Large HSTs, best way?
02-09-2017, 02:27 AM
#12
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: FL
Posts: 7,084
One of my favorite quilts is a large chevron pattern that I made with layer cake squares. I assembled it using the method of drawing a diagonal line and sewing 1/4" from either side and cutting down the middle. For larger squares, I trim using a 12-1/2" ruler, lining up the diagonal line on the seam. For smaller ones, I have a Quilt in a Day Triangle Square Up ruler. With this ruler, you leave it folded, line up the seam and trim 2 sides before pressing it open. It is quicker and less stress on my hand by doing half of the cuts. I frequently make half square triangles, so it was a worthwhile investment for me. The 12-1/2" ruler is very practical to have also. Shop around. I've gotten rulers at very reasonable prices on ebay, as well as some online quilt shops.
02-09-2017, 05:16 AM
#13
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,018
I paper piece my HST. Draw a square 1 inch larger then you want the finished HST. Draw a diagonal line. Draw a line 1/4" to each side of the diagonal line. These are your sewing lines. Place 2 fabrics with right sides together and sew on the 1/4" lines. Cut apart on the diagonal line. Press HST open (I press to the dark side). Trim to desired size (will be very close - you might only have to trim the dog ears). You now have made 2 HSTs.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
you might consider purchasing something to help you other than just the one ruler you now have. EBurns templates are good.....
Last edited by Geri B; 02-09-2017 at 05:18 AM.
02-09-2017, 06:47 AM
#15
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Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 608
I love this board, everyone is being so helpful, thank you so much!! I'm going to grab a 12.5 x 12.5 ruler if I can get to my LQS today, try some of these methods with scraps before I start with my nice fabric. Everyone is so nice, I mentioned my plans to someone local and they started to tell me that it wasn't possible and to make another pattern. Don't see why you couldn't make large HSTs 
02-09-2017, 10:44 AM
#17
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 838
I think if you do huge HSTs, you don't have to worry as much about squaring them up. If I was making a quilt this way, I would probably use 14" squares (so that I could cut 3 from the width of fabric with little waste), then make them the way Jan described. I wouldn't bother with squaring up, though; on a 3" HST, being 1/8" off is a big deal. On a 14" HST, you can ease in that difference.
Do your big blocks, and have fun with it!
Edit: I agree, though: starch them first to minimize stretching.
02-09-2017, 11:58 AM
#18
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 4,695
I made a quilt with 10" finished HST's -- I used the 12.5" ruler to cut 11.5" blocks and trimmed (you get 2 blocks cut by most WOF, though I did go down to 11" cut on a couple of narrower fabric ad used a bit of the selvage). The beauty of 10" finished blocks is the arithmetic is easy (twin size 60x80 = 6x8=48 blocks, then add the borders). It was a lot of fun...
02-09-2017, 06:25 PM
#19
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Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 608
Wow I love that star quilt Jeni made in her blog Jennifer23! I read tons of blogs but I'd never seen hers, thanks for pointing me there! Everyone here is so helpful, thank you again, I'll do some experimenting with scraps and muslin and I'll post the finished quilt in the show-off threads, this is the best most relaxing hobby 
02-10-2017, 03:32 AM
#20
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,433
When making big HSTs, I hate drawing lines, so I simply cut the large square, then cut diagonally and sew, even though it's on the bias. If you use Best Press, sizing or starch, you should have no problem with the bias stretching. Then I square up with a ruler (I have 10.5" and 6.5" ones but a 12.5" one is on my wish list).
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