I use the Brenda Henning Triangulations 3.0 CD. It does QST in 1/8" increments, HST in 1/16" increments and Flying Geese in 1/4" increments. It's the only way to go. I put Brenda Henning Triangulations in Google Search and found the cheapest which was btwn $20. and $25.00. It's the only way to go.

This is the easiest method and you don't have to buy anything. :)

Since I just started quilting again after almost a year and I'm finishing a quilt I have already started, I haven't tried this but read about it and this seems so easy. I'd give this a try before buying anything.

well, I actually am going to try the Jenny Doan method because I don't have the specialty rulers and want to start today. Can someone here tell me how large to cut my big squares to get the 5" sized HST's? Would I just cut 11" big squares and then use my 5" square ruler to trim up afterward? I want to make the carpenter wheel for a table topper so I'll need it to be around 40" square with border and such.

Just found this method while making a quilt on the Esther Aliu blog-
She has a "Half Square Triangle Fast Paper Method Template" that is super easy to use.
You can find the sheets to run off for this method at http://www.quiltingandwhatnot.ca
Free HST at the top of the page

I have the Trianglation software, it's great.
I use the WonderCut ruler, it's great.
I use the Thangles, it's great.
June Taylor and Eleanor Burns rulers are great.
I use the Accucut Go the most. It's super great.
The Tiger Tape method is very easy but expensive to do a lot. and my friend sent me something new called Stitching Lines and I have used it a lot for more then just HST. there are two you tube videos how you can use Stitching Lines: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3BVwTiNnWM

That Doan method will leave you with bias edges, not good.
You have to sew an x on the square to avoid bias edges.
The tutorial even says this.
Check out Quilt In A Day for making 8 HST at a time using the x method.
The Wonder cut looks good for making them to size.
I prefer to oversize and square up with one cut using El Burns ruler.

I use the Ta-Da Triangles. They are used on fat quarters and no paper to rip off.

cut them as a square and then cut them to size. Hate sewing them already cut.

This is my very favorite way, too. Easy peasy.

I've used thangles and like the accuracy, but removing the paper is very time consuming.

oops, double post.

Hi! I've been quilting forever (it seems like) and have purchased many gadgets for the perfect HST. The best thing I have found is pretty new....a bloc loc ruler. They are kinda pricey but the technique ends up with perfection!!!! I don't do alot of large blocks so the 6" square ruler is the one I grab all the time. The ruler has a ridge on the back of it that hugs the seam. Check out their website for a demo. Happy Quilting!!!!

Besides Connecting Threads where is the ruler available? I use the Thangles for mine ans wonder if its worth the price.

I use my GO cutter for HST and love how they come out perfect. Maybe that is something you could check into. Good luck

Those are way too expensive. I don't understand why a person needs this expensive ruler to square up a block. Square rulers have the diagonal line and all you have to do is line it up with your hst.

If you purchase a Wondercut ruler and have any questions just PM me. I have spent a lot of time with the ladies who designed them, and can probably help with any questions you might have.

I have a terrible time making accurate HSTs using any kind of ruler.

Am not doing a quilt with lots it HSTs and i'm using Triangles on a Roll paper. I have it in 2, 3, 4, and 5 inch (finished size of triangle).

It's wonderful, easy and my HSTs are no longer wonky. What a relief.

I recommend it. Not too expensive either and tears off like thin foundation paper.

I have used the Jenny Doaks method and love it. I have also drawn a line across the blocks with right sides facing each other and sewn 1/4" each side of the line. Sometimes they come out smaller than I want. Have to start making my blocks bigger and then cut them to size after they are made. I can't afford the expensive rulers that have just one use.

You are right...it is pricey..........but I have 6 other HST rulers and they can slip when you are cutting. This one doesn't. If you check their website you are able to slide the ruler from one end to the other without lifting up the ruler.

I just started using the Triangulation version....it's very handy, you can make multiples from one page, especially for small HST's, and they come out perfect.

Good luck with whatever method you use.

If you can afford the price, go for it. I don't have any problem with my rulers.

I've made over 1,000 HST's for a quilt and this is the method I used. I like
this method because it's fast, easy, no paper to rip, doesn't cost anything
and no bias edges to deal with. :thumbup:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-141047-1.htm

i also use this method whether i am making just a couple or a large amount
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

this is the link to the above---- http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/ha...-made-easy.htm!

I love triangulations!

I bought it ages ago and haven't used it. Mine must be the original version since it doesn't have a number on it. I'd say it's time to check this baby out!! Thanks for the nudge.

My favorite is making 8 at once, but now that I've seen how the Wonder cut saves effort, that will be my new method for making many HSTs.

http://www.wondercutruler.com/ruler.html

I currently am making a gazillion HSTs from precut 2 7/8 inch squares taken from cutting apart scraps. Tedious, but easily done. I would never do a regular quilt this way unless I only needed a few.

After page one, I see that I won't be reading all of these things that I can't do because I don't have the "required" ruler. I just do it the old fashioned way. Cut two strips of fabric the width required, press them RSto RS. Then cut blocks the same width as the width of the strip. Draw a diagonal line and stitch a scant quarter inch on either sides of the line. Cut on the the line. It works for me. I usually cut the piece a bit larger so I can size them all up the same. Call me old fashioned, but I'm also an old dog and the tricks I know, I'm stickin' to 'em.

GailG, that's they way i was taught too. I think it is best to cut them larger and trim to size. Mine were always just a little skewed and i think it is because i cut the precise size. Trimming down should eliminate some of the out-of-squareness that I had.

Hmm....just got me to thinking....I wonder if you can use EQ to print thangle type design.

Wow - the wonder cut really looks like it would be a great investment!

Triangulations is my favorite!

Every month, I have to make ten blocks for a BOM, and they're made of ten HST's in two sizes.

Triangulations is the only method that works to get consistently sized HST's every time.

I have tried a lot of methods and rulers, but if I have to make more than a few at a time, I will go with Triangulations every time. :)

My method is not the easiest, but it is the preferred, at least for me. If the directions say cut a square to the 8th of an inch I cut to the next quarter, draw a line diagonally down the center, sew 1/4" on either side, cut on drawn line, press open, then square up to desired unfinished size. It will take a lot of time if you have dozens to make but the finished product is perfect and all are uniform and the intersections are much better (& less frustrating!). If no pattern then cut squares 1 inch larger than finished size. When making lots of HSTs, say you need 8 HSTs that finish at 3 inches then put two 8" squares RST, draw diagonal lines from corner to corner, sew 1/4" on either side then cut the squares in half horizontially and vertically then on the drawn lines. (Writing directions is hard)

By the way, I have the Wonder Ruler and have not used it since right after buying it. Maybe it was me but my squares just weren't uniform. Now I just use a standard ruler to square up.

Do the Wondercut HSTs come out the true size when you press, or do you still have to do all that dang trimming? I HATE trimming to size. It takes forever. I just want to sew!

If you cut accurately and sew an accurate 1/4" seam they will not need trimming. There are few that I end up trimming due to quilter's error.

I paper piece them. Can make 12 2"HSTs with 2-6.5x9.5 rectangles. www.blockcentral.com has Kim Noblin sheets you can print out on your computer. They have the 1 inch grid so you can increase the size if needed. I have to print mine at 105% for them to come out perfect. I find this method very easy and use regular copy paper and it seems to pull from the seam easy.

When I teach Beginning Quilting, I usually teach my students 3 or 4 different methods of how to make hst and then they can decide which works best for them. We all have our favorite method(s), it is just a matter of finding it/them. I don't do any of these where I have to remove paper though, that just isn't any fun to me.

I just draw a diagonal line from one point to another, then sew 1/4 inch away from that line. Voila! Two HST's!!!!! I can do this over & over & over, etc.........................