I'm working on a new quilt that calls for half square triangles that are 2" before sewing together. Each of these started out at 2". The middle of the quilt called for 12 squares across by 15 squares down. I sewed them 12 to a row and then started sewing rows together. It's not too badly off, but doesn't lay completely flat. Should I have sewn them in squares, say 3 down by 4 across and then together, rather than having a long row of 12? Would that have helped keep them more square? Thanks for any advice.

Did you square up each of your HST units before sewing them to the other HST units?

It's a bit more work to do that, but for many of us, it makes the rest of the project go better.

I've had good success assembling things like that in strips or "blocks" - it kind of depends on what the pattern is.

[quote=bearisgray]Did you square up each of your HST units before sewing them to the other HST units?

Yes eash unit was 2"square. I think I ironed rather than pressed as some have mentioned. I will try the starch and steam method now.

I usually don't sew sections into long strips. I feel like I have better control if I sew sections into smaller squares, then sew those squares together, etc. My attention wanders when I sew long seams!

Yes, sewing into squares and then sewing them togther probably would have helped. Easier to sew into units and then sew units together rather than long strips.

I usually sew all the blocks in a row together, then one row to the next. I haven't had any problems that way, and it's easier to keep track of what goes where.

I would suggest taking some of the row apart and make seams just a bit bigger than 1/4 inch. You don't have to do all of them.

I acknowledge those of you who trim every HST, but I would quit quilting before going through that level of perfectionism. Sucks the joy out of quilting for me. Fudging here and there works just fine and I'm not entering any contests either.

Stephanie