I do not like to cut triangles! How's that for plain, simple and the truth??? But I love to make, sew and cut the half square triangles. Could someone, for me, tell me how to know. eg., if I am going to make a half square triangle for a 12" block and need 3-1/2" squares, when they are sewn together, cut and pressed they will come out at 3". Ok, I got that! Right? I can't for the life of me figure out how to come up with the measurements for a 6" block, 8" block, 10" block. What size do I make the squares for those size blocks? I sound like a complete idiot, but I just cannot figure it out! HELP! Edie

PS - For all you Louisianians, Minnesota has arrived! Go Vikes!!!!!!!

Just now I have started a "Hole in the Barn Door" quilt, that calls for half square triangles. I noticed that it calls for the squares to be 4 7/8 in order to match up with a 4 1/2 piece next to it. This would mean add 3/8 inch to the square that will be cut to a triangle. I am pretty sure that this would hold true for any size, but just to be sure, let some of the more experienced than me, back this up before you start cutting. :-)

I had 1 inch to the finished size I want the square to be. For a HST that needs to be 3.5 inches, I cut two squares at 4.5 inches. I sew 1/4 inch on each side of the diagonal, cut and press. Then I square it back up.

There is a bit to trim, but I never end up short. Maybe when I'm a grown up quilter instead of a Wanna_B I won't have to allow so much fudge room.

let me see if i can find a graph for you..i know i have one for setting triangles..

If you use the Quilt in a Day triangle sq up ruler you will get measurements for all sizes of HST and quarter triangles.
Very easy to do and you only make one cut to square up your triangles. And you can make 8 at a time. It was the best investment I ever made. Love El Burns methods.

A half square triangle square is cut 7/8" larger than the finished square. For example, your half square triangles finish at 8" so your starting square would be 8 7/8". Draw a line down the center on the wrong side, sew 1/4" on each side of the line, cut on the line, press toward the dark. The square SHOULD now measure 8 1/2" because of seam allowances.

BUT, I always cut mine to 9" and square them up. By this I mean, I would sew my pairs of triangles together and then trim them to a perfect 8 1/2" to finish at 8" after seam allowances. This is a lot more accurate and in the end you will be a lot happier with your quilt.

I found this one:

http://www.karencombs.com/setting_triang.htm

Exacty how i do it..cut up to the next inch. so much simpler..

Check out this link - it has wonderful illustrations to make it simple to get the HST sizes you need.

http://www.karencombs.com/formulas_for_quilters.htm

Good luck.

I posted this before but it is such a great method. For 2 1/2 inch HST cut two fabric squares 6 inchs. For 3 1/2 cut the squares 8 inchs. You can see that each size is a 2 inch difference. Then you draw an x from the corners. Sew 1/4 inch on each side of the lines. Press to set stitchs then measure in from both sides half of the square (for 6 inch sq it is 3 in) and cut in half both ways + . Dont move block, now cut on the drawn lines and you will have 8 HST. Use the Quilt in a Day trianle square up ruler if you only want to make one cut to square up. Otherwise square up as usual. With the ruler you lay the ruler line on the stitch line before opening the block and make one cut. Perfect HST every time.