If I use Thangles, I don't have any problem getting them.

Without Thangles, though, (and I'd like to know both ways), I have a great deal of trouble sewing a 1/4 away from center on BOTH sides. I was told to lay the squares on top of each other, draw a line down the center of the darker piece and sew on each side of that line.
Well, it works fine with the line on the left, but I can't figure out a way to see the 1/4 inch on the right side of the center line. I keep trying and it just never matches the other side.

I *think* they make a little plastic ruler that does this. Is that correct?

Any help appreciated! I don't mind using Thangles at all, but it would be nice to be able to do them either way.

Draw your lines on the lighter piece. There's no reason to draw on the darker fabric. Draw your center line and then draw another line 1/4 inch on both sides of that.

Will try that. But don't they make a ruler that is half inch wide just for this? (Too early to go the store and look!)
:)

I know Fons & Porter makes a little ruler for this.

Why don't you try drawing three lines? One in the middle to get the center, and then 1/4" away on either side. That way you can see it on the right.

You can do it with one of your rulers. I take my 4 1/2 inch ruler, line up the 45* angle line on the left side of your square. You should be able to put the angled side of the ruler on the diagnol of the square, point to point. Draw your line down the center. Then take your ruler and measure out 1/4 inch from the drawn line, 1 side at a time, and draw your sewing line.

Fons & Porter makes a tool for this, but it works this way too.

Just turn the squares around to opposite corner you started with.

Kyia

There is a ruler out there called the Quick Quarter....I have both lengths and just love them!!!

Here is a link so you can see them.
http://www.sewforless.com/item/Quick...Ruler_Set/7697

There is a special little ruler that is 1/2" wide with a cut out down the center that you use to to draw all 3 lines, but it is not really necessary. You can use any ruler with 1/4" mark.

You do need to be careful to make sure your center line goes exactly corner to corner. If that's off, everything will be off.

Yup, I think this is what you need to do. Sounds like you don't have any problem doing one of the lines, but you might be eyeballing it on the other side. All you need to do is turn your piece around so you're sewing just like you were on the first side.

That's how I do it too. If you have a 1/4" foot with the metal guide on the side you can line the guide up on the center line, sew down one side, flip it around and line the guide up on the center line again. It works well for me.

That's how I do it, too. I didn't know there were special rulers.

Here's a link for an add-a-quarter ruler: http://www.connectingthreads.com/Too...r_TD81903.HTML

If you use the method of drawing one line and then turning it around, a small cutting mat is helpful. You can just turn the mat and then you won't disturb your fabric. I use the quick Quarter ruler all of the time and love it.

I have the Fons and Porter half inch rulers and they work great. I have a hard time sewing a straight line and this ruler helps. Since I make 8 HST at a time I only have to mark my lines twice to make an x.

That is what I do and it works great.

I got a quarter inch ruler from the LQS and it works great! Although I think Thangles are just as easy.

:)

Thanks for the advice!!!

I'm with those who recommend the Quick Quarter....they aren't expensive and have really helped me make perfect HSTs.

As long as you sew a scant 1/4 inch, you'll be OK. After you cut the HST apart, you square it up and if there is some play your dimensions, you cut it off and get your block squared up at that point.
Lois

I saw Billie Lauder using Tiger Tape. (I think that was the name.) It works the same as drawing the lines but you just stick on the tape and sew along both sides. It's supposed to be re-useable. Haven't tried it yet but I intend to.

I took a class last week and the teacher was adamant about scant 1/4 inch seams. Most machines, you can move the needle so slightly that you get a scant one. She also said a "scant" is a needle width to the left of the seam you are doing, or have marked. Elanore Burns has a wonderful square ruler, that when you put it on the seam of your stitched 1/2 triangle and trim it will be a perfect size. Hope this makes sense.
Dixie

I have the quarter inch ruler, it's wonderful

I draw three lines and I have a small ruler I think it is 6 x 9 and it has a 1/4" line on it and it works perfect. I will have to check my other rulers to see if they have the 1/4' line.

At Wal-Mart they have a June Tailor contraption "Perfect Half-Squar & Quarter-Square Triangles ($12.97). Along the sides (one side for marking and the other side for cutting). On the marking side you line the blue line up with the point and draw your lines in the slots on either side of the blue line. On the cutting side, you line the cutting slot up with the points and the dash lines up with your stitching. I just bought one and it works great, much better than those little narrow rulers.

I love making half-square triangles. I use Fons and Porter's 1/2sqtriangle ruler. Ruler - corner to corner, draw two lines, put a pin on either side of the line, sew on the lines, cut thread, cut dow the middle, iron to the dark and VOILA!!!! half-square triangle! F&P sells the rulers in two sizes per package. I gave my long one to a quilting neighbor and I use the littler one all the time. It is 8" long. It is the best quilting tool there is, except for an orange stick for pushing seams down. Edie

June Taylor has a Quick Cut ruler out now just for half and quarter square triangles. I bought one and don't know how I ever made triangles without it. They sell them at Walmart and JoAnn's for a little over $11.00.

I have two add-a-quarter thin rulers, and I do use them for this. It works great!!

I was at a quilt store in Frankenmuth Mi and saw a template that made HST's. It was the size of 1 1/2x11 inch paper.You put it on your material drew in the lines sew and cut. It came in different size triangles. I didn't buy it but wished I would have bought one to try out. I can't remember the name of the maker though. The owner demoed it and it looked like it would work quite well. Maybe I can try calling and find out the name. If anyone knows let me know.

I start with my square a tad bit bigger than the directions call for. The chain peice through the squares. Then the last step is using a Bias Square ruler to square up the finished product after cutting the squares apart.

I was given one of those 1/4 line rules and find I just don't need it. Just more 'stuff' for me to keep track of.

I just posted my tutorial for making easy HSTs. It doesn't matter what size your seam allowance is as long as you sew a straight line. Take a look at it and see what you think.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-37915-1.htm

I just cut my squares about 1/2 inch bigger than needed, iron one square into a triangle, and sew on each side of the iron line. I start one way, then flip the triangle around to get the other side (flip it 180 degrees). Then I cut them apart and square them up. Perfect every time ...

Rachel

I use the Quick Quarter and it comes out great every time

All I mark is the diagonal line from corner to corner. Then I use the quarter-inch presser foot placing the edge on the drawn line. I chain piece all sets and then turn around and go down the other side.

There is a notch on my presser foot and, when placed on the drawn corner-to-corner line, I get a "scant" 1/4" seam. As suggested, just turn your fabric and sew on other side of line. Also, if you want to go to the expense, you can purchase "paper-type" strips that have the solid line marking with the 1/4" marking down both sides which makes for perfect stitching. The paper is then torn away. Saw it at a quilt show yesterday. Going back today and I will try to get the name of the product.

I use my 1/4" foot and sew on both sides of the center diagonal which I use a very fine chalk line, I think I turn it, so I have the view. I think a scant 1/4" is usually recommended.

Go to www.pambonodesigns.com and look at her product called Angler2. It's a sheet of plastic with sewing lines that you tape over the throat plate. Place your fabrics on the correct lines and sew your angles without using pins or drawing lines. I just used it on her pattern for trucks and rarely had to unpick seams. The pattern had 24 wheels, 13 pieces to each wheel and I didn't draw lines or pin any of the angles of the wheels.

I did go back to the Quilt Show today and they had "sold out" of those "stitching lines." That is what the product is called--"Stitching Lines." She does not have a web site so a person would have to wait until next year's show. She travels to other quilt shows.

Hello, I only draw 1 line down the center of the lighter fabric...then I put the little lip of the quarter inch foot on the line stitch with the lip following the line....sew off the fabric a little turn the fabric the other direction letting the lip follow the line again and its stitched 1/4 inch from the drawn line on both sides of the lines.....then I cut fabric on the drawn line and you have 2 half square triangles...I also orginially cut the squares 7/8 inch larger than needed....that way after you cut on the drawn line and press....use the 6 1/2 square ruler and put the line down the center diagonial and square up the block to the size needed...

I have a June Taylor Perfect Half and Quarter Square Triangle. It helps with drawing the sewing lines on the squares, then it has a cutting line for cutting between the sewing lines. It also has a squaring up section to it for different sized squares. I found a demo for it on You Tube and was sold. It is one of my most useful rulers.

This June Taylor product is also wonderful for squaring up your blocks after you've made them.
I have computer disc called "Triangulations: Half Square and Quarter Square" by Brenda Henning (Bear Paw Productions). It's like Thangles, but you can just print out the size and number you need. After sewing my HST with these, I use The June Taylor "contraption" to square them up. This has taken a lot of the headache out of HST for me.