? about half square triangles
 

I am scratching my head over hand sewing a simple triangle from a square. I understand the steps but my problem is the points are always to close to the edge. Shouldn't they be 1/4" away or a little more? Mine are so close that it is impossible joining the next block without cutting off the tip. It's driving me buggy.
Maybe I should read more on the oversized triangles but I get so frustrated my brain shuts off.
Thank you for all your help and suggestions.

I know that the general rule is to cut your squares 7/8" of an inch larger than than the desired size. I always cut mine 1" larger and trim them down. Extra work? Yes! But I never lose a point that way! For trimming down, I went to a local glass shop and had squares of plexiglass cut for the size of my blocks - 4 1/2", 5 1/2", 6 1/2", etc. couple of bucks each. I measure them before I leave the shop to make sure they are square and the right dimensions. When I get home. I draw a diagonal line on one side. I then cover that side with Invisigrip to prevent the diagonal line from being rubbed off and prevents the square from shifting on my blocks. I lay the diagonal line on the ruler on the seam of the HST. I then trim them. It keeps my seam in the center and I'm not trimming a lot off each side of my block. I also use a rotating mat. Makes easy work of it but it can be tedious, depending on how many HST are in your project. The extra work is worth it to me if it means perfect points everytime!

I am making 2 triangles from a square to make a new square.

I just can't wrap my head around making an oversized square and cutting it down. Wouldn't I cut the points off ?

You're probably trying to over-think them. I know I tend to do that. After you've sewn your triangles together and pressed them open, sew them to the next piece. Is this where you are losing your point? It's OK. The next seam will meet the seam you just sewed and a new perfect (or nearly) point will be formed.

it on paper first. Then you will be able to 'wrap your head around it' better. It might even help if you use 2 different colored papers for this.

Yes...this is where I'm losing the point. Thank you...I know I'm over thinking it as I go to sleep trying to figure it out...roflmbo

Great idea...and you know it's something I would not have thought of. Something so simple but yet I wouldn't have come up with the idea. Thank you very much.

If you are making half square triangles (HST), then the seam goes right to the corner. When you trim them down, you put the 45 degree line of your ruler right on the seam, so you preserve the point.
Here is one of many you tube videos that shows making HSTs a bit larger, then trimming;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQq-5p8RCS8

I always make my half square triangles by making the two squares of fabric that I'm using 1" larger than my finished square will be and then trim it down. This method you draw a line from corner to corner and sew 1/4" on either side of the line and then cut on the line. When you open up these two pieces you have two half square triangle squares that need to be trimmed to the right size. Usually it's just shaving a bit off each edge. There are two ways I trim. One is to open the square up and press it. Then I use a square up ruler and put the 45 degree line on the seam line and the measurement line of how big the finished square will be near the edge and trim accordingly. Quilt in a Day also has a ruler to trim half square triangles. With this ruler you don't press your square open first but rather put the ruler marking along the seam line and trim the two raw edges. With this ruler you are only making two cuts instead of 4 with a square up ruler and it is easier to understand the markings. It is a square ruler with many different size triangle markings. A good investment.

Thank you Everyone,
I now know what I was doing wrong...I wasn't using the 45 degree line on the seam line but just cutting around the 4 sides to even them up. I am such a dodo bird at times.

If you are hand sewing you won't want to be trimming because you will cut the seam.....

Just saw saw a demonstration on a half square ruler yesterday. Patti Nethery makes rulerrevolution.com makes accurate product in several sizes with multiples at one time. Expensive but not paper piecing and accurate.

he current quilt that I am making required 136 HST- UGH!!!!! But the direction said to make them by placing 2 4" squares together and sewing 1/4" around the entire edge and cut each way on the diaginol. i had never tried this way but it actuall worked out great!!! I got 4 really good 2 1/2" HST from each square. This was much easier that marking and sewing 2 lines on each square especially when doing so many HST I am sure that there is a chart or formula to determine how big to make the squares for a certain finished size of HST .

Okay, it's not even 6am and I've learned enough to call it quits for the day!

auntpiggylpn: What a great idea! I'm looking for a glass shop and making use of (stealing) your idea.

bigsister63: Another great idea. I had not heard this one before and I will definitely be trying in. By the way - 136 HST? Are you a glutton for punishment or what?!

Just a reminder to those using this method of making HST, make sure you PRESS and not IRON them because after you cut them you will have all bias edges, and they will stretch.

I always size my triangle squares large then use a master template or square ruler to "true up" them. For intricate blocks like my fave maple leaf block, I use the acrylic templates that Marti Mechelle sells, no guessing about seam lines and how to place the pieces together. Just say'n.

Yes, it is VERY IMPORTANT to put the seam on the diagonal line. If you don't you WILL lose your points.

Bigsister63, that is great. I don't have too much trouble making my points work out in my quilt pattern; it is just that I don't get anal about points meeting in the final analysis, because your quilting will cover (or hide it, as the case may be) in the long run--especially if you have a LA quilter who is as good as my son.....

This "sew all around the square" sounds wonderful--I have always just squared up mine after I pressed them, and then putting them into my quilt, didn't have too much problem making them work out right. But sometimes I did have a l/8" variation--and that's acceptable in most cases. I haven't put any of my work into a judged quilt yet.

I found that out the hard way! I love all the tips and advice given here.

This is my preferred method, too.

I've also found that when the square is "N"+7/8th inches, the quarter square triangles are more uniform in size than if the square is an even number.

Missouri Quilts has a YouTube video showing how to make 1/2 sq. triangles. Jenny sews around 2 sqs. She then cuts on the diagonal to make 4 1/2 square triangles. Hope this helps.

Mamahen you are right! I did learn this the hard way. I had not used this method before since I had heard that it was not always true HST but since I had to make so many of them I diid try it. I also marked each diaginal be for cutting square apart to make it easier to be sure I cut on the diaginal. If I am only making a few HST then I will probably make the the old fashion way

If you have problems with half square triangles, invest in the CD called Triangulations. It's about $30 and well worth the investment. You can make hst and flying geese any size you want. You need a printer but you can just print out the size you want, sew and cut on the lines and they come out perfect every time.