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You’ve gotten so many GREAT suggestions from everyone here. This happened to me too so I did what Nana Jan does. If you think they are too wonky to use for this quilt you could start again and save the ones you’ve already made for a scrap quilt later. You could mix them up with other shapes next to them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheryl rearick

I bought some stencils from a board member and can make 31 triangle squares at a time or just one. THEN I also bought a JUNE TAYLOR Half Triangle Square RULER.... (it is awesome) After using stencils I square up 100% with June Taylor. Works like a champ.... Never will I be without either one of these items again... So awesome.... If you want name of stencils let me know I will go look. NO WASTE.... NONE :)

I also use the June Taylor ruler. I have never had an half-square turn out perfect, but the ruler has every thing you need built in to make a 6 1/2 Half Square Triangle.

Buy triangulations cd-you stack the fabrics pin the paper patern on, sew on the dotted lines, cut on the solid lines and voila! a bunch of perfect half square trianges. Version 3 has flying geese too-I just got it yesterday so haven't tried that yet. One of the best things is that there is no waste of fabric.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sblancarte

Where do you get the triangulations cd?

Maybe Scissor could write a tutorial? Just a thought.

The method you used makes all the outside edges a bias edge. No wonder it was frustrating.

Here is the method I teach all the time, and have the best success at. And it yields 8 HSTs at the same time. I use the same math formula and one cool tool for nearly perfect results each time. Yup, I admit, I'm a pointy quilter. I like perfect points.

I always trim all my units afterward, using Eleanor Burns' "Triangle Square-Up Ruler" to trim the HSTs to the perfect size. LOVE this ruler!!! You can see her video of how it works here:
http://www.quilt-in-a-day.com/televi...lesquareup.asp

FORMULA: (FINISHED SIZE + 1" ) x 2 = SIZE SQUARES to CUT.
Note: The 1" extra accounts for 1/4" seam allowance on each side, plus 3/8" for the diagonal seam, plus another 1/8" fudge factor in case your seam allowance is too large or a bit wonky.

Here's an EXAMPLE: For 3" finished HSTs, add 1" (4), multiply that number x 2 (= 8)
*CUT 2 - 8" squares (contrast in color or value)
Follow these simple steps:

*STITCH 1/4" from the lines, on both sides of the drawn lines. *CUT into four-inch squares, then CUT on diagonal lines.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]177890[/ATTACH]

*DRAW diagonal lines from corner to corner in an X on the wrong side of the lighter of the two fabrics. *LAYER right sides together.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]178040[/ATTACH]

*TRIM each unit to size *YIELD: 8 perfect Half-Square Triangles.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]178135[/ATTACH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

You are not alone in this. I did the same method you did and did enough for two baby quilts at one time and now I'm trying to put everything together and nothing is coming together correctly. I am so frustrated and what should have been fun baby quilts has now turned into a pile of HST's that I've been ignoring. I guess nothing more I can do but trim them all to size. Good luck with your project!

I use Ta-Da triangles they come out perfect and I don't have paper to rip out so no pulling on the seam. And, no dull needles from paper.

I make triangles by sewing in the middle, not just one time but 2. Make the square 1/2 inch larger than you want the triangle to be. Sew 1/4 inch to one side of the center mark, turn around and sew 1/4 inch on the other side of the center mark. Cut in half on the center mark. You have 2 sets of traingles already attached==light on dark, dark on dark, or whatever you match with right sides together.

One question, do you use a steam iron or a dry iron when you press?