Having problems with half square triangles
 

When I sew 2 squares together to make half square triangles somehow I lose the 1/4" seam allowance, what am I doing wrong. Hope this is clear

Maybe a picture will help. I bought one of those F&P rulers so you just line up the center line with each corner, then draw a line on each side of the 1/4" wide ruler. Then you sew on each line and then after pressing and trimming, you have two perfect HST. This is what works for me. I hope that you can find l work best for you. Have you tried the paper triangles called Thangles??

Bbeyes, I am wondering if perhaps you are sewing your stitch line on the diagonal line from corner to corner?? The center diagonal line should be your cutting line, not your stitching line. In other words, if you draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on your square, you should stitch two lines 1/4" on either side of your drawn line, then cut directly on your drawn line. Maniac's picture shows this.

I have one of those rulers and use it the way Jeanne suggested.

Oh, I must be brain dead or something as I can never get them to come out perfectly. Seems like I've tried everything and the only thing that gives me a perfect outcome is paper piecing. I've come to accept that I may never be the perfect quilter and now I don't stress out over it any more.

Sometimes it is best to draw your lines. The center ( cutting line) and the stitching lines on each side of the cutting line, 1/4" from the center. Then, pin if you need to in order to hold the pieces together. Slow down your stitching. The few minutes it takes to do the prep work can help a lot! With time & practice they will become easier & easier ( and more precise)

Even with the diagonal lines, etc. - I still have MUCH better results when I cut the squares one inch larger than when I cut them only 7/8 inch larger than the finished size.

I need to trim the HST units - but by only a few threads. When I cut the squares only 7/8 inch larger, the HST units almost always turn out skimpy.

http://www.mqgvictoria.com/2014/06/hst-tutorial.html

My Guild did a charity project using HST. The above link takes you to the various tutorials we had for making the HST blocks. I used the one that made 8 at a time. I did oversize my blocks and trim as I am not accurate enough to have 8 come out perfectly. I think I started with my original squares 1/2 inch larger.

By making 8 at a time the bias was on the diagonal seam and the outside edges were straight of grain.

I use the disk Triangulations. I love it. It makes it so easy and exact!

I make them bigger and then use my loc-bloc ruler to trim them down to size. I can never get a decent hst using exact sizes.

I use this I love it https://www.fabric.com/buy/nr-4108/j...hNchoCuz3w_wcB

It is very hard to get a perfect hst to make perfect points, corners or whatever. It helps to starch your fabric before cutting out squares and then mark them and sew 1/4 on each side. Then trim to the size you want. Some people are not so picky about everything matching so you could go that way. I do my best and then not worry about it. Whatever find what works for you and have fun.

I wonder if you are starting with the finished size of the square. If you are make the first squares 1" larger than finished size. Then using maniacquilter2 instructions make new square and trim to size.

Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. Then draw another line 1/4 in. from that first line. Sew just inside the 2nd. line.Cut on the first line. Press to the dark. Square up if necessary. When you sew "just inside the second line",you have a scant 1/4 in.. This works for me. Don't get hung up on perfect.

This is my method as well. Far easier in the long run than dealing with that silly 7/8" measurement.

You have to add 7/8 inch to get the correct size

I don't understand what you mean by losing the 1/4" allowance. A picture of your hst would be a big help in finding an answer for you.

Don't beat yourself up so badly. I think we all have a stumbling block at one time or another. I know I do. Good luck.

I use the 8 at a time method like tothill suggested. I also have a feeling they may be getting warped or stretched when you press. I don't use steam, but here are some really helpful tips on how to press: http://www.mccallsquilting.com/mccal...icles/pressing

I cut 1/2 larger square,draw line corner to corner,have a 1/4 in presser foot, place edge of foot on drawn line and sew on each side of line. makes a perfect hst every time.

Thanks Tothill for all the tute on all the different methods. I will have to try the 8 from one square method.

I love the 8 at a time method! I use an inch rather than a 7/8. I find I am more accurate with the larger sizes (i.e. start with 10" squares to make 8 - 4.5" unfinished) with very little trimming. If I'm doing under 3 inch finished I use paper piecing.

There is also a method to trim them before opening them up, which really cuts down the trimming. I can't for the life of me think of the name. I'll need to search my pins!

Edited to add: Found it!
http://www.littlemissshabby.com/2014...hst-technique/

Thanks to ManiacQuilter2 for the demonstration using the Fons and Porter tool. I had not seen this tool but it seems like a handy one to have so I am going to get one.

This is how I do mine also, love this ruler, have the set of 2, one longer than the other, worth every penny to me!

I don't think I was clear its not down the center I have the problem its when I sew that piece with the 2 colors to another square I lose the point like trying to make stars. i have been printing the Block of the Day patterns but they have you cutting all those little pieces and I was trying to simplify it by doing the 2 fabrics together adding the 7/8" to the square and that worked okay but its when I joined it to another square I lost the point. Was trying to make it easier than working with those little pieces.

Thank you I will try this

You are worried about not having the 1/4" seam allowance? Most of us are worried about the size of the block. As long as I have at least 1/8" seam allowances and my blocks are the right size, I am happy.

I usually make my half triangles at least 1/2 inch larger. It's easier to square up. Of course if you're making many half triangles I like to use Thangles.

Sorry I don't know how to send pictures yet.

Thank you very much all you wonderful ladies, I think I have it now.

The Eleanor Burns method works for me. Makes 8 at a time and the ruler is simple to use as you make one cut to sq. up. They are always perfect. Showed her method at a meeting and everyone was ready to buy the ruler.