Half square triangles advice needed
 

Okay, so I am making triangle squares using this method http://www.patchwork-and-quilting.co...triangles.html

Here is the problem. Doing it this way, each side ends up on the bias. Now depending on the fabric, my square ends up wavy and funky once pressed. I wonder what ya'll do to keep these little creatures in line!

I have tried starching the two pieces before sewing and cutting, but still they get misshapen.

I just cut two squares about an inch bigger than I want my finished triangles, I then stitch 1/4inch on Esther side of a line I draw down the middle cut them on the line press and trim them with a square ruler....

In hindsight, great idea! I have already pre-cut all for this current project so that is a good plan for next time :)

It seems to me that each *seam* is on the bias, not each edge. But that aside, if you are getting misshapen squares - are you pressing or ironing? It is easy to stretch the squares out of shape if you iron them (the motion of the iron will distort the fabric.)

Pressing, no, ironing...UGH!

Buy yourself a June Tailor Half/Quarter Square Triangle ruler and you will have PERFECT ones each and every time. Cut your swatch of fabric about an inch bigger than the finished one you want (maybe less), use the ruler to mark the SEWING lines, not the cutting line. So much more accurate and easier than trying to stay 1/4 inch from the cutting line. You can use the ruler to zip cut the two apart, press it, and then square it up to a perfect half or quarter square. I had so much trouble with these before I got this ruler. Now, I don't know how I could live without it. Her rulers, including the Pro Shape Cut ruler, have laser cut lines where your rotary cutter glides down, never straying off to the side. Quick. Zip, zip, zip. The only problem with these rulers is that the cutter nicks the teardrop making it difficult to do any zip, zipping. I keep an exacto knife close by, and with the littlest of effort, smooth off the teardrop making it brand new again.

I got this link today from F&P on my facebook page. It is pretty nifty and I never thought about doing it this way. This video shows how to make 1 1/4" squares but you could adapt the strip widths for larger HST blocks.

http://www.fonsandporter.com/articles/bias_strip_piecing


Here is a tutorial I found that makes 4 HST at once. http://www.cascadequilts.com/2010/04...m-2-charm.html

Sorry you got into such a pickle. That's the problem with some of the clever and quick methods. Make more trouble than they are worth. I would not press the seams after the last cut. Just match the seams in whatever method you choose, open or butted, pin and sew with minimal handling. It's a pain in the neck, but you will master this after a few tries. Be cool and patient, I know you can do it! Good luck.

It sounds like you have pre-cut your triangles. Looks to me like the directions tell you to put 2 squares together, mark center diagonliy and then sew 1/4" on each side of line. then cut on line this should give you a square when pressed and open up. This is probably the easist and most commonly used method

The method on that site is for quarter square triangles and it sounds like you want half square triangles. Here's a link on that same site for half square triangles: http://www.patchwork-and-quilting.co...triangles.html.