Half Square Triangles....Help Please
 

I don't have trouble making HSTs,but getting them in a block where the seams don't eat the points is a chore.
I usually make 4 at a time,but can make them by sewing triangles together.Press,check diagonal seam,then trim.
What am I missing? Would like to make a quilt using HSTs,but want to see the points.:D

Maybe your block design requires the infamous scant 1/4" seam. Also, make sure to press the HSTs well. If the seams get too bulky you could press them open. I hardly ever lose a point (drives me mad when I do).

Either your joining seam is larger than 1/4" or you are "trimming"them too small before you join them. Try doing the scant 1/4" seam that might help you

One trick I use is to sew from the BACK. That way, you'll see where your lines of stitching need to intersect, so you won't lose the point of your HST. Let me know if it works for you!

Jane

Personally I do not like the 4-at-time method; you end up with bias edges. I prefer to do the pencil line down the center and sewing 1/4 " seam on each side. I also cut my squares a little larger then square them up after sewing them together.

this is my thought on it also. but, like jane, i sew from the back to make sure i sew 1 thread outside of the intersection so the point just meets the fold.

I use the Nifty Notions half square and quarter square rulers by Kaye England. Just cut and sew triangles together. No need for pencil marks or those pesky 1/8 inch odd size squares. Then sew from the backside, as suggested here, when joining

Jane I do all my seams where there is a point to keep this way.it is amazing how off some would be if done from the other side. I also spray startch triangle shapes only to avoid movement when pressing.

I do not like the 4 at a time either. I always make my hst's with two over sized squares, diagonal drawn - two seams down the middle 1/4" from diagonal. I always press to the same side then then I then trim down to size using a ruler with a 45 degree angle line held on the seam.

Assembling the hsts / blocks so I do not loose the "points", I use a sharp pin stabbed vertically through the two spots I wish to match- holding that pin vertical, I then pin either side of it no more than 1/4" inch away (holding the fabric exactly where I want it to be - does this make any sense??). I use this method on Pinwheels as well to get a perfect center.

I do not often miss my points with this method. Good luck!!

I agree! This is how I do it!

I also sew the seam from the back so I can see where the point is. Also you can "float" you point by squaring the block 1/2" larger than needed so when peicing the points do not touch the edge. This is the method I used for Elenor Burn's winning hand quilt. Using this method may meen that you have to adjust the size of other blocks. The "floating " points have a nice look.

What does sewing from the back mean? You don't You don't put right sides together to sew? Sorry if I sound dumb,I feel dumb for sure! :(

By sewing from the back I mean right sides together but I sew with the side with the HST up so I can see the points and then sew so I do not cut the point off/sewing into the seam of the point. It is important to try to keep the 1/4" seam but sometime it may be nesessary to make seam slightly small to save the point. It does get trick when both sides of fabric have HST. Understand?

the biggest problem most people don't watch for is making sure the seam has an even amt of fabric on each side of the seam on the points. this will make your points go wonky.

Here is my tutorial on how to keep your points and troubleshooting ideas to fix your points.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...ts-t23252.html

That makes sense.Have saved this thread with all the good tips,will also check out Ronda's info.

I agree with Joyce888 and others. If it calls for a block size of 3 and 7/8 to make a 3 and 1/2 square I cut the square at 4 in. it gives me just enough to square it up. I, too, am a pencil down the center sewer of half square triangles. Squaring them up is key to a perfect quilt. I also use the idea of sewing on the back to see where the seams are.

I'm careful about making my hst and even more careful about sewing them in the seam. I just did Bonnie Hunters mystery and every point was right on - I was soooo proud.

Accuracy is the key to getting the points right. If you take the time to cut accurately and take the time to fix anything that isn't straight and accurate then you will get good points. this is not a place to say oh well it's good enough. Biggest thing is to make sure you have a 1/4" seam allowance left between where your seams meet and the edge of your fabric when you join hsts.

When I see a quilt block that doesn't have enough seam allowance left on the edges you know the points will be lost when it is sewn to another quilt block. This usually is a quick fix if you just tighten your seams.

there is a DVD called "Triangulations" by Brenda Henning, that makes HST and QST very easy, and no trimming needed.
you print up a page for the size you want... use the 2 large pieces of fabrics the size of the paper ....paper on top... you stitch and then cut. press, and perfect HST and QST

I dont know where I learned this but i sew the square around all 4 sides, basically sewing it shut. Then cut diagonally from corner to corner twice. You end up with 4 pieces. Then I square them up from there, then press them open. They turn out perfect every time.