Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
I hated Thangles for pretty much all the reasons you stated. I don't think any other method of paper piecing HST is going to be much of an improvement.
The biggest advantage of Thangles over the square methods is you use the same size strips as you use for the rest of your project. The only other method I know of to make HST from rectangles is Sally Schneider's Gizmo. She's not taking orders until September though.
Have you ever considered the Wonder Cut Ruler (
http://www.wondercutruler.com/ ) ? You can make tons of HSTs and QSTs with no measuring, and no pinning which many don't like about Thangles and other paper methods. I can make a few dozen HSTs in about 5 minutes with this ruler. You just need to use a little care (or a LOT of starch like me...LOL) when handling them due to bias edges. The biggest advantage of Thangles that makes removing papers, etc., worthwhile is the fact that the outside edges on on the straight-of-grain.
I am glad there are so many different methods out there; we can all find one we're comfortable with.