Juliebelle

I am making a whole bunch of half square triangles and need to know if I should cut off the little tails or leave them on. Don't want to ruin them so wise to ask before cutting thanks

Quilter7x

Are the little tails about a 1/4" long? If that's what you mean, they often called dog ears and yes you should cut them off.

Juliebelle

thanks so much for the fast reply and yes you are right they are the dog ears not tails brain is not working well today.

Maggiesmom

Yes, you want to cut them off so you get nice flat seams.

amma

The only time I leave them on is when strip piecing OBW's, the little ears come in handy lining up the pieces :D:D:D

hoppyfrog

I always cut my squares a bit larger than called for. Then sew together, cut and press then I square them up by cutting all four sides which also removes the dog ears. I like my squares to be perfectly square and this is the only way that ever happens.

Jingle

I have made lots of HSTs and I always trim the dog ears off, am making a quilt now that has about 400 of them, I save the little triangles I trim off and am planning to make a quilt with them.

np3

Great idea. I'm going to try that.