Half Square Triangle/Tips for more perfect
 

I just abandoned a quilt project that was all half-square triangles made from pre-cut 5" squares. I used the drawn line method and all was well until assembly took place and some points were off. Now if these were all the same size, is that supposed to happen? Is accuracy hard to achieve w/ these and if so, what do you do to maximize accuracy with those points? I read a little bit online and it seems many make them larger to start with and then later trim to size. Is that step i missed that would've yielded better results?

mea

:) I have had good luck making four 6 1/2 inch hsts from a 9 1/2 square (got tutorial from QB here) -- the secret seems to be accurate cutting of squares, using starch and pressing, accurate sewing of 1/4 inch seams, accurate cutting of diagonals, and then pressing the seams -- mine have come out fairly well -- I made a carpenter's wheel and a flyfoot in large blocks and was pleased with the results -- I wanted something easy and liked the idea of 4 hsts from one square -- good luck!!

Someone posted a chart for making 4 smaller hsts from a square -- starching before may have helped too -- sometimes things just don't work out like planned!!

When making HST's from squares, you want to allow at least 7/8" "loss, I always allow an inch. So if I want for example to have a 4" HST, I would cut my squares 5". You can do the same "method" for quarter square triangles, except you need to add 1 1/2".

I find that precuts are never accurate - I always get better results when I cut the squares myself. I know that a lot of tutorials out there recommend making them bigger and trimming them down. I have never had a issue - I use the drawn method. Your issue was probably with the pre-cut.

That's my thought. I have found precuts very often are varying in size

try cutting some five inch sqs and making hst's and see if they are much better. if so, it's the pre-cut ones that are at fault. if you trimmed, you must always lay the 45 degree line on the seam before trimming, turn the block, line up again and trim more on the other sides if necessary.

I have not had good luck using pre-cuts and find that cutting my hsts down from a larger block work out the best. I will also add that it is just not the pre-cut squares that can be off. The jelly rolls are notorious. It's unfortunate because the reason so many of us buy the pre-cuts is to save time and fabric waste. So, if you have a pattern that is forgiving, pre-cuts are great...otherwise reconsider, avoid frustration and buy fabric off the bolt.

Untill I started using the "make larger block, trim to size needed", HST were nothing but frustration for me. It's the only way now for me.:)

i find that even with an accurate consistent square to start with i must use the scant 1/4" for accurate results. Otherwise they are too small

OH thank you everyone for helping me!! If I could tackle this again, I probably wouldn't. Now I know to not use pre-cuts for this sort of thing and to starch more and square up using a 45" angle line. In future I will make my own squares cut a bit larger than i need. SO helpful! THANK YOU!

My best ruler addition is the Quilt In A Day triangle square up ruler. ONE cut to square up. It is great. It is fast and easy and everyone I have shown it to goes out and buys one.
I think Eleanor Burns has a demo on her web site.

I don't buy pre-cuts so I have never had a problem with HST's. I use the method described by pocoellie. It works well for me.

I have tried making them larger and cutting them down, but somehow I manage to screw that up too :) I'm going to try the starch method next time. Thanks for all the tips ladies! I'm also going to check out the Eleanor Burns ruler!

I always make them bigger and trim down to size. I also invested in the Bloc Loc rulers. Love these rulers!

Me too! I just add 1/4" to the size of the original squares. Also, one other trick a guild member told me is to just stitch a hair north of the stitch line (this really helps me with my HST's).

I've found the most important rule for me was to make sure the 45 deg line on your square up is totally on, then cut to size. If either of the ends is off a hair, it'll make the hst off in piecing.

Tiger Tape. Works absolutely wonderfully.

I have this ruler and LOVE it!

I make the HST's bigger than needed, then cut them to size.

Yes, be sure to starch!

There are many, many ways to make hst and qst. I have Triangulations software which is the bomb. You print out what size you need, put the pattern on top of your two fabrics which are face to face. Sew on the lines. Perfect hst. There's also Sewlingo?? - don't know if that name is right, and there are some hst you can get from the computer - just google. I am in the middle of making an Ocean Waves that requires 3,000 2" hst - yes 3,000. I bet I have more made. We had a charm square swap so I tried the 5" charm squares folded in half, & half again, sewed on the lines, sewed in half again and again, and cut on these lines. I got 8 hst this way. I like scrappy quilts so I decided that I would use no more than 6 of the same color combo in my hst, so the triangulations papers got cut up to smaller sizes. It still made 12, so I put 6 in one box to use in OW and 6 in another box to swap at some time or use in another quilt. We also did a hst swap that I got some goodies from. The wondercut ruler was the only ruler I've used that did not work well for me. I'm sure it was user error, but I look at the quilt I made with those hst and I grit my teeth - it's my screen saver no less. I love hst. Just play around and enjoy.

Squaring up on the 45 degree angle is the way to go. But I was making Boston Blocks (or Triple Triangle) and forgot about the OTHER 45 degree angle. So I didn't allow for the 1/4 in. on the third corner. : (

My new favorite way to make HSTs is using this ruler. It's fast and simple. No bias edges either. http://www.ct-publishing.com/pdfs/20182.pdf if I don't have the Go die for the size I need I use this ruler.

I found that using a "square up ruler" is the key...I make 3,1/2" HST's all the time..my fav size to use. But also..I find that cutting the squares in the first place...just a tiny tad bigger...I line up the 3,1/2" line and then move it in that tiny tad just past the line..and then cut. I think that pressing the rotary cutter down pulls the fabric just that tiny tad of a bit, that makes a huge issue later on that you are having. Then...I draw the line, and sew..I use a seam guide as my pressure foot isn't exact..and then set seams and open and press...pressing hte seams first is a big help as it sets the threads flat and straight for opening...just think about it..those threads make loops which are round...and if they are not pressed flat...they can move and get crooked...again, just a tiny tad, but enough in quilting to make a difference. Then...use the square up ruler. and the points come out fine. Quilters have to remember ....a little here, a little there...means a WHOLE LOT later!

I got some patterns from www. how-to-quilt.com that was already made with the 1/4 inch sewing line. These patterns have the points cut off so they are neater. I love the patterns they have. I used to hate sewing triangles but love to sew them now.

BellaBoo, normally I'm not one for a bunch of different rulers and such, but that's a very interesting ruler. I'm going to have to check it out. Thanks

I have that precuts actually can vary almost 1/4" sometimes. I find the best way is to sew and trim down to size. Then every one is dead-on!

I agree with normasews. I love, love, love the bloc loc rulers. My HSTs have never been so accurate, not to mention fast!! Here is the link to their site if you want to check them out... http://blocloc.com/

Bonnie Hunter on Quiltville says to pur your squares rst then cut diagonally, the sew the 1/4" seams on the bias edge, that seemed to help me have more accurate hst

The precut 5" squares are not always exactly 5". Also sometimes we have a tendency to wander a off a little at the end of the seam and when it is multiplied by several blocks it adds up to your problem.

The 5' precuts aren't always exactly 5". Also, sometimes we tend to let the end of the seam drift off just a little but when multiplied over several blocks it adds up to your problem. Try to make sure you hold that last little bit of the seam firm to be sure to get the accurate 1/4".

Go to U tube type in half square triangles great tute make four at one time

I like Nifty Notions Half Square ruler for cutting the triangles from strips. But I have started making them 1/4 to 1/2 inch bigger so I can trim them down with Deb Tucker's "Tucker Trimmer" and be sure they are the size I want.

I agree with the majority......precuts are seldom all accurate. Can't you jut square up your hst?

Creative Grids has a non slip simple 7/8 Ruler now #CGR78 made for cutting hqt. It is designed by Joyce Dawe. My Quilt shop ordered it for me. They run around $18.00. or order from www.creativedgridsUSA.com. Have two, one for sewing room and one for go bag. Great little ruler

I bought a charm pack and when I measured the squares they were not 5" - some were slightly under, some a bit more. So it could be your charm set was not right

I totally agree... I've tried other methods, including Thangles, but what works best for me is to cut the squares a little bit bigger and then trim the HST down... And I have to stick with what works!! :)

This is what I do as well. It works very well. I couldn't get good success with the other ways I tried.

Sorry you had so much Trouble, I use the WONDER CUT ruler, It is great, you cut two strips of fabric( according to the size finished block) sew both sides( like a tube) and lay the ruler on the strip and cut. It is easy peasy. I usually make a hair larger because my 1/4" is not always accurate. The web site is very helpful. http://wondercutruler.com/