I'm getting ready to do a quilt with half square triangles. I like the method where I sew a square twice, cut, press, and have 2 triangles. My cuts are going to be 5 7/8", finishing at 5"

What I've seen suggested is to cut 6" rather than 5 7/8" and then trim down. What I'm wondering is assuming I do that, when I go to trim them, can I just line up the center on my 45 deg line and cut from there? (I would be exposing top and side of the block, and cutting both at once). Do I need to worry about bottom and other side?

I did something else where I needed to line up the center point at the middle of the ruler size, and carefully cut to keep it even and I had to rotate it a few times. I *think* that for a half square triangle, as long as I'm on the 45 deg line, it shouldn't matter, and I shouldn't need to worry about getting the center exactly centered on the ruler to trim, but I'm just not sure....

I never seem to be able to get my HSTs to come out perfect, so I always make them just the bit larger and trim to size. For me, I'm just so much happier with the product it is well worth the time it takes.

Once you have the HSTs, you press open then just line up on the diagonal and trim. The first time trim as little as possible, rotate the block and make sure it is lined up on your 5 inch mark, then trim to size. I put painters tape on my ruler where I need to line up, just makes it a bit easier for me.

It seems to work for me by using the diagonal line. If I have a square the right size, I like to use it but if not a regular ruler will work, too.

I always trim using the center "cross hair" seams as my quide. I know that if I want a 5 inch FINISHED square I have to trim it to 5 1/2 so from <b>center</b> to one side is going to be 2 3/4inches so I line the center vert. and horiz. lines up with 2 3/4 and then trim two sides (top and side). turn and do the same thing for the other two sides and I end up with a 5 1/2 inch square.

I have always squared mine up just like Grammy P--line up the diagonal, trim two sides, rotate, trim the other two sides.

I just bought Eleanor Burn's ruler for squaring up HST and am anxious to use it. Before you press your block open, you line up the seam and trim. Then when you press the block open it is trimmed and the correct size.

This is what it looks like-- http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponlin...p?i=1087&page=

I have been using El Burns triangle square up ruler for a long time. It is the best investment I ever made. Got it at Joanns with a coupon.
You only make one cut to square up any size up to 6 1/2 inches. Place the ruler on the stitch line before opening and line up with one edge and cut the other. Perfect HST every time.
I also use her method for making 8 HSTs at a time and whip them out very fast.

HAHA, maybe thats why I do it the hard way because I don't have that handy dandy square it up ruler. I might just have to invest in one.

I just got the Elanor Burns Square up ruler. I have a problem knowing what size to square the triangle to to get the right sized block, but I will continue to work on that. How does she make 8 at once? I have normally stayed away from HST because I never like the results, but would love any suggestions.

I really like E. B.square up ruler. I can make 8 at a time,if needed, very easily.
It is the ony way I seem to be able to get good results.I used to get very upset when I tried to make hsts and they were uneven or not the right size.

I was being "brain dead" in a workshop and the instructor gave me a tip. Since I am right-handed, I needed to put the 1/2 square triangle on the cutting board with the diagonal oriented from the lower left to upper right. Then my ruler lined up correctly. Duh!!!