Terri D.

This is an update to my previous post. After some more head scratching, it seems that creating the half right triangle unit by sewing two rectangles together is not doable. I will try to explain...

In the drawing below, the innermost rectangle represents the finished 10" x 16" block. The next rectangle drawn closely to the first represents dimensions of 10-1/2" x 16-1/2", reflecting the inclusion of the 1/4" seam allowance all the way around.

Already you can see that the angle from the finished rectangle to the rectangle with the seam allowances is not a 45-degree angle. The red rectangle represents what the angle would be if you were to take two oversized rectangles, sew, cut, press and trim. Except trimming is impossible because, again, it's not a 45-degree angle that shoots straight into the corner.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]482734[/ATTACH]
When trimming half square triangles, you can align the 45-degree line of your ruler on the sewn line and trim them because that important guideline is available on the ruler to make it accurate. There is no guideline on our rulers for this one.

It seems that your best bet is to cut rectangles, slice them in half on the diagonal then sew the pairs together on the diagonal. You will be sewing on the bias, but if you handle them carefully, you should be able to control the stretch. If you construct your blocks this way, you may have to mark your 1/4" seam allowances to figure out where your match points are because the fabric pieces will need to be offset for sewing in order to yield a finished rectangle.

You can also paper piece but that might be more difficult since the pieces will be so big.

Hope this helps and is not too confusing.

dunster

This article explains the HRT (half rectangle triangle) problem very nicely with several options. http://www.quiltdesignnw.com/PDF/HRT_2x4.pdf

WTxRed

Plan B is in place. Thanls everyone

PlanoDebbie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr_k8L-pbfA

Deb Tucker makes a lot of great quilting ruler tools. I love the one for squaring up HST's and making flying geese. Here's one to make Square Rectangles. I've not tried it yet, but it looks pretty good to me.

bearisgray

Excellent article.

As far as I can determine, the tools mentioned will only work for rectangles that finish to a 1:2 ratio - that is 1x2, 2x4, 4x8, etc. (the angles with that are approximately: 63.43, 90, and 26.56 degrees)

Your 10 x 16 rectangle is certainly doable. I would draw the 10 x 16 rectangle on whatever it will fit on - divide it diagonally - paste the pieces on heavy paper (or template plastic, if one can get it large enough) - and then add 1/4 inch seam allowances to that.

For a right triangle with 10 and 16 inch legs, the angles will be approximately: 32, 90, and 58 degrees.

A 30,60,90 degree ruler will give a ratio of height of 1.73 (square root of 3, to be exact) to 1
A 45, 45, 90 degree ruler will give a ratio of height of 1 to a width of 1
A Tri Rec ruler will give a ratio of height of 2 to a width of 1

ManiacQuilter2

Half SQUARE triangles are just that, they are square. You are getting into the shape of a rectangle. PP would be the best idea especially since they are made from large pieces.

yngldy

These might help:
http://themodernquiltguild.wordpress...apes-tutorial/

http://thebusybeequiltshop.blogspot....-tutorial.html

indigofab

LOL! Sorry but that made me laugh. I remember when I discovered this a few years ago. I just sat there stunned that it hadn't worked.

bearisgray

I think a lot of us tried that - with a kite as a result!

ILoveToQuilt

I'd go with paper piecing personally. But then again, I look at every block pattern to see if I can pp it!