have you tried thangles? you just cut strips and then add the thangles to it for sewing and cutting guidelines and VIOLA!!!

When it comes to making HST's a lot of people have a hard time. They never come out right. I've had this problem too and stayed away from patterns that had HST's.
Until...I came across a method called the "Cut-Down Method" created by Rhonda Woodsmall. www.bitsnpiecesworkshop.com
With this technique your HST's will come out perfect every time. No more wonky squares. Your blocks will be so perfect that you won't have to square up the HST's.
I no longer shy away from any pattern that has a HST. If you don't believe me, just try it for yourself. Go to www.bitnpiecesworkshop.com

Wow this sounds like a commercial...lol.

Its always easier to show pictures so here goes with Eleanor Burns method using her triangle square up ruler.
For 2 1/2 in HST use 2 - 6 in squares for 8 triangles.
Just add 2 in for each size larger- 8 in for 3 1/2 in HST

I made a King size quilt out of HST. The instructions were to cut 9" x 21" pieces and draw a grid on the backside of the lightest fabric. It was two rows of five 3-3/4" squares then you drew a diagonal line and sewed 1/4" both sides of the line. It went fast. But thangles would be much faster

love love love thangles

Would the triangulations be the same as printing foundations for HST's in EQ?

Ditto

I hadn't heard of this way but I like it. It's similar to the way I make my 4 patches.

I usually do the square method that gives me 8 at a time. I probably won't explain it well but here goes....

To figure out the size of your squares you take the finished size of the square wanted - double - add two inches. ie; 2" finished squares 2 + 2 = 4 + 2 = 6" square.

Mark an X (corners to corners) and sew 1/4" on each side of marks, then cut square into quarters and along the marked lines to get 8 HST's.

oops, I just noticed that Rose Marie already explained it and has pictures too! I knew I should have read to the end before answering. :oops:

I am hooked on the Triangulations software for creating HST and QST. Only about $20 and the best $20 I have spent!