I'm curious as to what you prefer for making HST's? I've seen eleanor's ruler and the one buy June Tailor. I lean a tad toward the June Tailor one but there are a lot of steps involved with that one. IS there a faster/easier way to make these?

If I have to make a ton of them I use the Wondercut Ruler.

ditto!!

if not I just cut large, make a chalk line ( or press) down the center, stitch on either side and cut in half!

I bought Print & Sew Triangle Magic from http://www.QuiltPro.com for $19.95. It lets you print sheets of hst's from 1" to 7". You lay your fabric on the sheet of paper sew on the red line and cut on the black line. Easy as pie.

I bought Triangluation 3.0..but have not used it..similar to the quiltpro version but it is a stand alone program!

Print and Sew is a standalone version also. I got that because I didn't know about Triangulation but I think they are very similar :-)

Triangulations 3.0 is the bomb!!!

Please explain the difference, or at least what it does...I may have to buy it...

This is interesting! I have not heard of either!

I just looked it up and found it for $22.36 at Connecting Threads... seems like a must have!

http://www.connectingthreads.com/Too...M__D90174.HTML

I use the Jenny Doan method of two different colour squares on top of each other, right sides together. Sew a 1/4" seam all around the outside 4 edges. Then cut them across corner to corner in a large X. Voila = 4 HST's

I looked it up too and ordered it. Print and Sew doesn't do Flying Geese. All your fault Candace--making me spend money! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Of all the things I have tried so far, my favorite is HSTs cut with the Accuquilt Go!

My second favorite method is Thangles. It may possibly be even more accurate than the Go!, but I don't care much for removing the paper (although makes a decent mindless task while watching tv).

Edit: I can see where the Triangulations software would be very similar to using Thangles. Will have to put that software on my wishlist.......

OOooopss, sorry for spending all your money:>

This method has the straight of grain on the seam - the four edges are bias.

Two squares with diagonal line & sewn seams 1/4" on either side has straight of grain on the edges.

I like Thangles. But, my favorite is my Wonder Cut Ruler...so much you can do with it. http://www.connectingthreads.com/Too...r__D81315.HTML

Okay, why a ruler, outside of cutting the squares a certain size and drawing a straight line?

If I am making a quilt that is all hst, like the Lone Star I made I use my Wondercut ruler because it is so fast. I can make all of the hst's in a couple of hours. If I cut squares, draw the line, sew on both sides--it would take a lot longer than I can do it with my ruler.

I've always used the thangles, but now that the Wondercut ruler was mentioned, I'll have to check into that. Always good information on here.

I was completely shocked at this method when I first saw it but I love it!!!

For HST's 2-1/2 " finished and smaller, I print these papers:

http://www.quiltingandwhatnot.ca/Hal...-Triangle.html

For larger HST's, I use the 2 square, diagonal line method.

I also like the Thangles...but don't love tearing off the papers...and a lot of the time just cut out the fabric squares and draw a diagonal line and sew a scant 1/4" from each side and then cut apart. Just need to be careful with pressing.

I tried all sorts of methods and this one is by far the easiest and most accurate. It's incredibly fast, too.

I like this chart for the measurements:
http://www.moonlightquilters.org/tipHSTfav.htm

I tried all sorts of methods and this one is by far the easiest and most accurate. It's incredibly fast, too.

I like this chart for the measurements:
http://www.moonlightquilters.org/tipHSTfav.htm

I love the Cozy Quilt ruler and Strip Tube method of making HST. They go fast and I don't feel there's quite as much waste.

Yep thats the one for me!

I prefer Triangles on a Roll.

There's a free site for 1", 2", 3" and 4" HSQ. It is http://www.blockcentral.com/a-halfsq...glepaper.shtml

I use Thangles, but I only make 20 at a time. I also purchased the Triangulations software, but I haven't started the BOM quilt that I intended to use it for. Looks like a really great system for me.

Oh Thank YOU to everyone! I have enjoyed reading about all the different methods here. I was captivated by the Carpenter Wheel that was posted and want to try that for possibly quick christmas table-toppers for gifts. It is almost all half-squares and I never enjoyed making them the traditional way. I think I'll go with the Wonder Cut ruler. I have watched online tutes/videos and it does look fast and easy. I checked to see if JoAnn's carries this ruler, but they do not so I will have to order it online.

http://www.quiltingandwhatnot.ca/Hal...-Triangle.html


this site has HST papers that you can print out for FREE and the have lots of helpful tips and various sizes to choose from.

I sew two strips right sides together by running a quarter of an inch on both sides and then I cut triangles,alternating the sides so that there is no waste. Then I open the pointy part of the triangle and my HSTs are done.

I read about the Wonder Cut ruler and looked it up. Then I recognized it! I have one and have never used it. I looked up the instructions and am amazed. I'm going to use it now!!

I wonder what other rulers are in the bin. I'll have to go through them and see what else is there.

I have the June Tailor and love it. I cut my squares a little bigger and trim them down.

Tia, do you like it better than the wonder-cut and have you used both? I think the June Tailor ruler is available at joann's and the other one has to be ordered. It's good to know so many members here do cut their squares a little larger and trim to size. I can definitely see the wisdom in doing that...i have never made one in the traditional way that wasn't wonky after pressing, even when certain they are cut perfectly and sewn perfectly--you trim the little corners and the square nearly always requires add'l trimming which decreases the finished size in the end.

I can second this. I almost lost my mind until I read about and purchased "Triangulations". Now I look for things with HST to do, it is no longer an impossible chore, it is FUN.

I don't like paper, so I just draw out a grid of squares and sew up a whole bunch at one. Here's the directions:
http://www.kathkwilts.com/lessons/halfsqr.html

They make up fast and perfect.

I also find this is the easiest way to make HST's too.

I actually have Thangles in every size they make, I love them

I prefer to use Tiger Tape for HST's, but sometimes, if the initial square is big, I draw a diagonal line using a ruler and pencil and then sew 1/4" away on both sides.

There is an illustration here:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-136381-1.htm#4291084
on how to cut your squares before sewing so that the finished edges of the triangles will be on the straight of the grain rather than the bias. Ann in TN