I recently came across the "time-saving" hint for making triangle pairs.

Take two larger (let's say 5") squares, contrasting colors.

Place them right sides together (or as one youtube instructor says: "pretty sides together").

Sew 1/4" all the way around all four sides.

Then cut diagonally from corner to corner twice. Open up to right/pretty sides out. Result: 4 half-triangle squares.

Sounds like a great idea. I just tested it out and found that I spent more time squaring the resulting squares. So I'm not sure I'm saving any time.

Thoughts? Recommendations?

I'm always for time-savers, unless they require more time! ;-)

Thanks.

-- Jillaine

This can be a quick way if you cut and sew accuratly but it also give you bias edges. These can be difficult to deal with. There are other ways to do quick and accurate HST that don't end up with bias edges.

i don't care for this method because it puts the bias edge on the outside giving that area a lot of stretch.

the traditional method doesn't have bias edges

http://www.psiquilt.com/2010/02/half...-tutorial.html

If I have a lot of hst to do, I still prefer to use the Wondercut Ruler.

Looks like the wondercut ruler ends up with bias outsides as well. Okay, just tried the HST tutorial and it works; she doesn't make it clear about the initial size of the squares though. I have to make sure that part is correct.

(I still wish there was a faster way... i have a lot to make...) ;-)

Thanks!

Although I don't have the Wonder Cut Ruler I do use the wonder cut ruler method from time to time just depending on my mood. I also use the method posted in the link above.

I haven't tried the four at a time method however a tip is to use a TON of starch prior to cutting your fabric. spray press, spray press, and even if you so choose you can spray and press again or you could just do like I do and spray them till they are soaked let them dry till damp and then press! This will help a TON when working with bias edges!

If your talking about the HST tutorial where you use two sqaures to make two triangles and you draw a line down the center and then sew on either side of it. You add 7/8 of an inch to your FINISHED size of your HST. So if you want a 5 inch HST cut your squares 5 7/8" or 6 inch squares and trim. 4 inch finished HST 4 7/8" or 5" and trim the extra 1/8 inch off when done!

Even with the Wondercut ruler the bias is cut before you sew. For me it's slower than the method jillaine describes, with the same results. I like the method where you put two squares together and sew 1/4" in each side of the diagonal because your bias edge is stable before it's cut. It's better to use a walking foot to be sure the sewing process does not stretch the bias. However, if you use enough starch before you cut by any method, it helps stabilize the fabric.

I also don't like doing them this way, but here's a quicker method than doing them individually. I hope this helps. I also starch liberally.

http://www.blockcentral.com/hst/hst-2inch.pdf This is my favorite.