that method is easy but it has a lot of wasted fabric. i think it would be fine for a few small half squares but if you're doing an entire quilt top with a lot of half squares you'd throw away as much fabric as you kept.

Didn't think of that since I'm still into squares and rectangles. lol I haven't grown up yet still scared. lol :roll:

Thanks for the tips and help!
I am planning on starting the piecing tonight!
Kirsten

It is easy to make a pattern on your fabric. If you only need 4 half sq triangles say 2 1/2 in size. Cut a rectangle of two fabrics right sides togather that is 3 in by 6 inchs. Draw a line at the 3 in middle then draw lines corner to corner from that line. \l/ . Sew 1/4 in from each side of angled lines. Cut on all drawn lines then square up to 2 1/2 inchs. They will come out perfect every time. For each size larger add 2 inchs.
I have tried many different methods including buying already marked patterns but that is a waste of money when it is so simple just to draw on the fabric.
There is a ruler that makes squaring up the triangles easy too.
Quilt in a Day has it. You just lay the line on the triangle before opening and cut two cuts and it is squared up. Fast easy and perfect every time.

http://www.softexpressions.com/softw...ons/angler.htm

This is the website for the Angler2. It is what I use to make my HST. You don't even have to mark the square; just line it up and sew.

When I do a lot of the HSTs of the same color I use strips and sew the strips together.Then open the and iron. Use your template to place the corners on the seams and cut out moving up the strip til you get to the end. Then sew the other two sides together and do it again.

You can butt up the tip of the square to the one below and then this leaves just enough to go back on the second time around and cut one out of the fabric that ends up left behind on the first time cutting. It is really about like using Thangles but without buying anything. You can get really close to the last one you cut and your waste will be minimal.

The one reneebobby mentions is probably for scrappy stuff where you use a lot of differant fabrics which is what I show because that is what I do the most and it is simpler to show someone who has never done it my way before.

The angler is fine for making one at a time but you usually need many more than that.

If you're doing lots of the same, these guides may help:
http://qi.yarnslave.com/Blocks/TrianglePapers/

those paper guides are very cool

First you take a pencil and draw a line from the top left corner of your square and draw a line to the bottom right corner of your square. Then you sew 1/4 inch on both sides of the line you just made. Now, cut your square on the pencil line. Now you have perfect triangle squares!!! :)