Making half square triangles question
04-02-2014, 04:20 AM
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 181
When I do HST's I add a full inch to the FINISHED size of square that I want (i.e., 3.5" finished HST block gets CUT at 4.5"). I lay the two squares right sides together, draw a diagonal line down the center of the square and sew 1/4" on either side. Cut; press. Yes, I have to trim them down but whether it's my sewing that is not accurate or my initial cutting that is not accurate, I get a very accurate HST with this method. I've never had luck with Thangles and haven't tried the other methods that you mention. I place my 45 degree line on the sewn center line of the HST and trim to the correct size from that measurement. It's a very tedious process to be sure but it's the one that works best for me. But it was a good excuse to buy a rotating cutting mat!
04-02-2014, 06:45 AM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Clay Springs AZ
Posts: 3,229
for 2 1/2 in I use two 6 in sqs. For each size larger add 2 in to sqs. Draw an x and sew down both sides of lines 1/4 in.
Cut in half both ways then on lines. Makes 8 HSTs. Just needs a small trim up. I use Quilt In A Days triangle sq up ruler that only needs one cut. Joanns with coupon.
Cut in half both ways then on lines. Makes 8 HSTs. Just needs a small trim up. I use Quilt In A Days triangle sq up ruler that only needs one cut. Joanns with coupon.
04-02-2014, 06:53 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Woburn, MA
Posts: 711
You should purchase the Triangulation CD. Its wonderful for 1/2 sq triangles and others (flying geese, etc.). Its about $30 but well worth it. You will get paper piecing patterns for triangles in every size and you will have little waste. You definitely need to have a computer and a printer, and like to paper piece. They are fast and absolutely perfect every time. If I were to make them the traditional way, I would make them larger and square them up. I found to have better results that way. I would rather waste a little fabric then have my triangles too small and not so perfect.
04-02-2014, 08:49 AM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ridgefield WA
Posts: 7,765
Here's a method on Craftsy that many of us use - no rulers (except to draw a straight line) or special templates. No leaving bias edges to join to other pieces. I make a little larger and trim down.
http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/01/...are-triangles/
Here's how to get from 2 to eight of the same 2 fabrics:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469759[/ATTACH]
http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/01/...are-triangles/
Here's how to get from 2 to eight of the same 2 fabrics:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469759[/ATTACH]
04-03-2014, 03:33 AM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hernando FL
Posts: 1,662
When I do HST's I add a full inch to the FINISHED size of square that I want (i.e., 3.5" finished HST block gets CUT at 4.5"). I lay the two squares right sides together, draw a diagonal line down the center of the square and sew 1/4" on either side. Cut; press. Yes, I have to trim them down but whether it's my sewing that is not accurate or my initial cutting that is not accurate, I get a very accurate HST with this method. I've never had luck with Thangles and haven't tried the other methods that you mention. I place my 45 degree line on the sewn center line of the HST and trim to the correct size from that measurement. It's a very tedious process to be sure but it's the one that works best for me. But it was a good excuse to buy a rotating cutting mat!
04-03-2014, 04:47 AM
#18
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 94
This process is not a lot of extra work if you want your block EXACT. Consider all of the steps to making a block: Cutting, sewing 1/4 inch (precisely), pressing the block (not ironing, for God's sake!) After all of this, not matter how meticulous you are in your process, sometimes the block is just not spot-on. Maybe the fabric is is not of excellent quality, and it stretches a bit. Maybe your 1/4 inch is off a bit. Maybe your cutting was not exact. By making the pieces larger, when you're done, you can cut the block exactly to size.
Remember: Quilting is a wonderful journey, and each step is as important as the next. When everything comes together at the end, and you have a wonderfully executed finished product, all the painstaking care, (and sometimes seam-ripping anguish) is worth it! Enjoy the journey!
Remember: Quilting is a wonderful journey, and each step is as important as the next. When everything comes together at the end, and you have a wonderfully executed finished product, all the painstaking care, (and sometimes seam-ripping anguish) is worth it! Enjoy the journey!
04-03-2014, 08:20 AM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,369
I love, love Triangulations. It's a software that prints out a paper sheet that will make many, many at a time and they are perfect. No trimming needed. You put your two fabrics, right sides together, lay the printed paper (I use doodle pads, very easy to tear off) on top and pin, then sew. There is also some free online you can use to print out the grid. Most of the basic sizes. Depending on size you can make 24 at a time, but they are the same. I am a scrappy girl so I handled this by organizing a swap for 2" hst, saving 6 for myself I traded the others, making many sets with different fabrics. I have a postage box full of 2" hst after making an Ocean Waves which used 4,000 of them. I am now making 2 1/2" hst for a split nine patch and I am making them with the Easy Angle ruler by Sharon Hulgren. It has that 1/4" built in and works well, but they need to be trimmed. Those that don't make the cut go in the 2" hst box. I try and cut them a bit larger and I'm not losing too many of them. I think Triangulations is the way to go tho.
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