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I use Rhonda's HST cut down method. It is so easy to do and I always end up with the exact size square I need.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-37915-1.htm |
I gave up long ago and just started cutting my squares large enough that I could sew them on the diagonal, cut them in half, press them and then square them up and cut them back to the desired size. In other words, if I need a 3" square, I start with 4" squares and trim them back. Also, starching helps a lot.
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Originally Posted by auntmag
I use "Thangles", come out perfect every time.
what's not to love about $1.00 for 2 blocks on this program.. what a cost savings... this is great.... the setting kit is HOW MUCH??? oh well, it will be beautiful when done & the credit card will heal lol! |
Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
I would never do them that way. You end up with bias edges on all the edges. Cut the squares bigger, draw the line down the center and sew a quarter inch away and then trim them down. The rule is to add 7/8ths of an inch but you can add an inch or even an inch and a quarter and the square them up to perfect.
Blessings, MaryAnna |
Originally Posted by mistycatbaby
Ummm. What are hsts?
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Originally Posted by Candace
I only do these using Triangulations software. No headaches, that way!
Here is a video on how it works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z6o7Bh7MYg |
yes, please do scan it for us. Thanks
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As Katie says My Cut Down Method is easy and precise. NO dog ears no trimming again NOTHING to buy.
If you have any questions just let me know!! http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-37915-1.htm |
Rhonda is right when I am doing minis I use her method and it works everytime never thought to use it with the bigger blocks NOW I will
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I'm for the good old "cut them too big" method!! It works!
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Nolee, I hope all the above ideas and suggestions have helped you. It is terrible to have the creative juices flowing and suddenly you are stopped by frustration because something is just not working for you.
You've done beautiful work in the past, so we are all sure you will get through this stumbling block. |
Originally Posted by sandpat
IMHO...the way you are doing them is waaayyyy too much work. Just do them the way Scissor Queen suggested, sew a long chain of them, cut them apart, press, then trim them to size using your 45 diag. line on your small square ruler. I promise you....this works...I've made tons and tons of them this way. Good luck and do find a way to do it and still have fun, quilting is supposed to be FUN..not stressful or frustrating!
PRESS - Do not iron. Just press down on the seam to set it and gently press it open. I generally use my fingernail to fingerpress just before hitting it with the iron! Also, if you have a problem with the piece slipping under the ruller as you are triming the triangle down before pressing it open, use a smaller mat so you can turn the mat to get to the second side instead of crossing your arms. Or, if you have the "lazy susan" type of rotary cutting mat, use that. |
Originally Posted by auntmag
I use "Thangles", come out perfect every time.
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I would like the name of the stencils---Thanks!
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Originally Posted by Momsmurf
Originally Posted by sandpat
IMHO...the way you are doing them is waaayyyy too much work. Just do them the way Scissor Queen suggested, sew a long chain of them, cut them apart, press, then trim them to size using your 45 diag. line on your small square ruler. I promise you....this works...I've made tons and tons of them this way. Good luck and do find a way to do it and still have fun, quilting is supposed to be FUN..not stressful or frustrating!
PRESS - Do not iron. Just press down on the seam to set it and gently press it open. I generally use my fingernail to fingerpress just before hitting it with the iron! Also, if you have a problem with the piece slipping under the ruller as you are triming the triangle down before pressing it open, use a smaller mat so you can turn the mat to get to the second side instead of crossing your arms. Or, if you have the "lazy susan" type of rotary cutting mat, use that. |
I am usually the opposite of everyone else. I NEVER Press I want that sucker as flat as I can get it and I IRON it with everything I have every time.[/quote]
:-D Whatever works for each of us...that's why I just love this board!!! No one "Quilt Police Law". Go for it. :lol: :thumbup: |
Originally Posted by Momsmurf
I am usually the opposite of everyone else. I NEVER Press I want that sucker as flat as I can get it and I IRON it with everything I have every time.
Whatever works for each of us...that's why I just love this board!!! No one "Quilt Police Law". Go for it. :lol: :thumbup:[/quote] My favorite mantra is Live and Let live! It would be a boring world if we all thought alike! And alot less creative if we didnt' all have lots of our own ideas!! My dad always called me the backwards kid. I never did anything the way anyone else would do it! :mrgreen: |
[I am usually the opposite of everyone else. I NEVER Press I want that sucker as flat as I can get it and I IRON it with everything I have every time.[/quote]
Do you use steam when you press seams? Also, I sent you a pm. |
[I am usually the opposite of everyone else. I NEVER Press I want that sucker as flat as I can get it and I IRON it with everything I have every time.[/quote]
Do you use steam when you press seams? Also, I sent you a pm. |
I use the thangles easy peasy, you can get them at your lqs. worth the 5.99 they cost. Did a whole quilt of the month with nothing but three colors a package of thangles turned out real nice
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If you started with a 5" square and trying to get 3 1/2" squares your method will not work. I tried several different fabrics and taking a 5" square and sewing all around then cutting the way you said will give you 3 1/4" squares which will throw off everything else.
If you don't like sewing HSTs you should try "Triangulations" CD. It has HSTs and HQTs in a lot of different sizes and they come out perfect everytime. Carmen |
I have so enjoyed learning from everyone on this!! Thanks so much
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Triangulations is the only way to go. I like being able to print the size I need and sew several at the same time on one piece of paper. Connecting Threads has the software at a really good price.
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Originally Posted by danade
Scissor Queen's way is the very simplest and "right" way to do HST. I've read Norelli's post several times and I still can't figure out how she attempted to do it by sewing all around the edges, nor where she would have gotten this information. Also if you do it as Scissor Queen suggests, you can chain piece hundreds of these without stopping, sewing an accurate 1/4-inch on either side of the marked diagonal line, and then cut them apart and cut through the diagonal line--voila! Zillions of half-square triangles! (Be sure to add the 7/8 of an inch to the size you want your finished triangles to turn out when you cut out your squares.)
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I would like the name of the rulers and stencils. I have the June Tailor ruler and love it.
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What are Ta-Da triangles?
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Where do you find Thangles? My LQS doesn't carry them.
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Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
I would never do them that way. You end up with bias edges on all the edges. Cut the squares bigger, draw the line down the center and sew a quarter inch away and then trim them down. The rule is to add 7/8ths of an inch but you can add an inch or even an inch and a quarter and the square them up to perfect.
:thumbup: :roll: |
Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
I would never do them that way. You end up with bias edges on all the edges. Cut the squares bigger, draw the line down the center and sew a quarter inch away and then trim them down. The rule is to add 7/8ths of an inch but you can add an inch or even an inch and a quarter and the square them up to perfect.
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Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
I would never do them that way. You end up with bias edges on all the edges. Cut the squares bigger, draw the line down the center and sew a quarter inch away and then trim them down. The rule is to add 7/8ths of an inch but you can add an inch or even an inch and a quarter and the square them up to perfect.
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[quote=Nolee] I am ready to give up hst's forever. I did them the easy way on the tutorial by sewing them right sides together around all the edges, then precisely cutting on the diagonal twice and sewed them with a meticulous 1/4th inch seam and STILL they are off, STILL they are wonky. I thought I would just cut them a bit smaller with a template, but it gets stuck on the join of all four centers and moves all around and I can't cut accurately around it.
What in the world am I doing wrong? I have done them over and over and they just don't turn out the right size. Suggestions?[/quote. Have you tried using "Thangles" by Mary B. Hayes. They really work. I get them at my LQS I use them if making lots of little ones like my basket quilt. No 7/8" cutting. There is also a rather new sq. cutting ruler that has a ridge for placing on the seam so it doesn't slip. Good luck and never give up. Take a break then go back and try again. |
[quote=Nolee] I am ready to give up hst's forever. I did them the easy way on the tutorial by sewing them right sides together around all the edges, then precisely cutting on the diagonal twice and sewed them with a meticulous 1/4th inch seam and STILL they are off, STILL they are wonky. I thought I would just cut them a bit smaller with a template, but it gets stuck on the join of all four centers and moves all around and I can't cut accurately around it.
What in the world am I doing wrong? I have done them over and over and they just don't turn out the right size. Suggestions?[/quote. Have you tried using "Thangles" by Mary B. Hayes. They really work. I get them at my LQS I use them if making lots of little ones like my basket quilt. No 7/8" cutting. There is also a rather new sq. cutting ruler that has a ridge for placing on the seam so it doesn't slip. Good luck and never give up. Take a break then go back and try again. |
Hi,
Kaye England's rulers, called Nifty Notions Rulers - Quilt for a Cure (some of the proceeds go to Breast Cancer Research) - are wonderful for half-square and quarter square triangles. For the half square triangles you put two strips right-sides together, and then use the ruler to cut the triangles, sew on the diagonal, and you are done - no squaring up needed! The ruler allows you to make half-square triangle units from 1 inch to 8 inches. The quasrter square triangle ruler works the same way. In addition, a combination of both rulers will make flying geese - no need for special rulers of varying size! Not all quilt shops carry her rulers, but you may be able to get them from her web site (not sure) - just Google Kaye England. They are wonderful! She also has many other rulers bor bias traingles, kaleidoscope (both can be used to make very easy dresden plate pieces), half-rectangles and many more. And the rulers all have little round holes on the whole-inch lines which are wonderful for lining up your fabric! Give some a try - I think you will love them! |
That is how I cut them. Sometimes I wonder if it's easier just to cut the triangle & then join them :?:
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The quit in a day ruler is an awesome tool. Used it in my quilt class making pinwheel squares....It was so awesome I had to buy the ruler.
Originally Posted by QuiltedAngel
Quilt in a day has a half square triangle ruler, actually they have 2 a 6 1/2 and a 9 1/2 inch... It is worth a shot, she also has videos on her site and vimeo :) <3
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