Hst
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Winchester, VA
Posts: 1,552
If you prefer cutting first and then sewing, I'd suggest the Easy Angle Ruler: http://www.amazon.com/Quilting-Angle.../dp/B005KC3L4U
You can find it just about anywhere and it's really helpful. Using the ruler, you won't need to add 7/8" to get the proper finished size. It's designed to cut triangles from strips. If you have 2 1/2" strips, you'll be able to get 2 inch finished triangles. One end of the triangle is blunt when you cut them, and you'll be able to feed that end into your sewing machine using your 1/4" foot. It avoids having to start sewing on a point.
Here's a video on this method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKrTj-d5ryI
You can find it just about anywhere and it's really helpful. Using the ruler, you won't need to add 7/8" to get the proper finished size. It's designed to cut triangles from strips. If you have 2 1/2" strips, you'll be able to get 2 inch finished triangles. One end of the triangle is blunt when you cut them, and you'll be able to feed that end into your sewing machine using your 1/4" foot. It avoids having to start sewing on a point.
Here's a video on this method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKrTj-d5ryI
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Posts: 857
When making scrap quilt units, I make my HST using pre-cut patches placed right sides together. Then I take a long emery board to use a straight edge diagonally corner to corner. Fabric is stabilized while drawing line. Sew .25 inch each side of line, cut on drawn line, trim to size. I do six or more at a time using chain stitching technique. Down one side of each, turn, down the other side, slash on drawn line. Ready to press and trim as needed. Almost instant gratification as pile of blocks pile up!
#23
When you are making HST using the method of drawing a line and stitching and then cutting and trimming you have to be careful at two steps. Remember when you are drawing your line from corner to corner you are running along the bias grain of the fabric which is stretchy. Use a light touch when making your line. I like a fixon pen here because I don't have to press very hard to make the line therefore minimizing the tugging on the fabric.
The second place you have to be careful about is when you stitch 1/4" from that line. Here again you are stitching on the bias. Don't tug on your fabric or pull it through the machine. Let your machine gently move it along to minimize stretching. I stitch a skinny 1/4" away and I sew one direction going one way and the other direction going the other way.
If you are using the method of adding 1" to your square square beyond the finished size of your HST you won't have much to trim off when you square it up. If you are generous in your 1/4" stitching you may not have enough to trim. If this is the case then make your initial squares larger. You'll have more to trim. It doesn't make much difference how much larger your squares are beyond the 1" as long as when you trim you have the marking on the ruler going along the seam line. I use the Quilt in a Day where you only trim two sides then open it up and the square ruler where you trim four sides after you open it up. It just depends on which ruler I find first or remember I have. Both methods work great for me. My avatar quilt is almost entirely made up of HST.
The second place you have to be careful about is when you stitch 1/4" from that line. Here again you are stitching on the bias. Don't tug on your fabric or pull it through the machine. Let your machine gently move it along to minimize stretching. I stitch a skinny 1/4" away and I sew one direction going one way and the other direction going the other way.
If you are using the method of adding 1" to your square square beyond the finished size of your HST you won't have much to trim off when you square it up. If you are generous in your 1/4" stitching you may not have enough to trim. If this is the case then make your initial squares larger. You'll have more to trim. It doesn't make much difference how much larger your squares are beyond the 1" as long as when you trim you have the marking on the ruler going along the seam line. I use the Quilt in a Day where you only trim two sides then open it up and the square ruler where you trim four sides after you open it up. It just depends on which ruler I find first or remember I have. Both methods work great for me. My avatar quilt is almost entirely made up of HST.
#24
HST made super easyn by just sewing 2 strips together and cutting, now bias cutting, use the wonder cut ruler see demo this ruler has more that paid for itself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyKMiTCYWjM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyKMiTCYWjM
#26
I made a quilt for a wedding a few weeks ago using this method. It was very quick, but I don't like having the sides of my blocks on the bias. In the end, the quilt looked fine. I prefer using the Magic 8 method to make my HST's. I've learned that I prefer to make them slightly over-sized, then trim down to the exact size needed. Takes more time, but I'm happier with the final product.
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