Ok, I'm new to this quilty thing, and recently made some pinwheel blocks using the Missouri Quilt method (sew 2 squares together on all four sides, then cut on the diagonal to make four squares).

It was just pointed out in another post that this method results in lots of bias edges, which I know can be trouble.

So, my question is, what is the easiest, most sure-proof way of making HST without bias edges?

I would rather use a special ruler than a paper method (Thangles or whatever).

Hope I'm not opening a can of worms here. :wink:

Cut two squares and put them right sides together.
Draw diagonal between the two corners.
Stitch 1/4" on each side of the line.
Cut down the pencil line.

Voila!! Two HSTs, no bias edges!!!!

I always make mine a little larger and then trip to size using the sewn seam to square up with. That way they are precise .... and give me the accuracy when joining them into blocks!!



If you need multiples ..... just draw the required number of squares on a larger piece of fabric. Add the diagonals. Stitch and then cut on the grid lines as well as the diagonals. Then square and trim.

Easy peasy for a multitude of HSTs in no time!

The first way is my favorite method also. The second way takes me longer to draw the grid lines, sew and trim than doing it the first way.

I am doing this now and find the two squares, line down the middle etc the easiest way. My finished size of the block is 3.5" so I got the 3.5" Omnigrid ruler and recut.
I started with a 4" sqwuare and while it worked to recut, I then started doing 4 1/4" squares ad it was easier with a bit more fabric to trim. I also found in the piece I am doing that my accuracy is better to press all seams open. At first I presed the HST to the side ad it gave too much bulk at the ends so then started pressing open and much less stress. In the block I have 12 HST and 4 plain squares and time is important and ease of assuring accuracy.

Totally agree.

The traditional formula is:

FINISHED of HST block + 7/8" = Size of starting squares.

I don't bother with eighths of an inch. :mrgreen:

Just add at least 1" (I usually add 1.25"-ish) to the FINISHED size, use the method as described by QuiltE, and you'll be golden.

I agree with QuiltE and MTS.. and another benefit is you can chain stitch those and stitch up a ton at once.. and boy is it fast!! You actually are stitching on a diagonal .. but the distortion isn't there.. as long as you don't pull the fabric through.. just let the feed dogs do their job.

Check into El Burns method, much easier and very fast.
http://quiltinaday.com
Always perfect HST.

When I sew and cut squares on the diagonal, I always have to trim each and every HST. And invariably, some aren't big enough to trim.

I'm using the scantest 1/4" I can possibly manage - which is actually 3/16". HST's have been my nemesis from the start.

I use the Triangulations CD - print out the finished size of HST or QST that I want, starch two fabrics facing, pin to the light side of the pressed pair, sew and cut apart. I don't even have to press with the iron if I don't want to - finger pressing folds them flat enough that I can piece them.

I do have to take the paper off the back, but I don't have to trim. They're right on the money for size and the seam crosses exactly from point to point on the square. :) (This perfect perfectness does not apparently enable me to set it accurately into a block - but at least the parts are accurate for those occasions when a block comes together correctly despite all my efforts to mess it up. ;) )

There are free patterns on the web that you can print out and try this method. If you like it, Triangulations costs only $22 at Connecting Threads - that's the best price I've found, anyway.

Here are a bunch of the free patterns:
http://www.quiltingandwhatnot.ca/Hal...-Triangle.html

i went to the link/her site. but i couldn't find the hst method. could you point it out?

This one uses her 6½" Square-Up Ruler - it's a pdf file:
http://quiltinaday.com/RulerInstruct...ulerInsWEB.pdf

If you have any trouble with the pdf, go to the "Free Patterns" page and look for 6½" Triangle: http://quiltinaday.com/freepattern/

If I have to make a lot of HST, I draw a grid of squares 1" bigger on the light fabric then draw the diagonal line and stitch 1/4" from all the diagonals and cut apart and trim up. Don't know if this is the "best" way but it works for me.

Here's one, but there are many on Google (quilting + HST grid)
http://www.quiltingandwhatnot.ca/Hal...-Triangle.html
This way enables you to make many of the same two colors.

I'm using Thangles for most of my 1/2 & 1/4 sq triangles. This was I don't have to cut my strips over sized. At first I didn't care for them, but the more I use them, the better I like them. Your mileage may vary!

This is my preferred method as well. Most times HST's will call to be measured at something and 7/8 in. I usually cut on the full inch and then trim down. Biggest thing to remember - IMO - is to use the same ruler throughout your project. When trimming the HST's I just use my regular ruler, place the diagonal seam on the 45% line and trim to the correct size from there. No need for specialty rulers at all.

Just pretend that I didn't send this link then :lol:
http://www.blockcentral.com/a-halfsq...glepaper.shtml

Get an Easy Angle ruler. They are specifically made for HSTs.
This is by far my favorite way to make HSTs!
Here is a link to one on the Hancock Fabric website, but you can find these anywhere...

http://www.hancockfabrics.com/Easy-A...VVviewprod.htm

This is the way I do as well. If I have a lot of them I have the software Trianglations 2 and also 3; (3 includes the 16th measurments as well as a new way to do flying geese). You use the cheap paper from the $ store and print your own; as many or as few as you want.

I tried Thangles, but then needed another size, you only get one size per pkg, if you want larger, smaller, buy another pkg. So, it is 9:30 in the evening and no LQS open, you wait until tomorrow. I had my LQS order Triangulations for me. Now, need a certain size? Go to computer put in disc, pic the right size, print it off, Voila, HST or Quarter sq. triangles whenever you want them and they are always perfect. Until I got this CD, I was verging on sheer insanity trying to make perfect HSR's. Now, no more problems.

ditto :lol:

If I have a lot to make, I like to use my Wonder Cut ruler. Can make tons in a short amount of time.

If you're good with a computer, you can actually draw the lines on Word or Publisher (or probably many others) then print out as many sheets as you need.

This subject is the number one question on the board.
Wish there was a special section that would show ALL the different ways to do them.

There are lots of ways to make accurate HSTs, look on youtube also and maybe Missouri Quilt Company site. Also check out the tutorial section on this board site.

If you do not want the bias edges, place your ruler on the diagonal on the straight of grain on the fabrics when cutting out the squares. Then sew on all 4 sides and cut twice diagonally. No bias edges. Cut a sample and see how you like the way it turns out. It works for me.

If I have to make a small amount of the lovely little buggers I do that line down the middle and love Eleanor Burns square up ruler.

If I have to make alot of the lovely things I use Debbie McCaffey's system of using bias strips, especially if they finish 3.5" or less. The book is call perfet and painless half square triangles. I took a class from Debbie last fall and just finished a quilt using her method. I needed 800 some HST. Here is a pic of my finished quilt.

There are many ways to make triangles...I haven't had a reason to sew alot YET..but I did have a duh moment when I realized what the degree angles are for on my rulers..and they all have them. Now I guess I really have no excuse to avoid triangles anymore. =)

I actually have one of these..I admire your work. I'll definitely try it out. Thank You. =)

Remember Jenny on Missouri star quilt company mentions bias edges but said she hasn't had any problems. Any time you deal with bias edges you need to be careful so I don't think it matters. P.S. I love the sew around edges that Jenny mentions. Again, personal choice and probably is a can of worms.

Thangles! They changed my life after a paper piecing class. Then I bought the Triangle Magic program from Quilt-Pro and I can print my own triangle papers in any size. Love it!

I made my Grandson his quilt pinwheel quilt following the directions from Missouri Star Quilting Company and it came out perfect. I love her tutorials!!

For yrs I would either use foundation papers such as Thangles or the method where you would draw a diagonal line and sew 1/4" on each side. However, I found that method quite often was not very accurate even when I would round up to the nearest whole inch. Then several months ago I decided to just cut the squares to the actual size (i.e, 2-7/8th inches), cut it in half on the diagonal, lay the 2 triangles RST and sew. Viola, accurate hsts every time! I realized that the problem before was if you do not use a very skinny line when drawing the diagonal, you will not be accurate. Plus this way is faster as you skip the step of either drawing the line or dealing with pinning the fabric to the paper. So long as you don't "manhandle" the bias edge when laying the 2 triangles together you will be just fine. You can also layer the 2 fabrics together before you cut the square, but you will probably still have to line the triangles up a bit before sewing.

I use my triangulations CD, print & then spritz a little quilt basting spray to attach it to the fabric, works well and I use up my recycled paper. My friend just used this method to make 242 2" HSTs for her quilt...she is a new quilter and her blocks looked great. I am wondering about what someone said about setting the template on a bias cut and the resulting HSTs not having any bias edges since they have to be handled when piecing with the HSTs. Interesting discussion.

The only problem I found with pressing seams open is that if you then need to 'ease to fit', you tend to get the seams opening, rather than just easening.

I sort of do the Eleanor Burns thing. I cut two strips that are 1 inch wider than the finished siz I am looking for. I then draw lines to make squares, but I don't cut them. I then draw zig zag lines up and down the diagonals. I sew 1/4 inch on either side of the zig zag lines. I then cut out the squares and between the sewn lines

I always make mine bigger than needed so I can square them up. It is another step but then I know they are all the exact same size. :-D :-D :-D

Missi, that is a beautiful quilt and alot of hst. Looks like a lot of work.

DITTO, DITTO, DITTO!!

Aaagh, I was right, it's worms everywhere!! Thanks everybody, for all the wonderful suggestions and links. But I have to say, I think I'm even worse off now... I don't know where to start!

I think I'll start by going to bed... tomorrow maybe I'll try out a few methods to see what I like.

And if I ever even think about a pattern with more than 50 HST, somebody shoot me. Please. :lol:

take two four, five or six inch squares tog. Sew i/4 inch all around the square. Then cut twice on the diag. and you have four of them. And they are perfect..

Im having trouble with this extra 7/8 added to finished size square. I dreaded any patterns that require this when cutting pieces. I guess Im ruler illiterate..I just cant get it. practice makes perfect though...lol