HST blocks
 

Hello group
I need help with half square triangles I know to cut the square the size you need and to draw a line on the material and put the two fabrics together and then sew 1/4 inch on each side but that is where I mess up
how to sew the 1/4 inch on each side of the line I sew crooked some time does any one have a easier method to sewing the 1/4 inch and some times the squares are not the same size and they are crooked I am a new quilter and I don't know if I like HST I have been trying to cut the blocks for the mini carpenter star i really want to do this one but my HST are a mess I cut 3 inch squares and 3 1/2 squares but they are not straight I guess I could cut them down to 2 inch squares and maybe the material was bias cut to
I hope there is a easier way to sew and cut the blocks thanks
I do have a 1/4 inch foot so how do I use that on the lines ?

What I do is cut my squares larger than what I need. I then draw a line down the center of one of the squares and then draw a line 1/4" on each side of the center line and sew on them. After they are sewn and cut apart, I press them open and then I will trim my HST to the size I need.

Try to slow down when sewing. Are you using rotary cutter and rulers or just cutting
with scissors?
I don't use a 1/4 inch foot for sewing HST's. I use my open toe foot so I can see
where I'm going. You draw one line corner to corner and then sew 1/4" away from
that line. It's easier to draw that 1/4" on each side then you know where to sew.
Also, I prefer to cut bigger squares, draw the lines, sew, press then cut the
triangles. Press open then trim to size. Hope this helps.

I too, make my squares larger than the pattern says, draw the line corner to corner, mark a 1/4 inch line on each side of the first line and sew on those lines, then cut on the middle line to make the 2 squares.

lay your ruler 1/4 mark on the point and draw a line turn it around and do the same thing. Then you sew on the line

Or you can use some sort of triangle papers (Triangulations, Triangles on a Roll, Thangles). I found them helpful when I was first piecing and they are very accurate.

I use this method if I just need a few HSTs. Just recently I needed lots of 2.5 inch HSTs so I cut a 2 inch strip of each fabric. Sewed a 1/4 inch seam on both sides making a tube then used my triangle ruler to cut my HSTs. I did need to trim a little to 2.5 inches.

Hi there I am doing HST at the moment on a quilt for my nephew and have read and watched a few videos on them. One video was from Jenny at the Missouri Quilt Company and I though it was a pretty good idea. Make sure your suares are cut the same size and join them together WS facing. Take a 1/4 seam all the way around the outside of the block and then cut diagonally across them and you have two HST. Really easy method I thought. It is on youtube if you are a visual leaner like me. Just wish I had seen this video before I started cutting my out :p Good luck.

I draw a grid on the lighter of the two fabrics I'm using. So, if I needed 8 HST that finish to 2", I would cut a large square of fabric, about 6x6" plus 1/2" all around. Then, I would draw a 6x6 square, then divide that into four squares, each 3x3. I would then draw diagonals on all the squares, making them connect at the midpoints. Then, sew 1/4" on each side of the diagonals. Press the square to set the seams. Then cut out on the original lines and on the diagonals. Then, press open and cut to the correct size. Though there is some fabric waste, there is less than if I had to toss a couple of blocks for being the wrong size.

Laurie

I always use Eleanor Burns methods.
For 2 1/2 in half square triangles use two six inch sqs, add two inchs for each size up.
Draw an x and sew 1/4 in down both sides of lines.
Cut in half both ways then on the lines. This gives you 8 triangles at a time. They will be slightly large so you need to square them up.
The best way is with her triangle square up ruler that you only make one cut to square up.
Also if you have a sewing straight line problem, I use the half inch rulers by Fons and Porter to draw my lines with.