to make HST, I cut 2 squares about an 1/8 inch larger than the pattern calls for, draw diagonally line, sew 1/4 in on each side of line, cut on draw line. You will have 2 HST. BUT before you press open, I use Quilt in a Day HST square up ruler, after trimming to correct size, then press open. This ruler is for HST from 1 1/2 in. to 6 1/2 in.

I totally agree with what you said about the template being a bit too close to ones fingers; blood on my fabric is
not what I want.
I sometimes make HSTs larger than her templates are.
I use "Triangles on a Roll "

I am not able to down this tute BUT I just saw a Tute on another quilt board and all they did was take two squares the size you want to work with. Place them right sides together and sew around all side, thats right all four sides.
Then put you ruler corner to corner and cut, very careful not to move the pieces , cut from the other side corner to corner , in other words a criss cross cut. Viola !
you have 4- 1/2 square triangles . I did a quick tute on this today at my line dance class and everyone was very suprised and happy to know how to do it. Our teacher is a beginning quilter . I think it is the easiest way I have ever made them.

MNM

4 MNM... sounds easy, so that means that where you cut, all the seams after that will be on the bias !!! You will have to be careful....

You are OH so right and you have to be careful when you iron them open, don't stretch them. Can be done if you are careful. And they are very fast to make and mine seem to be all the same size and fit together just great.

MNM

I use the Wondercut Ruler also. It is just great and the fastest way I've found to make hst's.

I have been using the technique someone posted on the board where you cut say a 4" square and sew 1/4 all the way around it then cut it in quarters corner to corner. Works perfect. Look for the post they have all the math done. I love it.

[quote=Rachelcb80]Everyone keeps mentioning making HST's without marking on the fabric. What method (other than cutting each triangle individually) allows you to make HST's without marking a seam line?]

I cut squares, put them face to face, sew 1/4" from the edge all the way around, cut it from corner to corner in an X, and I have 4 perfect HSTs.

I cut two long strips - right sides together - stitch 1/4" seam on each long side and cut triangles (turning material with each cut). Press open and trim to size. The corner 1/4" seam at the point of each the triangle is pulled apart.

LOL Yours and mine too!! I use and swear by Rhonda's methods. I'm just a beginner but they work for me every time. And there is nothing to buy, and nothing to try to find when you are ready to make them except your ruler and cutter.
Also, someone posted a wonderful graph telling what size square to start with to end up with each different size HST.
Sorry I'm in a fibrofog just now so I can't find any of the links to share but they are on the board if you search.