I know HST has been a topic many times but maybe my mistakes can help someone else!

First, I starched and ironed all my fabric before I cut it.

Then I cut 4 1/2 " squaures and marked the diagonal line.

Now where I made my first mistake - I chain stitched them. Stitched with the line on the left side of the foot. Then stitched with the line on the right side of my foot.

Now this is where my mistake became visible - both sides of my foot are not equal! When I laid my ruler on the line to make the cut, I found that one side was bigger than the other.

So I cut them anyhow, Pressed them open and then squared them up. I am down to 3 3/4" squares now.

One good thing happened - I glued a bit of sandpaper under my ruler so it wouldn't slip. I need to put a new blade on now but with all the problems I have been having, I think I better finish up where I am at. . . . .

What's that old saying - MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE!!!

I found this website not long ago. It explains triangles never come out the same size. It's new concept in rulers that I haven't seen before. http://www.finishedsizequilting.com/

I recently took a class on Power Cutting, and the whole thing was about NOT using the cut bigger squares, center mark, two seams, cut apart method. They always come out wonky, no matter how careful I am and how accurate my cutting and pressing and measuring. I am now back to cutting single triangles and sewing together one half square at a time. I just made a quilt to with a bunch of them, and for the first time I didn't have to square up or take apart any HSTs. They are all really good and square.

There are skinny rulers that help do this for you. You center the points of the fabric on the center of the ruler, and mark either side. Sew on the lines, then cut in the middle. Works great! I think I got the Fons & Porter ones, but I'm sure others must be out there too. This is what they look like:
http://www.shopfonsandporter.com/pro...il/FPR7845.htm

I actually like the method where I add 1" to the finished size and sew two HSTs to cut apart. I only mark the sewing lines - not the cutting lines and I string piece. That way, I don't have to worry about being perfect on that scant 1/4" AND since I have to trim the darn points off anyway, why not trim the square? But that is HSTs and me.

I agree with MadQuilter-that's exactly how I do it. I just finished a queen-sized quilt that was almost all HSTs. I used the F&P ruler thingy and just marked sewing lines. Once I squared them up to the correct size they all matched up perfectly. Just my humble opinion of course!

looks interesting

Was it Rhonda or Eddie who did a tutorial where you do Mad's Method & just sew the two sewing lines, then cut apart? I used that method on a stack of 10" layer cake pieces, as well as 5" charm pieces. I sewed one side then kept the production going also, then there's no expense or headaches with additional rulers. I'm sorry, but I'm from the old school...if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Seems to me another gimmick to make someone a pot of gold off quilters.

I am fine without the ruler gadget too. I just trim the dog ears. Don't really have to square much up. I think the key is to remember to let the machine do the work and don't stretch the fabric.

For many a new tool may be seen as a gimmick but I have found that many times a special tool makes my quilting easier and lessens the frustration. I always have an open mind when a new quilting tool comes on the market. I may not need it to do the job but I am all for trying a better mousetrap.