Working with the Corner Pop 2 Tool

Hi Friends!  This week I’m playing with the Corner Pop 2 tool.  If you didn’t know, Studio 180 Design has three Corner Pop tools, the original Corner Pop, Corner Pop 2, and Corner Pop 3.

The original Corner Pop tool replaces the traditional Folder Corner method used to make Snowball Blocks and the like.  The Folded Corner method uses squares placed in the corners of a block, which are sewn diagonally, then folded back at a 45-degree angle to create a triangle in the corner.  Then the excess fabric on the back is trimmed.  The traditional method works well *if* that square is perfectly straight when you sew the seam.  Unfortunately, it also wastes a lot of fabric.

The original Corner Pop tool creates perfect triangles in the corners without all the waste.  The corner of the block is trimmed, and an oversized triangle replaces the corner, and then is trimmed to the perfect size.

The original Corner Pop tool adds a 45-degree triangle to the corners.  But what if you could add a tall, skinny triangle just as easily? Here’s where the Corner Pop 2 comes in.

Popping the corners with long, skinny triangles makes for a much more interesting block.

I decided to make a section of the Tumbleweeds pattern to practice with my Corner Pop 2.  To do this, I’ll build a block similar to a log cabin, but popping the corners as I go.

I start with four squares, trimming off one corner using the CP2 tool.  Notice that I follow the line that’s marked “Cut Away Corner.”

From four different strips of fabric, I then cut the replacement triangles, using the “Replacement Triangle Cut Line” on the tool.  Half of the triangles will be cut with the fabric right side up, and half will be cut with the fabric wrong side up.  This will create triangles in different orientations.  (This will make sense later.)  I turn the tool as I make the alternating cuts along the strip.

I add the Replacement Triangle to the trimmed Square.  Remember, the triangle is oversized, so it needs to be trimmed to the proper size.  Then I add logs to two sides, trim off a corner, and add another triangle.

Sometimes I get so involved in the sewing and trimming that I forget to take pictures.  Duh!  So I’ll take it step-by-step from here.

Trim the corner where the logs were added to make it square, then cut off a triangle in the corner of the logs.

Add the Replacement Triangle and trim to the proper size.  Depending on the orientation of the triangle, you may trim from the right side of the block or the wrong side of the block.  Following the angle of the appropriate trim line will help you to figure out which cuts are from the right side and which are from the wrong side.

Add the next two logs, square the corner, cut off a triangle in the corner, add another Replacement Triangle, and trim.  Again, cutting the triangle off the corner may be from the right side of the block or the wrong side of the block, depending on the orientation of the triangle.

At this point, the block is complete, and the other two sides of the block are trimmed to make it square.

I made four blocks to create a small wallhanging or table topper.

What a cool design!  Imagine all the wasted fabric if I tried to make this with folded rectangles.  There’s a lot of trimming and squaring, but the results are worth it.

Next time, I’m moving on to the Corner Pop 3 tool, popping corners at a different angle.  See you then!