Grandma of 6

I'm working on a pattern that requires HSTs. It's not my thing! I'm not ending up with the 5" square I should be which probably means that my 1/4" seams are not always accurate.

I remember watching a video one time where someone showed a tool that you laid from diagonal to diagonal. It had a slit down the center where you could draw the center line and then you could draw lines on either side of the ruler for your stitching lines.

Does anyone know the name of the tool and where I could find it?

Thanks so much for helping.

Diane

gabeway

Don't remember name but Fons & Porter have something like that.

QuiltnNan

i have one of those and used it for quite some time. even with that, i still sometimes don't get accurate hst's. i have found that the best way is to cut the squares oversized, just draw a diagonal, and sew 1/4" on each side of that line. then i use my square up ruler to 'fix' the hst's. they look great after that. it's really worth the time.

EllieGirl

I just looked it up. Connecting Threads has one, but JoAnns has one too.

PaperPrincess

I got a BlocLoc HST ruler at the Grand Rapids quilt show last summer, and it is WONDERFUL. I cut a square of fabric about 1" larger than the finished size of my HST. I draw a line along the diagonal, then sew a very scant 1/4" on each side. Cut on the line, then square up using the ruler. I tried all kinds of other square up rulers and techniques and this is the thing that really works for me. With the other methods, I'd wind up with a square the right size, but could not get the center seam to consistenly wind up smack on the corners. I just did a small quilt, 64 HST, ALL my points matched without even trying!

They come in lots of sizes, but you really just need the 6" one. There are videos on the site.

http://www.blocloc.com/blocloc.htm

dcamarote

Wish I could help you out but don't know the name of it. I have a very hard time with triangles but get better each time I do them. If you find out the name, please post it. Thanks.

quilter2090

Have you ever considered the Wonder Ruler? You take 2 strips of fabric, sew them together, then use the ruler to cut the desired size HST. It is quick and easy!

mighty

There are quite a few out there that are really good. The ones mentioned are great! There is also one by June Taylor, and one by Block lock!!!!

BellaBoo

I get so tired of making over sized pieces to have to trim down later. I found the Strip Ruler does the best job for me to make HSTs. You don't have to use this ruler but it takes the math out of it. http://www.cozyquilt.com/Aspx/Produc...?productID=517

I use my Go dies for most of the HSTs but the dies don't come in all sizes I need.

auntpiggylpn

Same for me! I prefer to cut larger then cut them down to correct size. You can still use the tool thingy but usually I just use my regular ruler to draw the line down the center then sew 1/4" on each side of it.

It is more work to cut them down but the perfect seams and perfect HST blocks is completely worth it!