When I found out that Wendy Mathson’s new Quilters’ TRIMplates® not only make it easy to sew Storm at Sea Blocks, but also claim to help you do it with perfect accuracy, I had to get more information. I wouldn’t call myself a pessimist, but sometimes, if it sounds too good to be true…well, you know how it ends. So, I put on my reporter hat and went to work. I will now disclose my findings, but in case you feel like skipping the details, my scientific evidence concludes that YES, Quilters’ TRIMplates® really do allow you to create perfect, gorgeous, Storm at Sea Quilts.

First things first, visual evidence. Check it out. This is Wendy Mathson demonstrating how to use fast2cut® Quilters’ TRIMplates to sew a Storm at Sea block.

OK, that was pretty good evidence, but I still wanted to dig deeper. I got a hold of some of Wendy’s students that had actually used the TRIMplates® and completed Storm at Sea Quilts. Here what they had to say about the experience:

I’ve tried lots of methods for cutting and piecing Storm at Sea blocks. They include cutting shapes for piecing, cutting using acrylic templates, and even paper piecing. All of these methods were tedious, very time consuming, and really weren’t that accurate. Wendy’s TRIMplate method is a real winner! Trimming for accuracy is her secret. -Collette McManus

Wendy’s TRIMplates are not only an accurate way to cut but are fun to use. It is exciting to put the TRIMplate on the piece, square it up, see that it looks great and I know it is the right size. TRIMplates are some of my favorite quilting tools. -Peggy Dunn

Using Wendy’s TRIMplates was very easy and made the blocks so very accurate. I never had such an easy time putting the whole quilt together with the blocks matching perfectly. -Pat Wolfe

Pretty impressive stuff from people who have actually had success with the TRIMplates®. Now, let’s get the behind the scenes story from Wendy herself…

Wendy, How did you come up with the idea for TRIMplates?

I experimented with several different ideas before the concept for the final design literally popped into my head while I was in the shower. I don’t know if that’s something you want to tell the world, however! My joy is sharing my love for quilting in the classroom. It lifts my spirits to be able to show my students how to do something better, faster or easier and watch them as they get excited as well. So, I guess that’s how the TRIMplate piecing method has affected me.

I even found a fan of Wendy’s TRIMplates® technique who made a Storm at Sea jacket. San Diego based Lisa is the quilter behind the blog quilts2wear. She calls this jacket Red Sky at Night.

Well, I’m sold and can’t wait to try the TRIMplates® out. What about you? Have you tried this method for accurate and beautiful Storm at Sea Quilts? Share your thoughts, experiences and projects with us. Happy Quilting!