patches together! The first seams are really quick because they come off the die ready to feed through the machine.

You get two 9 patches from each pair of charm squares with this method.

Here is a peak at the back to see how I press my seams.

You get 42 blocks from a charm pack with almost no waste and no scraps left over.

This same method could be used with layer cakes and larger strip dies.

Now I still have to come up with a handwork project……

Have a great weekend!